The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 2122

The aroma of coffee drifted through the air, carrying a faint bitterness.

Stella said, "It's not that I haven't suspected it, but his behavior feels so contradictory to me.

"If he really has remembered, why is he pretending he hasn't?

"And if he wanted to fake amnesia, why would he leave so many obvious flaws in his act?"

Stella looked up, meeting Leonard's eyes.

"If Joshua was intentionally trying to hide it, he absolutely wouldn't leave such glaring holes."

"You're right," Leonard agreed, "he definitely has the capability to do that. But what if he never intended to hide it in the first place?

"Why do you assume that just because he remembered, he has to play the amnesiac perfectly?

"Have you ever actually asked him about his memories?"

Stella paused. "But if he did remember, why would he act like I'm a complete stranger to him?"

"Yet when you two were together yesterday, you didn't seem like strangers at all," Leonard pointed out.

"If, as you say, you haven't known each other long, why would he call you Star?

"Did Joshua call you that when you two first met?"

Stella thought back to that somewhat distant past.

No.

For a long time, Joshua had referred to her with the polite and distant 'Ms. Cameron.'

Later on, she couldn't even remember when he changed how he addressed her.

It was just that her friends all called her that, and Joshua followed suit. Stella hadn't thought much of it.

Besides, even back then, Joshua seemed to have helped her numerous times.

Deep down, she had never truly seen Joshua as just a bodyguard.

Stella absentmindedly stroked the little calico's head. "I don't get it."

"Maybe his whole point is to keep you confused," Leonard suggested.

"Stella, he's getting back at you for playing with his feelings."

"I've spent enough time with him to understand his personality and his methods.

"If he's going to go through all this trouble, there has to be more than just one goal."

Stella paused for a moment.

"He isn't the type to hold on to things he can't have.

"Even if he remembered everything, petty revenge and venting anger just aren't his style."

Stella looked down at the coffee in her cup.

"The fact that he agreed to the hypnosis back then meant he chose to end things himself.

"Even if he truly remembered, he wouldn't come after me for revenge.

"Joshua... isn't that kind of person."

The hand Leonard used to hold his coffee cup trembled slightly.

A few drops of light brown coffee spilled over the rim.