Chapter 108: Chapter 108



Joelle despised Adrian, but her hatred wasn’t strong enough to make her clap her hands when he had a car accident. She hurried through two blocks, stopping every so often, careful not to strain herself or the baby.

“Are you still awake?” she asked.

Adrian heard her labored breathing and asked, “You came all this way for me?”

“Just answer my question.”

Adrian was taken aback, and it took him some time to react. “I might have a concussion, but it’s not that serious.”

Still worried, Joelle asked, “Do you need me to call an ambulance?”

Adrian glanced at the control panel and found that it was malfunctioning. Even in a predicament, he still found it in himself to make a joke. “Calling the car insurance might actually be the smarter option.”

Joelle felt a wave of relief. She noticed a car that had crashed into a tree further down the road. At the red light, she stopped and saw the damaged car with its hazard lights blinking. She teased him, “It’s hard to imagine that a driver as experienced as you would be in a car accident.”

“A stray cat ran right in front of me,” Adrian replied with a sigh. He had been on the phone with Joelle and, distracted, hadn’t seen the tree until it was too late.

As Joelle approached, still on the phone, she asked, “Are you alright?”

Adrian managed to open the door and limp out, standing tall by the car. Joelle picked up the pace. Even seeing him standing didn’t soothe her immediately.

“You’re terrible, Adrian.”

He smiled, opened his arms, and embraced her. They proceeded to the hospital.

There, the doctor informed them of Adrian’s fractured lower leg and suggested he stay for treatment. “I have no time for that. There’s a meeting at work tomorrow,” he responded indifferently.

Joelle queried the doctor, “Is it possible for him to rest at home?”

The doctor responded, “Yes, but he should keep off his feet.”

Turning to Adrian, she asked, “If you won’t stay here, you need to work from home, understood?”

Adrian responded by reaching out from the bed. “Help me get back home.”

Though he was equipped with a cast and a crutch, he still relied heavily on Joelle for support. Together, they left the hospital. Leah had thoughtfully sent a driver for them.

The driver approached upon seeing them. Joelle, overwhelmed, whispered to herself, “You’re too busy for the hospital, but still make time for Rebecca?”

“What was that?” Adrian asked.

“Nothing.”

After settling into the car, they each took a seat on opposite ends of the back row. Joelle wrestled with mixed feelings. She had considered divorce, yet at the news of his accident, she had dashed to his side without a second thought. Was it truly that hard to let go of the man she had loved for eight years?

When they arrived home, they entered their bedroom one after the other. No sooner had the door closed than Joelle felt his arms encircle her from behind.

Her eyelids fluttered, revealing her inner turmoil. She couldn’t deny the lingering feelings she still harbored. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice raspy. “Since my father died, you’re the first who has cared so much.”

Tears filled Joelle’s eyes, and she tightened her fists. If he had shown such gratitude sooner, perhaps their relationship wouldn’t have soured. She put her hands on his arms, which were wrapped around her abdomen.

The baby was her only solace now. Adrian’s feelings could change, but her baby remained a constant, unchanging source of hope.

She said flatly, “I need to go to bed. I’m worn out.”

Adrian turned her toward him and kissed her with unchecked passion. In the past, Joelle would have responded shyly. Sometimes, he would open his eyes to find her eyelashes trembling and her cheeks faintly blushed. But this time, she pushed him away and lowered her gaze. “I’m really tired.”

Adrian continued, his lips moving to her sensitive earlobe and neck, his hands exploring her skin. “You really don’t want to?”

“No,” Joelle replied, her face void of any smile.

Initially, he was about to tighten his embrace, but upon hearing her answer, he loosened his grip. “Give me a reason.”

Joelle tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “The doctor advised against intimacy after my abortion.”

Adrian swallowed and protested, “But it’s been so long.”

“I don’t feel so good.” Joelle walked to the bathroom. It wasn’t until she closed the bathroom door behind her that he was the one who had been turned down.

He knew Joelle hadn’t been herself since the operation, but when he tried to get close, her reactions remained distant and cold. In the past, she had always been so eager, calling out his nickname.

Over time, she had become quiet and subdued around him, always gentle but lacking any real emotion. More and more, she kept her thoughts to herself and hid her true feelings from him.

Adrian limped towards the bathroom and found Joelle combing her hair. “What’s the matter?” she asked.

“Would you like to see the snow?” Adrian asked, his voice tinged with frustration and irritation.

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