Joshua said, “Ever since you came to Solmaris, you haven’t seemed very happy. I thought you could use a little break.”
A flicker of surprise flashed in Stella’s eyes.
The Williams estate wasn’t her home—it was more like walking a tightrope over a pit of vipers.
Everywhere she turned, enemies lurked in the shadows. One wrong move, and she’d be torn to pieces.
She couldn’t afford to relax for even a moment; every muscle in her body felt perpetually wound tight.
She’d thought she’d hidden it well, but Joshua was far more perceptive than she realized.
After a brief silence, she finally replied, “That’s very thoughtful of you, Joshua.”
He asked, “You don’t have any plans tonight, do you?”
“No,” she answered.
Since she’d agreed to go out with Joshua, she’d cleared her whole day.
Joshua’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Perfect. You’ll get to see the view at night—it’s even more spectacular than during the day.”
The way he said it sparked a hint of anticipation deep inside her.
Without realizing it, the sunlight had faded, painting the sky with streaks of gold as the sun dipped toward the horizon.
“Star.” Joshua’s voice drew her from her thoughts. “Look over there.”
Following his gaze, Stella turned toward the west.
The sunset spilled scarlet and gold across the fields, wildflowers awash in a molten glow so breathtaking it almost hurt to look at. For a moment, it felt as if the whole world had been dipped in color.
In that instant, Stella was struck by how small and fragile people were before such vast beauty.
The sun finally disappeared, leaving the world in gentle twilight.
Night settled softly over the countryside.
A silver crescent moon hung in the endless dark, with scattered stars glittering like diamonds overhead.
Fireflies drifted above the grass, tiny lanterns that set the darkness shimmering, making the scene feel almost unreal, as if they’d stepped into a dream.
Even the river—so unremarkable by daylight—now gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the moon’s pale face.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance