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.

from

his gaze, Stella turned

sunset spilled scarlet and gold across the fields, wildflowers awash in a molten glow so breathtaking it almost hurt to look at. For a moment, it felt as if the whole world

Stella was struck by how small and fragile people

leaving the world

softly over

in the endless dark, with scattered stars glittering like

the grass, tiny lanterns that set the darkness shimmering, making the scene feel almost unreal, as

the river-so unremarkable by daylight-now gleamed like a mirror, reflecting

as beautiful as Joshua had promised-maybe even more

to see Joshua

said, tossing her a

and looked down to find

"This is..."

feeling low, sometimes a drink helps

much of a drinker,

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

for dinner sometimes we'd split

she spoke, her eyes softened with

days felt

and began sharing

she hadn't

quietly, the perfect