The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

A sly, almost mocking smile played at the corners of Leonard Lerman's mouth.

"This violin may just be a relic, but its former owner was, in a roundabout way, responsible for Aurora Williams losing her mother. Smashing it to pieces-that might offer a little comfort to Aurora's mother, wherever she is now."

Leonard moved with the practiced confidence of someone who'd trained his whole life; his strength was undeniable.

Stella Cameron could only watch in horror as the violin-her beloved Nocturne Stella-splintered bit by bit right in front of her eyes.

"Let me go! Let me go, you bastards!" she shouted, fighting to break free, but the bodyguards at her side held her fast, their grips unyielding.

The violin snapped clean in two before her, jagged wood chips scattering across the floor. Stella stared at Leonard, her gaze darkening with hatred.

Leonard had seen that look countless times before; it didn't faze him in the slightest. In fact, his grin only widened, sparkling with the childish delight of someone who'd just found a new favorite toy.

"I pointed a gun at your head, and you didn't even flinch. But a violin? That's what finally gets to you? Is it really worth more to you than your own life?"

shimmered in Stella's eyes, but she fought to keep them from falling. Tears were useless-her mother had taught her that. She bit down hard, refusing to give him the

this. But look at you without a man to fight

"You say I rely on men, but what about you? Isn't your whole life propped up by your family's power? If you can't stand on your own, what makes

with mock affection as if she were a pet. "You know, you almost make

and I almost forgot—I love seeing you like

fell to the ruined violin at her feet, her eyes bloodshot with rage and grief. Her voice came out as a strangled whisper, forced through clenched teeth. "So just because you think I tarnished Aurora's reputation, you decided

matter. Let's just call it a bit of insurance for Aurora getting rid of a potential

Lerman and Aurora despise them was

hope and fear warring in her chest. She had a sinking feeling that she wouldn't

...

Solmaris, the Williams estate.

arm from when she shielded Simone from the acid attack. Leonard had pulled every string to assemble the best