The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Rachel studied Joshua from across the room, trying to read the emotions playing across his face.

Everyone else treated his words as a joke, but Rachel knew better. Joshua never admitted to anything unless it was irrefutably true.

This time was no exception. He'd done exactly what he claimed.

And honestly, she wasn't even surprised.

After everything he'd been through—after suffering so much-anyone would have lashed out. The real surprise would be if he hadn't.

Haynes fixed Joshua with a cold, unblinking stare. “So, you're admitting it?”

Joshua gave a calm, almost nonchalant nod, projecting the air of a man with nothing to hide.

"There's nothing here I'm afraid to admit."

A faint, mocking smile played at the corners of Haynes' mouth. "Since you're so honest, why don't you tell us what else you've been up to behind our backs?"

Joshua looked thoughtful, as if genuinely considering it. “Let me see..... give me a second."

Then his gaze flicked to Rachel, and he offered her a sly, knowing smile.

Rachel's heart skipped a beat—a cold sense of dread creeping in.

realized a moment later when Joshua's

some time. By some twist of fate, she once became my salvation—so I've done a lot for

records? That was me, helping

had to step in and clean up the mess —otherwise,

fudge the numbers, just to make sure she didn't lose too badly—no need to let her

right—I deliberately got close to Ms. Cameron, just to

was so shocked she nearly

been dodging her texts, always claiming

she'd stopped by

him. As soon as she arrived she saw Foreman and Haynes heading

Stella and Joshua.

with Haynes to take her along, but he refused, brushing her off again and

was Foreman,

peacemaker, who finally convinced

way, and

wanted to know if Joshua really was behind

to that. But to spill everything else too? To drag their

was reckless—like a truck with faulty brakes,

she was losing her

"So, Mr. O'Brien, what do you plan to

"Utter nonsense. Not worth my

any of it—not a word. Rachel finally exhaled, relief washing over