The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella hadn't grown up in a wealthy family, but she'd never wanted for anything—and she'd certainly never stayed in a place as shabby as this roadside inn.

Joshua paced the cramped room, checking every corner, even behind the faded curtains and battered dresser. Only when he was sure there were no hidden cameras did he finally seem to relax.

He turned to see Stella standing by the heater, arms crossed.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

She glanced at him, a faint frown on her face. “The heat isn't working."

Joshua grabbed the remote and pressed a few buttons. Nothing happened; the heater stayed stubbornly cold. He switched it off with a sigh. "Why don't you go take a hot shower? I'll go downstairs and see if the manager can do anything."

Stella remembered the manager's surly attitude when they'd checked in and shook her head. "Don't bother. It's fine."

The woman had made it clear-without proper ID, they were lucky to have a roof over their heads. This wasn't a five-star hotel; they weren't exactly in a position to be picky.

Joshua just shrugged. "It's no trouble. I'll ask anyway."

Seeing he wouldn't be dissuaded, Stella didn't argue.

He returned a few minutes later, just as Stella stepped out of the shower, toweling off her damp hair. One look at his face told her everything she needed to know.

"She didn't help, did she?" Stella said.

his head. "She acted

smile. “Why don't you go take a shower? I'll get

"Thanks."

shelf. After giving the

wallpaper and the rattling window. In a twin room, at least they could have pretended not to notice the awkwardness of sharing a space. But sharing a bed with

he'd take the floor, and Stella

the bathroom, hair still damp, he saw

"We should try

the endless travel, Stella felt like she'd

belongs to s

eyes stung with e

vel

Hers,

sinking into the bed. She barely managed to pull the covers

knew she wouldn't have been

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a man who wasnt her husband? Unthinkable. But tonight, fatigue won out. The moment she closed her eyes, she

light and lay down on

more soundly than she

back home in Neo-Vespera, safe in her own bed Maybe everything

drum of rain against the window pulled her