The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

It was Stella's first time at Joshua's apartment.

Even though she'd had Abby help her find the place, and they lived practically next door, Stella had never actually been inside before.

Joshua's home was minimalist to the extreme-everything in black, white, and shades of gray, giving the space a solemn, almost heavy atmosphere.

It was hard to reconcile this austere decor with Joshua's usual bright and easygoing personality.

Stella headed to the bathroom to grab Joshua's usual toiletries, then opened the closet to pick out some clothes for him.

She quickly noticed how few personal belongings Joshua kept here. If he ever decided to leave, she doubted he'd even fill a single suitcase.

It was obvious-he never planned to stay long.

Once his memory returned, he'd move on. It was only natural that he hadn't settled in.

After gathering the essentials, Stella left the apartment.

She hadn't snooped through his things, and so she never noticed the single earring resting on his nightstand.

Back at her own apartment, Stella packed up some things she'd need for the next few days.

Since Joshua was hurt because of her, she planned to stay at the hospital for a while to take care of him.

As she was leaving, her eyes landed on a jar of ointment sitting on the coffee table-a gift from Keen.

She'd been using it every day, and her wound had healed in record time. The scab had already fallen off.

Still...

She glanced down at the faint scar on her arm.

It was barely visible, but since it was so new, the mark hadn't faded yet.

She hesitated for a moment, then tossed the ointment into her bag. It really worked wonders—she'd keep using it on her hand as well.

After packing up, Stella didn't head straight to the hospital. Instead, she went to the mall and bought two new phones, along with replacement SIM cards.

The moment she turned her phone on, a flood of texts and messages popped up. She hadn't even had a chance to look through them when her phone rang. Foreman's name flashed across the screen.

She answered.

"Star, I heard about the accident. Are you alright?" Foreman's voice was tight with worry.

"Were you hurt? What exactly happened?"

"I'm fine," Stella reassured him. "Just a few scrapes, nothing serious."

Foreman sounded so rattled, he was practically babbling.

"Where are you now, Star? I'll come to you."

She was about to tell him not to worry, when Foreman's assistant spoke up in the background.

"Mr. Richards, Ms. Cameron is at the mall right now."noveldrama

ait there. I'm coming to g said, and

"Star, wait

you,"

hung

up.

She stared at her phone and let out a quiet sigh.

By the time Foreman arrived, Stella was waiting for him in a coffee shop.

He rushed in, breathless, and hurried to her table. "Star, are you okay?"

She smiled up at him. "I'm alright, Foreman. Have a seat. Your coffee's waiting."

She'd already ordered for him,

as he took a sip, she could se

of the tension leave his shoulders. Gontent

"Star, what happened?" he asked.

Stella didn't hide anything. "It was Karl. Honestly, I was surprised by how unhinged he became."

She took a sip of her own coffee. "I thought whatever bad blood existed between Karl and me ended that day. Dnever imagined he'd gothis far for payback."

Back then, it had been a battle of wills-her against him, one side was bound to

lose.

If she hadn't fought back, her own hand would've been destroyed.

Since she'd had the strength to defend herself, it was only right that she'd done the same to him.

Survival of the fittest, that's all it was.

Karl, of all people, should have understood that rule.