The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Joshua admitted, "Yes, I was deceived."

Stella let out a silent sigh. "Now that you know the truth, are you disappointed?"

Joshua replied, "Honestly, I realized she wasn't the real one a long time ago.

But back then, my insomnia had gotten really bad.

I just wanted to find her, to see if hearing her play might help me sleep."

As for the whole "lifesaver" thing....

A wry smile tugged at Joshua's lips, the darkness hiding the bitterness in his expression.

A man like him—how could he possibly devote himself to someone just because of a melody? The story of a 'lifesaver' was nothing more than a convenient narrative for outsiders. It made him seem a little more human, a little less cold.

of her

"I figured, if she could keep up the act forever, then maybe she deserved it.

could mean everything-or

surprise or confusion on her face, which caught

You don't

at all. It

Joshua pressed, "Why?"

"Her music pulled you back from the edge, so in a way, she did

it, she didn't really

for you, specifically. Even when she played the violin, it wasn't just

for him day and night. But with this girl, she just happened to play a piece in the garden, and how it's called 'saving your life'? If were

thoughtless.

hadn't expected such candor from her. He asked

her shoes, what would

that's it. There's a saying-gratitude as heavy as a mountain. But if I honestly did nothing, just happened to be there, I wouldn't want to carry that burden. I don't like being saddled with a debt I never