The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 389

Keen said, “But... when I studied French with my tutor, Mom never once joined us. And besides…” He glanced toward the stage at Stella, his voice softening, “She speaks even better than my French teacher.”

Jasper scoffed, unconvinced. “That’s just your opinion. If Stella’s French was really that good, why would you need a tutor in the first place? She could have just taught you herself. I bet she just got lucky—knows a few phrases and now she can’t wait to show off.”

Deanna, overhearing their muttered conversation, couldn’t resist butting in. “What exactly did Stella say?”

Rachel pressed her lips together, clearly reluctant, but finally translated Stella’s words for Deanna.

Haynes sat in silence, his gaze fixed on the woman standing confidently under the stage lights. For a moment, his gray eyes seemed distant, reflecting something soft and unplaceable—like the memory of a song drifting in from another room.

A memory, long buried, suddenly surfaced.

They had been at the O'Brien estate then. Deanna had brought up the idea of hiring a tutor for Keen to learn a foreign language. Stella had quietly offered, “I could teach Keen,” only to be cut off by Deanna’s dismissive retort:

“You? Teach Keen? We’re hiring a professional language tutor. What could you possibly teach him? If Keen falls behind because of your meddling, I’ll hold you responsible.”

After that, Stella never mentioned it again.

Haynes found himself surprised—astonished, even—by how much he didn’t know about his former wife. So many things he never expected.

Astonished? He paused at the word. To him, Stella had always been as plain and unremarkable as a glass of water. He had never once imagined she could surprise him.

To Haynes, love and marriage were separate things. Over the years, he’d never loved Stella, but he’d always believed that simply fulfilling his duties as a husband was enough. He’d never bothered to truly understand her.

He’d only ever helped her because of Marvin, or so he’d told himself. But now… he realized he’d stumbled across a hidden gem.

Meanwhile, Franco was left speechless by Stella’s flawless French. Just when he thought she might finally stop, she looked at him and quipped, “Mr. Franco, did you catch all that?”

Franco was never good with words; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been foolish enough to try to belittle Stella’s background and credentials in the first place.

Just as he floundered for a response, a fellow judge—a silver-haired, blue-eyed gentleman—suddenly chimed in, responding in rapid-fire French.

Stella listened, then smiled politely and replied with equal fluency, her words flowing effortlessly.