Chapter 101: Chapter 101



If Leah hadn’t mentioned it, Joelle wouldn’t have realized that she had been giving Adrian the cold shoulder recently. But was it worth trying to win back a man who had no respect for her or her child?

“Leah, please return the box. Act as if it was never found,” Joelle said dismissively.

“But—”

“You can leave now. I need to rest,” Joelle interrupted, closing her book with a snap.

Reluctantly, Leah retreated downstairs, finding Michael and Adrian seated together in the living room. Michael inquired eagerly, “So? Did it move her?”

Leah shook her head, her gaze shifting to Adrian. “Sir, this tactic isn’t working. If you truly care, you should give her the rings yourself.”

Michael clucked his tongue in disapproval. “Leah, you just don’t get him, do you? He’s too arrogant to admit his faults, even though he knows he’s in the wrong!” Exhaling a weary sigh, Leah responded, “If things don’t change, she might leave for good.”

The following evening, Adrian returned home unexpectedly early. Joelle was in the living room, her violin producing disjointed notes rather than music. Adrian paused in the doorway, dressed sharply in his suit, while Leah was out on an errand, leaving them alone.

Their eyes locked briefly before Joelle turned away, her movements stiff. “How long will you continue like this?” His features etched with discontent. The pressures of work demanded constant vigilance, and now, he faced a home life marked by his wife’s indifference—her expressions neither warm nor sorrowful, just vacant. His patience was thinning.

Joelle met his gaze, her face void of emotion. “I’m not up to anything. I’m just not happy.”

Adrian studied her intensely, his eyes searching. Unmoved, Joelle offered a small, insincere smile. “You want me now?”

She began to unfasten her blouse with a resigned air. “I haven’t been feeling well lately. If we’re going to do this, let’s make it quick.”

Her actions revealed the delicate curve of her neck and the smooth expanse of skin just above her collarbone. Adrian pressed his lips together tightly and departed without a word.

Alone, Joelle slowly buttoned her blouse, each button a laborious effort. By the time she reached the final one, her energy had ebbed away, and she sank onto the lowest step of the staircase. Leaning against the railing, tears trickled silently down her cheeks.

The dying light of the sunset seeped through the doorway, casting elongated shadows across the floor as she rested a hand on her barely noticeable bump. It had been two months, but the change was subtle.

Thankfully, she had enlisted Rafael’s help, who had managed a discreet favor with the OB-GYN to secure her pregnancy. Joelle had been staying home these past few days not because she was grieving over the abortion, but because she had been contemplating how to safely bring this child into the world.

She avoided reconciling with Adrian because she knew rekindling their relationship meant they would have to have sex—something her doctor explicitly warned against given her fragile condition. She was determined to protect her child, continuing to distance herself from Adrian.

As fall embraced Illerith, Lacey dropped by to visit, bringing Fiona along. In a private moment, Lacey expressed her remorse.

“I’m sorry, Joelle. I didn’t realize you were pregnant…” Her eyes welled up with regret. Lacey was not one to cry easily, but the sight of Joelle’s stoic sorrow broke her heart.

“It doesn’t matter. Adrian didn’t want the child anyway. The fact that Fiona managed to escape this engagement is already a victory.”

Initially, the Hudson family had stood firm on the engagement. However, once it became public that Spencer had been arrested, they severed all ties, claiming no association with him.

“Thank you.” Lacey grasped Joelle’s hand firmly. “Joelle, I’ll never forget this favor. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, just ask.”

Joelle responded, “Actually, there is something. But you must promise not to tell Adrian.”

Lacey was taken aback. She had known Adrian for years. Now that Joelle had said this, it meant she needed to choose a side. “I promise.”

Joelle rose and retrieved a file from the wardrobe, which she had kept hidden until the right moment.

“What’s this?”

“Case files?”

Lacey turned it over and gasped at the bold print on the cover—Ned Garner Rape Case Against Joelle Miller. Her eyes widened in realization. “Did Adrian cause you to lose the baby over this?”

Joelle nodded, her demeanor calm as she sipped her drink. “But I’m certain Ned did nothing to me that night. The charges for attempted versus actual rape differ significantly. Ned wouldn’t plead guilty without a reason. There’s something we’re missing.”

Lacey nodded in understanding. “You need me to uncover who’s really behind this, correct?”

“Yes. Adrian won’t believe me, so I have to rely on you.”

.

.

.