The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Mr. Burton could see right through Marvin's little scheme.

Chuckling, he ruffled Marvin's hair. "Relax. Stella and the Watson boy are just close family friends. There's nothing romantic there, and your dad won't have any competition from him."

He grinned, then leaned in conspiratorially. "If you need to be worried about anyone, it's not Mr. Watson-it's Stella's ex-husband."

The group laughed, the conversation light and easy.

But unexpectedly, Joshua-usually so cheerful and talkative-sat in silence the whole time, not saying a single word.

Neville sensed something was off, but tonight was Stella's concert, and he didn't have the energy to worry about anything else. There were already too many things on his mind.

Besides, onstage, Stella was dazzling.

She wore a deep burgundy mermaid gown that hugged her figure perfectly. Already beautiful, tonight her careful styling made her utterly breathtaking.

With her Nocturne Stella violin in hand, she moved with grace and poise, every gesture radiating elegance. It was as if she was bathed in a halo of light- impossible to look away from, like a star shining in the night sky.

In the audience, Haynes O'Brien stared at the woman on stage-so familiar, yet suddenly a little strange.

For the first time, he understood what Keen O'Brien had always felt.

She was born for the stage.

To hide that brilliance and force her back to the life she used to live would be a terrible waste.

then, Haynes made up his mind: from now on, he would do everything he

several more of her

all her original work, the

never heard these songs before—they're so good, and

not just a performer, she writes her

definitely the

these original

yearet

win the

taking home

to change,

onto the stage to

eyes widened

she doing at Stella's concert? Lauretta's a star in the business she's

to support Stella?

already knew about the arrangement, didn't

really is

to Neo-Vespera

both

makes

"Aurora said lightly

wasn't convinced.