The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 863

Joshua’s reaction wasn’t what Rachel had expected. For a moment, she was stunned—then, unexpectedly, a flicker of hope sparked in her chest.

“Joshua, when Haynes had me thrown in jail, why didn’t you answer my calls? Why didn’t you come to help me?”

Joshua suddenly let out a soft laugh. “Why I didn’t come? Don’t you already know the answer to that?”

Rachel’s gaze darted away, but she fought to keep her composure.

“I... I honestly don’t know...”

Joshua sighed, his tone gentle but resolute. “Rachel, I already know you’re not the one I’ve been searching for.”

Rachel’s fingers clenched tight.

So it was true—this was why Joshua had abandoned her, why he’d left her to fend for herself.

Rachel’s voice grew desperate. “It’s Simone, isn’t it?!”

Joshua looked genuinely surprised. “How did you know about Simone?”

Rachel balled her hands into fists. “She came to see me! Joshua, she’s not the one you’re looking for—I am!

All she has is a pair of imitation earrings. She doesn’t know anything else—not which garden it was, not the time of the recital!

She even came to the prison, trying to trick me—pretending to be me, trying to fish for information!”

Rachel rattled off her accusations in a single breath, her throat dry and tight. But she didn’t dare stop; she knew that if she paused, Joshua might never let her explain.

Joshua frowned as he listened.

“Is that so?”

So it was Simone who’d reached out to Joshua. That snake.

Rachel seethed inwardly. She didn’t care for Joshua romantically, but he was her lifeline, her shield. Without him, her long charade would have crumbled ages ago. Losing his support was as good as losing her entire foundation—Rachel would never forgive Simone for that.

Right now, her hatred for Simone burned even hotter than what she felt for Stella.

“Joshua, all she has is that earring—she knows nothing else. I’m telling you, it’s got to be a fake. Don’t let her fool you.”

Joshua seemed to weigh her words, rubbing his forehead in frustration. “So now you’re saying she’s the imposter, and she’s saying the same about you.

You know the garden, you know the time and place. But she’s got an identical necklace...”

He shook his head. “Between the two of you, I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

Hearing this, Rachel felt a surge of relief. Joshua’s uncertainty meant he hadn’t put all his faith in Simone—not yet, anyway. If he truly believed Simone, he wouldn’t still be speaking to Rachel with such patience.