The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 2018

"How..."

Stella gripped the phone, struggling for a long moment before she found her voice.

"How is he?"

"He seems fine," Laurel replied evenly.

Stella's throat felt tight and raw.

"Did he say anything?"

Knowing exactly what she was really asking, Laurel didn't sugarcoat it. "He asked why we did the hypnosis. Beckett and I told him his condition was deteriorating.

Jake and Harold had already rehearsed their stories, so there weren't any slip-ups."

Laurel paused before continuing. "We told him point-blank that since he just finished the sessions, he shouldn't try to force any past memories, or the suggestion might break. He accepted it and didn't push.

As for covering up the tracks, Beckett, Harold, and Jake handled it completely.

It's not their first rodeo with crisis management, so... there shouldn't be any loose ends."

Stella understood the subtext perfectly.

Barring a miracle, Joshua would never think of her again.

"Beckett and I are going to stay in Aetheria for a while," Laurel added, "just to help him transition and cover any blank spots in his memory."

"Good," Stella breathed out. "Take care of him."

"If you ever want an update on him, just call me," Laurel offered.

Stella didn't accept the invitation. Instead, she just said, "Safe travels."

Laurel knew then that, unless it was a matter of life or death, Stella would never call her again.

As the line clicked dead, a single tear slipped loose, splashing onto the back of Stella's hand.

...

Standard medical advice dictated a month of strict bed rest.

Abby had tried to convince her to wait a month before dealing with Foreman.

But Stella was fueled by pure, unadulterated rage. With her baby's murderer breathing free air, she couldn't rest.

Abby couldn't blame her.

To Abby, Foreman was ten times worse than Leonard.

Leonard had always been a straightforward enemy, but Foreman had started out as a friend.

Stella had even saved his life back in their school days.

In return, Foreman had brutally betrayed her at every critical turn.

A monster who smiled to your face was infinitely more terrifying than an enemy in the shadows.