The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 6

Keen scrunched up his little face, saying, "My stomach has gotten a lot better. The doctor said it's okay to have a little sometimes. But Mom always wants to control and make me do what she says."

Hearing the word "control" out of a five-year-old's mouth felt oddly mature.

As Haynes was about to respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

He answered, and Rachel's voice came through the line somewhat hesitantly. "Haynes, are you home now?"

"Yeah, I'm."

"And is Ms. Cameron back yet?" asked Rachel.

Haynes paused. "Why do you ask?"

"Well," Rachel stammered, "I saw Ms. Cameron. She's having dinner with a young man, and they seem pretty close."

There was a brief silence before Rachel cautiously added, "Do you think something happened earlier today that upset her? Maybe you should try talking things over with her?"

Haynes' expression darkened. Stella ditching dinner at home to meet another man was not what he expected.

His voice turned colder. "Where is she now?"

Rachel provided an address.

"Got it," Haynes said curtly before hanging up.

...

Inside a small diner, Antoney Watson watched Stella intently. "Have you made up your mind?" he asked.

Stella nodded. "Nocturne Stella is a piece my mom had composed for me, and I've put it on hold for the family for five years."