The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Because of Stella, I'd crossed paths with Joshua a few times-enough to say we knew each other, but not well.

Aurora met Rachel's gaze. "You know that's not what I mean."

Rachel feigned confusion. "I really don't understand what you're getting at, Ms. Williams."

Aurora turned to Simone, who nodded, her lips curled in a half-smile as she looked at Rachel.

"Rachel, did you pretend to be the person who saved Joshua's life?"

Rachel's pupils contracted sharply, and for a second, she nearly lost control of her expression.

Still, she replied, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

With practiced calm, Simone recounted everything Joshua had told her, laying it all out for Rachel.

At first, Rachel managed to keep her composure, but as Simone continued, her face grew paler and paler.

fingers clenched tightly

exactly the

a flicker of Rachel's reaction;

know each other. And what Joshua confided in Simone was

she reached into her bag and pulled out a pair of earrings. "Ms. Pearce, these earrings

shock. "You... how do you have those earrings too?" She shot a look at Aurora. "Did she

course not. Aurora and I had these earrings custom-made together I have a pair just like hers. I

believe it. "You're lying! I remember Ms. Williams said her father gave her those earrings as a

expression didn't waver. "That's true-Mr. Williams did give them to Aurora. But, Ms.

Skyler Williams had indeed commissioned two pairs. Back then, though, Stella's identity hadn't been made public, so no one ever found out who received the second

twisted through a storm

Joshua had been ignoring her lately-he must have found his real one

cracked a tooth, her

unsettled Simone for a moment, but she quickly regained

бэл