The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella noticed Keen sitting beside Aurora, laughing as he chatted with her.

As Stella's thoughts drifted, a bright, delicate voice chimed in right next to her.

The voice was full of excitement and surprise. "Haynie, Keen! You came to watch me compete?"

Before Stella could respond, a flash of white darted past her.

Rachel flung her arms around Keen. "Keen, it's been ages since I saw you and Rachel. Did you miss me?"

Keen had been busy talking to Aurora about ice skating and hadn't even noticed Rachel's arrival.

Caught off guard by Rachel's enthusiastic hug, he stared at her in surprise.

"Rachel, when did you get here?"

The preliminary round was organized by groups, and they had all come to support Stella's event, never noticing which group Rachel was in.

Rachel didn't seem to care, simply grinning. "I just finished my round and spotted you and your dad right away."

Her voice was light and cheerful. "Keen, how about I treat you to some ice cream after? My treat!"

Kids always struggled to resist sweets and cold treats.

And the less often they had them, the more they craved them.

Sure enough, Keen swallowed instinctively.

He was about to say yes when Aurora spoke up first.

"Ms. Pearce, Keen is lactose intolerant. Most of the milkshakes and ice cream at those places aren't suitable for him."

Rachel's smile faltered as she finally seemed to notice Aurora.

She managed an awkward little laugh. "Don't worry, Ms. Williams. I'll be careful not to pick anything Keen's allergic to..."

Before she could finish, Aurora interrupted coolly.

"Ms. Pearce, Keen has a sensitive stomach. Too many cold treats will upset his digestion and aren't good for his health."

She then turned to Haynes.

"Mr. O'Brien, you're Keen's father. I know it's not really my place to say this, but can't stand by and watch a child develop lifelong stomach. problems because of simple carelessness. If you don't take care of his health now, these issues will follow him for years."

For once, Aurora's expression was genuinely serious.

"As a father, you can't just worry about his grades. His health matters, too."

Instead of being annoyed, Keen looked a little lost, almost dazed by her words.

He suddenly remembered his mother saying the same things in the past.

Back then, he'd just found her nagging...

Haynes was about to reply when, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar figure.

His attention shifted as he turned to look.

Stella stood quietly nearby. Who knew how long she'd been there, watching?

Her face gave nothing away, impossible to tell what she was thinking.

"Star." Haynes's voice was low and rough.

Aurora's words had stirred a flood of old memories-things Haynes had ignored for too long.

She used to make him herbal stews and remind him to avoid cold foods.noveldrama

She'd insist on regular meals.

Every morning, she'd get up early just to make him breakfast.

When his stomach was at its Stella even brought food

Foffice, asking Benson torst

Back then, it all seemed so ordinary.

Now, there was no one left to do any of that.

it.

Whenever his stomach ached, little details from the past would slip back into his mind.

Stella walked over. "Ms. Williams, Miss Lerman, you're both here?"

Aurora didn't hesitate. "I wanted to

see how the Novaris Cotonet

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Mr. O'Brien and Keen."

SWI