The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Neville glanced at the couple not far away and chuckled softly. "I'll leave them to their own world—third-wheeling isn't my style. Besides, I've never ridden a carousel before. I want to see what it's like."

Catching his gaze, Stella replied calmly, "Rachel's health isn't great. Rides like the carousel aren't really an option for her-she gets dizzy easily."

"There was this one time we took Keen to the park. He insisted Rachel ride the carousel with him. She ended up passing out and had to be taken to the hospital. Keen's dad scolded him pretty harshly afterward."

Back then, Haynes had been tied up at work and hadn't come along. But the moment he heard Rachel had fainted, he dropped everything-even a meeting- and rushed to the hospital.noveldrama

Stella herself had caught heat from Haynes that day, too.

His logic was simple: "Kids don't know any better, but adults should. Why would you let Rachel go on a ride like that?"

Stella remembered feeling both incredulous and wronged. Sure, Keen might not have understood Rachel's condition, but Rachel herself certainly did. If she couldn't handle the ride, why hadn't she spoken up?

Neville's voice was low, edged with concern. "Star, you've put up with a lot, haven't you? Especially being around him."

Stella gave a wry, self-mocking smile. "Looking back, I'm basically a ninja turtle. Nothing could take me down."

Her humor drew a laugh from Neville, but his eyes grew more serious than usual as he looked at her-warmth giving way to something deeper, more earnest.

"I'm the kind of guy who's fiercely protective of the people I care about. Especially my woman. I can't stand seeing the people I love get hurt, Star. Not all men are like Haynes."

His gaze lingered on her, as if, in that moment, she was the only person in the world.

Haynes, meanwhile, had been delayed by Rachel. By the time he arrived, this was the scene he found: Stella and Neville, sitting together in a pumpkin-shaped carriage, gazing at each other with unmistakable affection.

From where he stood, Haynes could see the admiration and fondness in Neville's eyes-an expression he'd often seen turned on him by women confessing their feelings. That look of genuine attraction, reserved for someone who truly shined

At first, Haynes had always considered Stella to be just a pretty face. Now, watching Neville's captivated expression, it struck him: she could actually attract othe

men men who saw her value, who were drawn to her light.

A cold pang of panic twisted in his chest—a feeling he'd never experienced before. It was as if something precious to him was about to be taken away.

He'd always believed that, without him, Stella would never find someone better. They had Keen between them, after all; he'd

assumed she would eventual net

come back to him. That confidence had always seemed unshakeable.

But now he noticed: Stella wasn't lacking for admirers. Neville. Antoney Watson. Noah. Even Joshua, whom Haynes had always dismissed as useless, seemed to have feelings for Stella.

How many more were there, ones he didn't even know about?

None of them seemed to care that Stella had been married, or that she had a child.

Haynes's breath came quicker, his eyes growing as cold and sharp as steel. For a moment, he looked like he might explode.

Stella sensed the tension, her heart skipping a beat. She instinctively avoided his gaze, only to run straight into Haynes's stormy, brooding stare. She frowned, exasperated, and turned back to Neville.

Seeing this, Haynes's hands curled into fists. He strode toward Stella, determination etched in every line of his face.