The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 1164

Joshua said, "Ever since you came to Solmaris, you haven't seemed very happy. I thought you could use a little break."

A flicker of surprise flashed in Stella's eyes.

The Williams estate wasn't her home-it was more like walking a tightrope over a pit of vipers.

Everywhere she turned, enemies lurked in the shadows. One wrong move, and she'd be torn to pieces.

She couldn't afford to relax for even a moment; every muscle in her body felt perpetually wound tight.

She'd thought she'd hidden it well, but Joshua was far more perceptive than she realized.

After a brief silence, she finally replied, "That's very thoughtful of you, Joshua."

He asked, "You don't have any plans tonight, do you?"

"No," she answered.

Since she'd agreed to go out with Joshua, she'd cleared her whole day.

Joshua's lips curled into a faint smile. "Perfect. You'll get to see the view at night- it's even more spectacular than during the day."

The way he said it sparked a hint of anticipation deep inside her.

Without realizing it, the sunlight had faded, painting the sky with streaks of gold as the sun dipped toward the horizon.

voice drew her from her

Stella turned toward

almost hurt to look at. For a

that instant, Stella was struck by how small and fragile people were

leaving the

softly

silver crescent moon hung in the endless dark, with scattered stars glittering

above the grass, tiny lanterns that set the darkness shimmering, making the scene feel almost unreal, as if they'd stepped into

by daylight-now gleamed like a mirror,

really was as beautiful as

footsteps, and turned to see Joshua approaching

tossing her

it on reflex and looked down to find it was a

"This is..."

low, sometimes a drink helps

"But if you're not much of a drinker, you can just leave it. I'll

I can handle a drink or two. Back in college, Abby and and

sometimes we'd split a

she spoke, her eyes softened

back, those days felt so

open the beer and began sharing stories

hadn't

listened quietly, the