The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Haynes's tone turned icy. "That's ridiculous. Why would I even have a girlfriend?"

As he spoke, he looked up, catching Stella's reflection in the rearview mirror.

Stella, however, was listening intently to Marvin, seemingly oblivious to Neville's teasing.

Neville smirked, shooting Haynes a knowing look. "Well, if you're not seeing anyone, then whose lipstick is this? Belongs to a lady friend, maybe?"

"Neville." Haynes's voice dropped several degrees colder. "If you keep running your mouth, you can get out and walk."

Neville just laughed, unbothered. "Alright, alright, I'll drop it."

Just then, Haynes's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, frowned, and declined the call without hesitation.

Five minutes later, the phone rang again. This time, he silenced it without even looking.

Ten minutes passed in uneasy quiet before the screen lit up once more.

Neville finally spoke up. "Mr. O'Brien, aren't you going to answer your phone?" Haynes shot him a withering glare. "I'm driving. Not a good time."

"I could answer it for you, if you want," Neville offered, sounding almost helpful. Haynes's reply was glacial. "That won't be necessary."

Neville pressed on, feigning concern. "What if it's urgent? Wouldn't want to miss something important."

Haynes kept his eyes on the road, his expression unreadable. "It's none of your business. You'd do well to mind your own affairs, Mr. Connolly."

Neville just smiled, unfazed, and let the matter drop.

But before long, Keen's smartwatch began to ring.

Haynes, still driving, tensed. Before he could say anything, Keen had already answered.

"Rachel?"

Rachel's gentle voice came through the speaker. "Keen, are you with your dad right now?"

Keen looked at Haynes behind the wheel and nodded earnestly. "Yes, I am. Dad's driving."

"Are you two headed somewhere?"

"We're going to the amusement park."

Rachel sounded pleased. "Which one? Maybe I'll come join you."

Keen hesitated, clearly caught off guard. "Well..."

Before he could refuse, Rachel jumped in. "Actually, I left my lipstick in Haynes's

car. I'll swing by to pick it up."

Keen was still struggling for words when Neville let out a quiet chuckle.

"Mr. O'Brien, didn't you say that lipstick didn't belong to Ms. Pearce?"

On the other end, Rachel seemed startled, clearly recognizing Neville's voice "Keen, besides your dad, who else is with you?"

Keen answered honestly, "Mom, Mr. Connolly, and Marvin."

Rachel was silent for a while, clearly taken aback. "You're all... going to the amusement park together?"

Neville and his son, Haynes and his

son, and Stella-all off to an

odd group, to say the leastnoveldrama

amusement park together?

"Yes, Rachel," Keen replied.

an

Even knowing Stella and Neville's family would be there, Rachel wasn't about to pass up this chance. She'd left her lipstick in Haynes's car on purpose-just so she'd have a reason to see him again.

She pushed her luck. "So, which amusement park are you going to? I'll come grab my lipstick."

Keen glanced at Stella, unsure whether he should answer.

At that moment, Stella spoke up.