The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella shook her head. "My brother and I have practiced together since we were kids. We're completely in sync."

Candida smiled. "Good, as long as there's no problem."

Abby, remembering the incident with the kidnapping, asked, "Star, did they ever catch that kidnapper?"

Stella replied, "Mr. Connolly said not yet.

He's been keeping an eye on things for me, even checked with the local police, but they haven't caught anyone either.

It's been so long now... I doubt they ever will."

Abby rolled her eyes. "Can you believe Rachel, trying to pin the whole kidnapping mess on you? She's got some nerve!

She's nowhere near as pretty as you, and her violin skills can't compare-she's not even close. I honestly don't get what Haynes sees in her."

Stella's tone was indifferent. "To each their own, I suppose. Everyone has their preferences."

After Abby grumbled a bit more about Rachel, the group let the subject drop, and no one brought up Rachel again.

When lunch was over, Stella went back to practicing the violin.

Joshua settled onto the sofa, quietly watching her as she played, his gaze growing thoughtful.

This Stella... she wasn't anything like what Rachel had described. Rachel always made her out to be scheming, always looking for trouble, trying to make her life miserable. But with the whole kidnapping ordeal-even though Stella had to know Rachel was involved-she didn't seem interested in stirring up more drama. She almost looked as if she couldn't be bothered.

If Stella wasn't going to pursue it, then all the back-up plans he'd asked Lind to prepare were pointless. He'd been ready to make sure Stella wouldn't have a chance to fight back, but she wasn't even stepping up to the plate.

For the first time, Joshua realized his efforts had all been for nothing.

Yet, instead of feeling frustrated, he found it oddly intriguing.

He couldn't help but wonder-was this woman really as innocent as she seemed, or was she just playing a very convincing game?

Stella practiced the same piece over and over for nearly two hours before finally stopping. She picked up her sheet music and pen, ready to make some revisions, when she happened to notice Joshua still sitting in the practice room.

"Joshua, you're still here?"

Joshua was candid. "You play beautifully. I just wanted to listen a bit longer. Ms. Cameron, I hope I'm not bothering you?"

"Not at all," Stella replied, smiling. "It makes me happy that you enjoy it."

"What's the name of this piece? Is it one of your own?"

Over the past few days, while "helping out" in Stella's studio,

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Joshua had learned that most of the pieces she practiced were originals-composed by her and Antoney. Abby had even told him

that the piece that made Antoney

famous was actually Stella's composition.

Clearly, this woman was extraordinarily gifted.

Stella nodded. "I haven't named it yet. I want to finish the final score first."

Joshua said, “Don't mind me. Go ahead with your work."

Stella didn't have time for small talk anyway. She nodded and bent over her music, lost in concentration.

She became so absorbed in her revisions that it wasn't long before she forgot Joshua was even there.

Afternoon sunlight poured through the window, casting a golden glow acrosseStella's delicate, brighte features, making her look almost ethereal-breathtakingly beautiful.

Joshua had never cared much about appearances, but in that moment, even he had to admit: this woman was striking.noveldrama

What lay beneath that lovely face, though—whether she was truly kind or hiding something dark-he couldn't say.

Not that it mattered to him. Kindness was irrelevant, as long as she stayed away from the people he cared about.

Just as Stella finished her final edits, she became aware of his unblinking gaze, impossible to ignore.