chapter1831

Haynes didn't say much more. After telling Stella the news, he hung up.

As for who had set the fire...

Both Stella and Haynes tacitly avoided mentioning it. After all, there weren't many people with both the means and the motive.

When Joshua returned and found Stella awake, a flicker of light flashed in his eyes.

He walked over to her. "Star, when did you wake up?"

"Just now." Stella looked at Joshua. "Where did you go?"

Joshua said, "I told Laurel Quinn to move out early. I don't want her here being an eyesore and disturbing us."

Joshua's attitude toward Laurel was hardly that of a man toward his ex-wife. Of course, Stella's own treatment of Haynes had arguably been worse.

"I'm planning to visit Keen tomorrow," Stella said. "Joshua, will you come with me?"

Joshua didn't refuse. "Of course."

The next day, Joshua did as he promised and had someone come to melt the ring off Stella's finger.

When the ring was removed, it left a clear indentation around her finger. Though the mark would fade over time, it was still unsettling to look at.

Laurel Quinn had already left. She hadn't come to say goodbye to Stella, only sending a text before she departed.

[You can call me anytime you need help.]

Joshua's eyes darkened as he stared at the mark on Stella's finger, his expression unreadable.

Stella opened her mouth, about to say something, but Joshua had already taken her hand.

"Next time, I'll design a ring that won't be so easily melted by high temperatures, or so easily taken off."

Stella squeezed his hand in return. "Okay."

Once the matter of the ring was settled, Stella and Joshua went to visit Keen.

Keen was still living in the house where Stella and Haynes had lived for five years. Standing in front of the familiar villa, Stella felt a surreal sense of dislocation. She hadn't been back here since she decided to divorce Haynes.

Beside her, Joshua was also studying the villa.

"Is this where you used to live?"

Stella came back to her senses. "Yes."

"Let's go in," Joshua said.

But Stella hesitated.

She called Keen often and knew that nothing in the villa had been changed; it was preserved exactly as it was when she left. When she moved out, she was so focused on making a clean break with her past that she hadn't taken much with her.

She had lived here for five years, and the house was filled with traces of her life. Was it really a good idea to bring Joshua to tour the place she once shared with another man?

If the roles were reversed and she had to tour the home he had shared with Laurel

Quinn, she would definitely feel a little bothered by it.

Sensing her thoughts, Joshua said, "Star, I want to know about your past."

Stella turned to look at him and saw that his eyes were pure and clear.

Thinking about how Joshua was always straightforward, telling her whenever something displeased him, Stella said softly, you feel uncomfortable at any point just tell me."

Joshua tightened his grip on her hand. "I will."

Stella walked to the door and rang the bell.

The video intercom was quickly answered, and Maisie's familiar voice came through.

"Mrs. O'Brien, the code hasn't changed. You can just come right in."

Stella entered Keen's birthday, and the main gate swung open.