The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 858

When Stella found out Neville’s birthday was coming up, she spent a long time thinking before finally deciding to make him a gift with her own hands.

Neville had helped her so much. If it hadn’t been for him, she would have been cornered by Haynes’ endless pressure, left with nowhere to go and forced to sleep on the streets. There was no way she could have gone through her divorce so smoothly without Neville’s support.

She was deeply grateful to him.

Neville glanced down at the keychain in his hand, his dark eyes as deep and unfathomable as the sea.

He looked at her, lips curled in a gentle smile, his voice low and warm.

“Thank you. I really like your gift.”

The way he looked at her was too intense, too soft, sending a shiver down her spine. It was not the way you’d look at a friend.

Stella’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively avoided his gaze.

She stood up. “It’s getting late. We should head back.”

But as soon as she got to her feet, a hand closed firmly around her wrist.

Startled, Stella looked up at Neville.

His eyes were dark and intent. “Don’t go. I brought something back for you from my trip.”

He didn’t say anything inappropriate, so Stella let out a small, relieved breath.

Neville handed her a small gift box. “Open it. See if you like it.”

She took the box from him. It wasn’t very big or heavy, making it impossible to guess what was inside.

She unwrapped the packaging to reveal a square velvet case.

When she opened it, a delicate, finely crafted bracelet came into view.

It wasn’t flashy or ostentatious—simple, elegant, exquisitely made. Tiny black diamonds were set in the chain, catching the light with a subtle, mysterious glow.

“Then just accept it. I never take back gifts,” he said, meeting her eyes. “It’s yours now. If you don’t like it, you can throw it away.”

Stella tried to hand the bracelet back, but Neville stepped out of reach.

She said, “I appreciate the gesture, but I really can’t keep this.”

“I told you, I don’t take back gifts,” Neville said calmly. “If you don’t want it, toss it out into the backyard.”

With that, he stood up.

Stella thought he was about to leave and quickly got to her feet as well.

She grabbed the sleeve of his coat, about to say something, when hurried footsteps sounded from down the hall.

Joshua’s voice called out, not far away.

“Sorry, Star, I’m late.”