The Stolen Life- My Mother Gave My Fiancé to Her Favorite Student novel Chapter 72

Chapter 17

Tucked away in the quiet town of Pinevale, Emily had spent the last three months adjusting to small–town

life. The slower pace, friendly neighbors, and simple routines had gradually become her new normal.

One of those neighbors was Joshua Brown–a Cresthaven transplant who’d moved here with his newly

remarried mother. He had a younger half–sister, Lily, a ten–year–old girl with light skin, bright dimples, and a

smile that could melt the iciest heart.

Lily had fallen in love with the violin from the moment she heard Emily play. Her eyes would shine with wonder every time the bow touched the strings.

So Emily started giving her lessons. And without fail, Joshua was always nearby during their sessions-

pretending to read, fix something, or just “happen” to be passing through. His gaze often lingered longer than it should’ve. Sometimes, he got completely lost in watching her.

Whenever she caught him staring, he’d quickly scratch the back of his head, mumble something awkward,

and walk off.

Joshua was nothing like Alex. He had this lightness to him–warm, open, easy to read. With him, she didn’t

have to tiptoe around silences or brace herself for sudden mood swings. She didn’t have to make herself

smaller to be loved.

One afternoon after Lily’s lesson, Joshua showed up holding two paper cups of coffee and offered one with

a grin.

“Hey, Amelia. Ever think about opening your own violin studio? There’s a little shop for rent on Main. I think

it’s got your name written all over it.”

She hesitated for a second. The money she had–earned through investments Alex had once taught her to

manage was more than enough. She hadn’t even touched the billion–dollar transfer he left her. Money

wasn’t the issue.

But purpose? That, she was craving.

She smiled. “That actually sounds great.”

With Joshua’s help, she signed the lease. Every day after that, he and Lily showed up to help clean and paint the place. They wore makeshift dust caps and old T–shirts, music playing in the background as they scrubbed and decorated.

One day, Emily flicked her paintbrush a little too hard and splattered blue paint across Joshua’s face. He swiped at it, only to smear it further into a ridiculous mask. Emily and Lily burst out laughing.

Catching his reflection in a window, Joshua gasped dramatically and pointed at Lily. “Alright, now it’s your turn.”

Shrieking, Lily ducked behind Emily, giggling uncontrollably as they chased each other through the half–painted studio. The laughter echoed, bright and unrestrained.

Chapter 17

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But just as Emily’s laughter peaked, her smile faltered–and froze.

Her hand slipped. The paint can crashed to the floor, blue streaks splattering her canvas sneakers.

Her gaze locked on the doorway.

There he was.

Alex Harrington.

Her vision blurred, her fingernails digging into her palms. She hadn’t expected him–at least not yet.

There was no joy. No warmth. Only a cold, coiled dread rising in her chest.

Alex’s expression was calm on the surface, but his eyes burned with tightly leashed fury. He crooked a finger

toward her, voice velvet–smooth but laced with threat.

“Sweetheart,” he said softly. “Come here.”

Emily didn’t budge.

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