The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella immediately noticed something was off and leaned in, concern etched across her face. "Joshua, are you alright?"

He rubbed his aching temples, his voice barely above a whisper. "...It's nothing. Just a headache, that's all."

She didn't look convinced. "Are you sure? You really don't look well."

Joshua gave a faint nod, but the pallor of his skin was alarming-he looked more fragile than she'd ever seen him, even after the car accident. Now, he seemed as though the slightest touch might break him.

He met her gaze, his eyes serious. "Everything that happened today was my fault. There were a lot of witnesses who saw me start the fight. If you hand me over, Gibson won't give you too much trouble."

Stella's brows knit together. "Joshua, what are you saying?"

He cut her off gently. "Star, let me finish."

He held her in a steady, unwavering stare.

me, you'll be dragged into all sorts of trouble. Gibson won't let me off

if I did hand you over to Gibson, what if they kill you

his son. There's no way

every chance they will.

"But if you stay

has my life not been in danger? I've faced this kind of threat more times than I can count. Should I just abandon you

as ever. "Protecting

employees don't take the fall alone is part of my

momentarily speechless. Then, unexpectedly, a

"I get it."

been the one to tell her to go, and if she had, maybe he wouldn't

what people meant

darkness swallowing the last traces of twilight. Stella led Joshua to the place Katrina had told them about. It took a while, searching through side streets and alleyways before they found a run-down motel-if it could ever be called that the place was barely standing, its exterior battered by time, the kind of building that looked like it hadn't

tangled overhead,