The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

The air felt thick, as if time itself had frozen.

It was a long moment before Skyler finally spoke. "Star, your father will take care

of this. You've been through enough of a shock today-go home and get some rest."

Stella rose to her feet. "Alright, then I won't keep you any longer."

She and Joshua left the room.

As soon as they were gone, Skyler turned on Israel and Coleman, his anger barely contained.

"You two are absolutely useless! One can't keep his cool, the other jumps at every rumor. You sent men out in broad daylight to chase down your own sister! If word gets out, we'll be the laughingstock of the entire city!"

Israel and Coleman hung their heads, not daring to reply. It was true-the mess they'd created today was a direct result of their own poor judgment.

Skyler lectured them a while longer before finally dismissing them.

Out in the hallway, Aurora addressed the group. "I just talked to Queenie. Sellers has been found—he's in the hospital now. I'm going to check on him.”

"Let me drive you. I should see

working relationship and had collaborated on more than one

Aurora nodded her agreement.

drove straight

sight that met them was shocking: Sellers was battered from head to toe, barely a patch of uninjured skin left. Even his once-handsome face was

"Sellers... how did this happen to

unconscious. We don't know the

and Aurora had been roommates back in college,

had a classic,

eyes that seemed to shimmer with flecks of starlight warm, luminous, and full of life When she smiled, dimples formed in

softness and warmth, a gentle contrast to the bolder allure of women like Aurora or Simone Lerman. Yet, Queenie was never

his shock. "Sellers is

Who on earth would dare put him through this?

replied, "In Sandford, just outside

echoed, her gaze sharpening. "Wasn't that the

won't know more until he wakes