The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1855

Leonard said nothing.

Old Mr. Wyatt continued, "Son, that's not how you court a woman. Secretly watching her, secretly trying to talk to her—is that courting? That's stalking. You might enjoy it, but she doesn't feel a thing for you. And when she ignores you, you kidnap her? What were you thinking? You're lucky she doesn't hate your guts, let alone have feelings for you. You're a young man, you should have some romance in you. How are you even worse than an old codger like me?"

Leonard was silent for a moment before asking, "Then how should I pursue her?"

Old Mr. Wyatt said, "We'll talk about that after you've recovered. You look like you're at death's door. Who are you going to win over like this? Don't work yourself into an early grave."

Leonard fell silent again.

Old Mr. Wyatt, long accustomed to Leonard's reticence, grumbled a few more things about him being a lost cause before turning his attention back to planning the surgery.

***

Stella's surgery was soon put on the schedule.

At the same time, when Stella met with Lauretta, Lauretta told her the news of Aurora's impending engagement to McCoy.

Lauretta said, "With Jonathan in a coma, my engagement to him is at a standstill. The Chapman family initially wanted me to break it off with Jonathan and get engaged to Coleman instead. But Coleman refused. He said it would be like stealing his own brother's fiancée and would attract a lot of public criticism. He also said he wouldn't know how to face Jonathan when he woke up, and that it would damage their brotherly bond."

As she spoke, a trace of mockery crossed Lauretta's face. "If Coleman hadn't refused, I probably would have been sold off like property again."

"The engagement is at the end of this month, and the wedding is three months after that," Lauretta said.

Stella was surprised. "That fast?"

Lauretta said, "They're probably worried about something else unexpected happening. I've run into Aurora a few times recently, and I feel like she's changed a lot. Given her personality, she wouldn't have agreed to this engagement so easily unless she had no other choice. Star, you have to be careful. I'm worried she'll do something desperate and try to harm you."

Stella said softly, "I will. And if you run into any trouble you can't handle, be sure to let me know."

"Okay," Lauretta replied.