On the way, as Neville drove past a restaurant, Stella suddenly said, "Neville, could you wait for me for a moment? I need to grab some takeout."
Neville pulled the car over.
Inside, Stella ordered a combo meal and told the server, "No peppers, onions, or parsley, please. And could you also make sure the salad and the dressing are packed separately? Please have the dressing on the side."
Hearing her specific requests, Neville's eyes narrowed slightly.
After getting the food, Neville asked, "Star, is that for Joshua?"
Stella nodded, surprised. "Yes, how did you know?"
"You said he was in the hospital," Neville replied. "And besides, you love spicy food, and I've never known you to turn down parsley."
During their dinner conversation, Neville hadn't pressed for details about Leonard, so Stella hadn't mentioned why Joshua was hospitalized.
"How is he doing now?" Neville asked.
"He's fine, really," Stella said. "He should be out in a few more days. One of his friends is with him at the hospital now. He just texted me saying Joshua didn't eat dinner tonight, probably because he doesn't like the hospital food, so I'm bringing him something."
Neville's gaze grew complicated. "You seem to know his tastes quite well."
"He's my head of security," she said. "We spend a lot of time together every day. It's inevitable that I'd notice a few things."
Around eight-thirty, a soft knock sounded at the door. Stella pushed it open and walked in, a faint smile on her face, clearly in high spirits. She was carrying two bags. One was clearly a gift from a man, judging by the elegant wrapping. She had gone to see Neville, so Harold assumed the gift was from him.
Seeing her finally return, Harold let out a massive sigh of relief. "Ms. Cameron, you're finally back! Uh, I just remembered I have some work to finish up, so I'll be heading out now…"
Without waiting for a reply, he practically bolted from the room.
Stella stared at his retreating back. "Harold, I brought you dinner…" she called out, but he was already gone, disappearing down the hall too quickly to be stopped.
Joshua's eyes fell on the smile on Stella's face, and he found it intensely irritating. "Weren't you supposed to be back by eight?" he asked, his tone deceptively casual.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance
No... Mr. Gardner....
Hu...