The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 1169

Stella barely had time to react before her instincts kicked in-she reached for the knife, determined to act. But just as she raised her hand, someone snatched the blade right out of her grasp.

Bewildered, Stella turned to look at Joshua.

"No need to go to such extremes," Joshua said calmly. "I'll take care of the poison myself."

Stella stared at him, momentarily lost for words. "What?"

Joshua didn't answer. Instead, he focused on preparing for what needed to be done. He shrugged off his jacket and tore several strips from a shirt, wrapping them tightly around her wounded leg to cut off the blood flow.

Stella could only watch, stunned by how quickly he moved.

When everything was ready, Joshua leaned over and pressed his mouth to her leg, drawing out the venom.

Stella's lips parted as if to protest, but before she could say anything, darkness swallowed her vision and consciousness slipped away.

When she finally opened her eyes, daylight was streaming in from the mouth of a

cave.

She glanced around, realizing she was lying on a makeshift bed in the shelter of the cavern. Nearby, the remnants of a small campfire-burned-out branches and leaves-hinted at how she'd spent the night. A man's jacket was draped over her. Stella tried to sit up, only to find her strength had deserted her. Even the smallest movement sent the world spinning.

in sight. Where

struggled to her feet, but her knees buckled almost immediately. Just as she was

try to walk yet,

Joshua's face-pale, handsome, but set in an expression she hardly recognized. His lips were pressed into a thin

aback. She could count on one hand the times she'd seen Joshua like this. Usually, he wore an easy, harmless smile, never troubled by anything,

him so serious-even angry-Stella felt strangely

of it and croaked,

"I woke

you.

where I was." s

in a cave," Joshua replied, helping her back down to the makeshift bed.

voice was still rough, nasal, and

a bad cold.

you go?" s

handed her a canteen.

did

"Where

nearby," he

You

mug from

"And a mug, too?"