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.

head. "She acted

go take

"Thanks."

spare blanket and a thin mattress tucked away on a shelf. After giving the floor a quick wipe with a towel, she spread out the bedding next to the double

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 a man—no matter how open-minded

the floor, and

damp, he saw Stella had already made

try to get some sleep.

endless travel, Stella felt like she'd

belongs to s

eyes stung with e

vel

Hers,

the bed. She barely managed to pull the covers over

she knew she

માં વધુ

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

light and lay down

night, Stella slept more soundly

finally opened her eyes, for a split second, she thought ske was back home in Neo-Vespera, safe in her own bed Maybe

against