The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

The man's voice oozed sleaze-a hungry, predatory edge that made Simone's skin crawl.

Joshua didn't even glance in their direction. He kept walking, not the least bit interested in getting involved.

"Seymour, if you lay a hand on me, my brother will kill you!" Simone's voice trembled with fury.

"Miss Lerman, relax. I'll take responsibility for you. Once I formally ask your family for your hand, your brother won't have a reason to kill me," Seymour replied, his tone mocking.

"I'd rather die than marry you!"

Seymour cut her off with a malicious laugh. "By then, whether you want to or not won't be your decision."

Joshua's face remained completely impassive as he overheard their exchange. If anything, he picked up his pace, determined to leave the mess behind.

Suddenly, a disheveled woman burst out from the flowerbeds ahead, stumbling as she ran.

Lerman, stop running! You can't get away!"

far away-a man, half- shadowed, almost blending into

eyes lit up with hope. She

Simone," she blurted out, barely stopping to catch her breath. "That man is

lights. Up close, Simone still couldn't make out the man's face, only his broad-shouldered frame

is between me and Miss Lerman. Even if you try to tell someone, nobody will believe you. And the

man remained silent, shrouded in

me, and

moment, unmoving. Then, finally, he

feel it a dangerous energy radiated from this stranger. Still, after scanning his memory and finding no match to any

a knife, the blade catching the moonlight, shining cold and bright. Without hesitation, Seymour lunged, aiming straight for Joshua's

in a