The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 536

Antoney shook his head. “What her mother did has nothing to do with her. I could never hold that against her.

It’s just… I’ve gotten used to the life I have now. I don’t want to change it so easily.

And honestly, I have more than enough money. I don’t want to go back to a life full of rules and restrictions.

Besides…”

He looked over at Stella. “If I go back, playing the violin will just become a hobby. I’d be letting Father Benedict down after all the time he invested in me.

And let’s not forget—Haynes and Jasper are closing in on you, making things harder by the day.

I… I can’t help but worry about you…”

Stella had already guessed what was weighing on his mind. “Antoney, you know my mother didn’t mentor you just because you were talented. She wanted you to have a skill, to make a better life for yourself.

She never wanted to use her help to tie you down. She just wanted you to be happy, that’s all.”

Nora had supported Antoney for so many years, she treated him as if he was her own son.

Antoney understood. “But if I return to the Watsons, it won’t be easy for us to see each other anymore.

And with Haynes and the others watching you like hawks, I’m not sure you can handle them all on your own.”

Stella’s answer swept away all his doubts in a single sentence.

“Antoney, if you go back to the Watsons, won’t it be even easier for you to deal with Haynes and Jasper for me?”

Antoney’s eyes flickered.

Those years when Stella had barely kept in touch, she was either being bullied by the Williams family or pushed around by the O’Briens.

He worried that if he left, no one would have her back, no one would look out for her.

But how could he forget? If he gained real power, he could help her in ways he never could before.

He was silent for a moment, and when he finally spoke, his voice was unexpectedly rough.

“Star, I know you don’t see me that way—if you did, you would have already agreed to let the Watsons adopt you.

If you became their adopted daughter, Haynes and the rest wouldn’t dare lay a finger on you.”