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.

ice-cold, almost like marble. He clenched his fists so tightly the veins on the backs of his hands stood out in stark relief, his breath

She glanced at him, only to meet his gaze— his eyes were rimmed in red, a murderous

voice was harsh, raw. "...Star, you need to

twisting with the effort. Just keeping control was draining every ounce of his strength. The last thread of his

himself completely. Anyone nearby would be

Stella's face paled. "Joshua"

hand shot

as ice, sending an involuntary

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

"Joshua, snap

"So, you really

him, searching his clouded gaze for any sign of the man she knew. "Joshua,

to reach

next instant, the bedside lamp crashed down

Bang!

Silence.

on the floor, blood trickling from his scalp. Panic tightened her

I

swing, but she hadn't meant to go

it and actually killed

Stella leaned in to check