The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1949

Even a man as deeply devoted as the male lead had eventually moved on.

Once you lost your chance, it was gone for good.

After leaving the cinema, Joshua drove Stella to a live violin concert.

Swept up in the beautiful melodies, Stella's heavy heart gradually began to lighten.

All her crushing worries and anxieties slowly faded into the background.

As the concert concluded, Joshua asked, "Star, doesn't this place feel familiar to you?"

He led her out of the main hall.

Stella looked around, a spark of recognition in her eyes. "I think I've performed here before."

Joshua smiled, taking her hand and leading her toward the rear gardens.

The scenery in the gardens remained completely unchanged.

She had played at this venue countless times. Despite the years that had passed, she still remembered the exact layout of the pathways and flowerbeds.

Joshua held her hand gently as they strolled toward an elegant pavilion.

"Star, do you remember this spot?"

Stella's brows flickered as a realization hit her.

She turned to look at him. "Is this... is this where you first saw me?"

Joshua smiled and nodded. "Yes. You were practicing your violin right here, but your back was to me, so I never saw your face.

I was on the run from assassins and completely exhausted. I stopped to listen for a while, just to catch my breath.

I never expected I'd actually fall asleep.

By the time I woke up, you were gone. The only thing left behind was a single earring where you had been playing."

Thinking back on that day, Joshua's gaze softened immensely.

He could never have guessed that fate would deal him such a wild card.

The person he had been looking for all along was already right by his side.

Stella asked, "If you couldn't pursue me yet, what would have been the point of introducing yourself?"

Joshua chuckled softly. "To make you fall in love with me at first sight, of course, so you'd never be able to get me out of your head."

Stella couldn't help but laugh. "Were you that confident I'd like you? What if I didn't feel anything for you at all?"

Joshua smirked. "Well, I heard from Abby that I'm exactly your type.

She said if you had seen me back then, you would have fallen for me on the spot, and Haynes wouldn't have even stood a chance."

"...Why does Abby tell you everything?" Stella sighed helplessly. "When did she even say that to you?"

"Shortly after I became your bodyguard, she let it slip," Joshua replied smoothly.

Stella looked at him, genuinely curious. "When exactly did you realize you had fallen for me?"