The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Joshua shrugged. "It's nothing. I just thought something looked familiar, like we've met before somewhere."

Stella glanced at him. "Are you starting to get your memory back?"

Joshua was silent for a few moments. "Sometimes I have these strange, jumbled dreams, but it's hard to make sense of them or connect the pieces."

Stella offered a small, encouraging smile. "That's still a good sign. It means your memory is showing signs of recovery. Don't rush it—once the memories start to resurface, the rest usually follows pretty quickly."

They had only just begun their conversation when Haynes, who was showing Keen how to use a bow, noticed Joshua had returned. His brow furrowed in irritation.

He turned to Keen. "Keen, practice on your own for a bit. I'll be back to show you some new techniques later."

Keen nodded obediently, eager to keep practicing.

Haynes strode over to Stella and Joshua.

As soon as Stella saw Haynes approaching, her expression cooled instantly.

In five years of marriage, they had hardly gone out together at all. Now that they

were divorced, he suddenly seemed to have plenty of free time—always finding excuses to show up in her life.

Joshua, picking up on the tension, said tactfully, "Ms. Cameron, I'll go help Keen with his archery."

"Go ahead," Stella replied.noveldrama

Once Joshua had left, Stella lowered her gaze to her phone, pretending Haynes didn't exist.

Suddenly, a bottle of water appeared in front of her.

She looked up to see Haynes holding it out, the cap already twisted off.

"Have some water," he offered.

Stella's voice was cool. "No, thank you."

Haynes sat down across from her. "Star, do you really have to be so distant with me?"

She shot him an odd look. "We're divorced, Haynes. What did you expect? That I'd be warm and welcoming?"

Haynes seemed about to reply, but a sudden cheer and round of applause erupted from Keen's direction.

"Mr. Joshua, that was amazing!"

Stella's attention was drawn to the commotion. Joshua was standing with a bow, three arrows nocked at once.

He released, and all three arrows hit dead center on the target.

Keen stared at him in absolute awe, already itching to ask Joshua to be his mentor.

Haynes' face darkened.

That Joshua-he was definitely up to something.

There was no way he believed Joshua was hanging around Stella for no reason whatsoever. The moment Haynes managed to keep him away from Stella, Joshua turned his attention to Keen instead.

A man like that couldn't possibly be as simple as he seemed.

And the truth was, both Stella and Keen-who'd only just met him-trusted Joshua completely.

With this thought, Haynes turned to Stella. "Star, you can't keep letting someone like him hang around you. He's a stranger, and he's dangerous. Sooner or later, he's going to hurt you."

Stella replied evenly, "That's really none of your concern, Mr. O'Brien. I can take care of myself."

Haynes' tone grew harsher. "If you keep being so stubborn, you could end up putting Keen in danger too. Even if you don't care about yourself, can't you at least think about Keen?"

Stella stared at him. “So Neville's a bad guy, Joshua has some hidden agenda, and my old friend Antoney Watson is just stirring up trouble. Haynes-does every man in my life have to be a villain in your eyes?"

She didn't bother sugarcoating her words. "We have nothing to do with each other anymore, so maybe you should stop trying to control me. If Rachelsaw you like this, who knows? Her condition might just get worse."

Haynes started to protest, "Rachel and I—"

Before he could finish, a cheerful voice rang out unexpectedly.

"Haynie! I didn't know you were here too!"

Haynes turned, his expression twitching as he recognized the newcomer.

"Rachel? What are you doing here?"

Rachel smiled brightly. "Keen mentioned last time how much he loves archery, so

I thought I'd give it a try too. That way, next time, I can join him on the range!"