The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1257

He recognized the woman instantly—it was Aurora. And the man sitting across from her was none other than Joshua.

Another text came through, right after he'd finished reading the last, as if it had been timed.

"Mr. Lerman, it seems losing an arm and an ear has really taken its toll on you. Your goddess, Aurora, was even willing to treat me to lunch… Does she not know I'm the one who put you in that hospital bed?"

Leonard's eyes turned bloodshot, and his breathing grew ragged. He could accept Aurora dining with anyone, but not with Joshua—the man who had nearly killed him.

As if that wasn't enough, another message arrived.

"You've been through hell and back for her, a loyal knight in shining armor. Even an outsider like me can see your devotion. You made an enemy of us for her sake and ended up like this. Even if she can't return your feelings, the least she could do is not break bread with your murderer. It seems your charms have faded, Mr. Lerman."

Joshua's words struck Leonard's most vulnerable point. He remembered it was because he'd heard Aurora had been slighted by Stella that he had destroyed Stella's hand.

He had done it all for Aurora. Every last bit of it. And now she was out, toasting the man who had ruined him.

Even though Leonard knew this was a deliberate attempt to provoke him, the fact remained: she was with Joshua. He thought of Joshua's true identity, and a low, guttural laugh escaped his lips.

The sound was so chilling that his assistant's skin crawled. "Mr. Lerman…" he stammered. "Perhaps we should move you to a more secure location for your recovery?"

Leonard opened his mouth to reply, but rage overwhelmed him. He choked, spat blood, then slumped back onto the pillow, unconscious.

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