The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Simone Lerman glanced at the paintings hanging on the wall.

She was surprised to find that each one was signed, "Summer."

Two of these paintings, she recalled, had hung for years in her eldest brother's study back when she still lived with the Lerman family. The images were familiar, though she'd never paid them much mind before-art was never really her thing.

But now, standing in Leonard Lerman's study, Simone found herself lingering over the painting she and Aurora Williams had seen at the auction, the one titled *Nightfall*. She hadn't expected Leonard to bring those old paintings from the Lerman family estate to his new home as well.

Clearly, Leonard cherished them.

When it came to discussing things he cared about, Leonard—usually so reserved and cold—became unexpectedly talkative. The somber air about him seemed to lift, if only a little.

He told her, "The first time I saw Summer's work, I just knew this artist would be someone exceptional one day. Back then, he was barely known, and his work wasn't expensive. I hadn't inherited the Lerman estate yet, so I couldn't afford any of the truly famous pieces."

anyone who loves art, collecting paintings

his own family. His life was harsher than most people's. He couldn't afford the paintings he liked, and the ones he could

After that, whenever Summer released a new painting, I was always the first to snatch it up. But as things changed and I became embroiled in the family's power struggles, I no longer had the time or energy to keep up with the art world. It wasn't until I finally became head of the family that I started searching again, trying to find every painting Summer had ever done. But there aren't many of his works in circulation, and it seems he hasn't produced anything new

valued Summer's paintings so highly-they'd been a source of comfort

wanting to meet him someday,

regret flickered in Leonard's eyes as he replied, "I've looked into Summer's whereabouts for ages. The dealer who sold me his work said they lost contact five

was only at moments like this that her brother

asked, "What was it you wanted to tell me

hesitated, then decided to come clean. Leonard, the truth is, I'm the one who revealed Stella Cameron's parentage. Aurora said Stella's about to be brought back into the Williams family. But of Stella returns, people will start questioning Aurora's place there. The Williams family is planning to release some ambiguous statements before Stella comes back, but I figured instead of letting them dance around the issue, I'd help Aurora out and bring

was

of guilt. "I never expected it would cause Aurora so much trouble. And I definitely didn't think Stella would