The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 973

If Leonard hadn’t left, Stella would’ve suffered even more. She might’ve lost the use of her other hand entirely.

Abby’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Joshua.

“Joshua, how did you know something happened to me and Star?”

Joshua had been the furthest away; he’d shown up last. Abby had figured he hadn’t been able to help at all.

Joshua just smiled. “What if I told you I dreamt something happened to Star? Would you believe me?”

It wasn’t just Abby and Neville who looked skeptical—Stella was unconvinced too.

Abby played along, teasing, “What, you and Star have some kind of psychic link now?”

Seeing they didn’t buy it, Joshua let the subject drop.

Abby’s joking faded, replaced by a troubled expression.

“But seriously, how did Sellers just vanish into thin air?”

Neville and Joshua exchanged a subtle glance before both quickly looked away, feigning nonchalance.

Joshua shrugged. “Maybe karma finally caught up with him?”

Abby replied, “Honestly, aside from Leonard—that absolute maniac—I can’t think of anyone gutsy enough to kidnap the head of the Burton family.”

But even that was just Abby’s guess.

Neville steered the conversation away, turning to Stella.

“Star, how’s your hand doing now?”

Stella replied, “Dr. Burton said I’ll just need physical therapy from here on out. I can be discharged any time.”

“When are you planning to leave the hospital?” Neville asked.

“In the next couple of days, I think.”

“As for Marvin… He doesn’t have any family or ties here. If you don’t mind, could you look after him for me a little longer?”

Stella was taken aback for a moment, then smiled warmly.

“Of course I don’t mind.”

Off to the side, Joshua watched the two of them exchange that smile, his lips pressed into a thin, tense line. An odd irritation simmered in his chest.

It had been ages since he’d heard Stella play the violin. His insomnia was threatening to flare up again. Recordings used to help him sleep, but without Stella herself there, even her music on tape didn’t seem to work anymore.

And it was all Leonard’s fault.

The thought darkened Joshua’s eyes with a stormy anger. He wanted nothing more than to shatter Leonard’s bones, one by one, and feed them to the dogs—make Leonard watch as he was torn apart, bit by bit.

When Joshua’s insomnia hit, it was agony. Why should Leonard get off easy?

Right now, a thousand ways to make Leonard suffer were already running through Joshua’s mind.