The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 1172

Stella frowned, struggling to open her eyes.

A few feet away, a campfire crackled and glowed, its warmth filling the small cave. Suspended above the flames hung a battered little pot, steam billowing from its bubbling contents.

Joshua stood with his back to her, stirring the pot with a spoon.

Stella coughed softly, her voice hoarse. "What are you doing?"

At the sound of her voice, Joshua turned around.

"You're awake, good. Here-try to eat something first."

She blinked in surprise. "Eat something?"

Joshua ladled a bowl of soup from the pot and brought it over to her.

Only as he drew closer did Stella realize what it was—a bowl of mushroom soup.

The earthy aroma drifted through the cave, and even though her body still felt dull and weak, a faint hunger stirred within her.

She looked from the soup to Joshua, curiosity overcoming her. "Mushrooms? Where did you find them?"

bowl in front of her. The pot and utensils, she noticed, looked well-used -probably leftovers from that abandoned campsite they'd stumbled upon earlier. The pot itself

picked the mushrooms just outside,"

asking. Maybe her fever was making her slow -her head wasn't

need something hot in your system if you want

her any good right now. Judging by her state, she probably couldn't have kept

more than clear

and guessed at the source of her worry. "Don't worry—I checked them. None of these are poisonous.

bowl from his hands, wrapping her fingers around

The soup was unexpectedly

Maybe it was just

tasted like a

dirt, even the roots. The bowl and spoon, too-she realized he

time she finished, a gentle warmth had spread through her, clearing the fog in her mind more

her empty bowl. "Want some more?

head. "No, that's

appetite wasn't

her. Instead, he poured himself a bowl and sat down to eat

sky had already begun to darken; another day was slipping

looked toward the gloom beyond the cave entrance. "Looks