The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Joshua's tone remained calm and almost detached. "This is Neo-Vespera-we're

on Haynes's turf. How would I even stop her? Besides, do you think she'd give me a heads-up before she made her move, so I could brace myself?"

Rachel was silent. What was the point of arguing now? The damage was done, and going over it again wouldn't change anything. Better to focus on what to do next.

She softened her voice. "Joshua, is there any way out of this?"

If anyone could come up with a clever solution, it'd be Joshua.

He pretended to think for a few seconds, then said, "Rachel, you were careless. You handed over solid, incriminating evidence. With proof like this, it's almost impossible to turn things around."

Hearing this, Rachel's composure finally started to crack. "I don't even know how someone was watching me! Joshua, you always come up with something-can't you help me? Please?"

Joshua let out a long sigh. "Rachel, it's not that I don't want to help. But this is Novaris-Haynes holds all the cards here. There's really nothing I can do. If we were in Aetheria, I could make black look white for you this wouldn't even be a problem."

A heavy sense of dread settled in Rachel's chest. If even Joshua couldn't help, maybe there really was no hope.

This whole ordeal made it clear: Haynes was done with her. She was well and truly cast out.

Novaris was no longer an

up. "Joshua, maybe I should just

around Joshua, but his influence and power rivaled- maybe even surpassed-Haynes's. Starting over in Aetheria with Joshua's backing, she could claw her way

had never been her first choice, but as

voice softened suddenly. "Rachel, I told you,

my door is always open for you.

heart skipped. "But

are you really

After everything she'd put in, how could she possibly just give

if I'm not? I don't have any other choice. Stella's surrounded by

e'

kidnapher. What else can I do besides leave? Wait

chuckle. "Actually, there still

Rachel's eyes lit up

you'd think of

last resort. You need to think carefully before you

you're willing to go