The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

After Joshua left, Stella sat alone on the stone bench, quietly taking in the scenery around her.

She had to admit, this place really was beautiful-there was even a touch of romance in the air. Even by herself, she didn't feel the least bit bored.

Resting her chin in one hand, her elbow propped on the stone table, Stella let herself relax. The tranquility here was almost hypnotic, and she realized just how tired she'd been lately with everything going on.

She lay her head down on the table and, before she knew it, drifted off for a few minutes.

A cool breeze swept past, stirring her awake. With a start, she checked her phone and realized she'd been out for over twenty minutes.

The banquet hall wasn't far-ten, maybe fifteen minutes round trip at most. Surely nothing could have happened, right?

Still, a faint unease crept in. She grabbed her phone and called Joshua.

The line rang and rang, but no one picked up. Stella's concern deepened.

She slipped off her shoes, deciding to go look for him herself.

Just then, footsteps sounded behind her.

washed over her-Joshua

She turned around. "Joshua-"

the face she saw made her

are you

radiating an effortless elegance and nobility. There was a rebellious spark in his eyes, and those dazzling hazel irises caught the

on her, and in the silvered night, it

walked toward her, a small, knowing smile on his lips. “I just got in from the airport.

me you were at the music conference, so I

since Stella had seen Neville. The unexpected reunion was a

dropped to her broken shoe, his brows knitting together.

another pair, but he's been gone a while.

go check."

an amused, enigmatic smile

just saw him. But honestly, I don't think you should go looking for him right now-you

frowned in confusion.

hero, rescuing none other than

lingered on Stella.

time she'd seen Joshua and Simone chatting, how well they seemed to get along. "I guess they