The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella froze, every hair on her body standing on end.

A primal instinct warned her of imminent danger-an overwhelming sense she'd only ever felt at the edge of life and death.

She stopped in her tracks, rooted to the spot as if nailed to the floor.

Joshua's eyes flickered when he finally recognized her.

"It's you," he murmured.

Snapping out of her daze, Stella stepped closer to his side. "Joshua, you should eat something."

Joshua rubbed his brow unconsciously. "My head is killing me. I'll pass for now."

"You really shouldn't," Stella insisted gently. "If you don't eat, your headache will only get worse. It's not good for your recovery. Please, try a little?"

His pupils trembled, and for a moment, it was as if he was trapped in a world washed in blood. Everything around him blurred into nothingness—except for the worried light in Stella's eyes, shining through with vivid clarity.

Joshua clawed his way back to rationality, just barely.

He lowered his gaze. "...Fine."

Stella helped him sit up.

like marble. He clenched his fists so tightly the veins on the backs of his hands stood out in

gaze— his eyes were rimmed in red, a murderous glint flashing across

"...Star,

to hold himself together, his features twisting with the effort. Just keeping control was draining every ounce of his strength. The last thread of his sanity felt stretched to the breaking point-one wrong move,

lose himself completely. Anyone nearby would be in

Stella's face paled. "Joshua"

could finish, his hand shot out

ice, sending an involuntary shiver down

her, eyes bloodshot, seething with violence. "Didn't I tell you to leave?

snap

really do have a death

at him, searching his clouded gaze for any sign of the man

to reach him. His

next instant, the bedside lamp crashed down on

Bang!

Silence.

the floor, blood

God. Did I just...

but she hadn't meant to

it

Stella leaned in to check