Chapter 112: Chapter 112



That afternoon, Joelle went back to work. Once she was there, a colleague approached her and nudged her arm playfully.

“Hey, was the guy who visited during lunchtime your boyfriend or husband?”

Joelle assumed she meant Rafael. “We’re just friends. There’s nothing more to it.”

“A friend who brought you lunch? He even showed up with a crutch. What’s really going on? Come on, spill it! When did you start dating the guy?”

Lunch? And a crutch? Joelle was puzzled. “You must have mixed me up with someone else. Anyway, I have to go teach my students now. See you later.”

“No, I’m sure it was you! All the parents said he was here for you. And he’s quite handsome too!”

Before she could even finish her statement, Joelle ran off. Later that evening, Joelle went home straight from work.

Meanwhile, Leah was bustling about in the kitchen. Joelle scanned the area and noticed Adrian was absent. “Leah, what are we having for dinner?”

Leah pulled at her arm. “Mr. Miller has been really down since he got back. Maybe you should check on him.” Joelle paused, her face a mix of concern and pretense. “What’s bothering him?”

Leah bit her lip and shook her head. “I’m not sure; he’s been holed up in the study all day.”

Joelle considered for a moment. “I’ll go see how he’s doing.”

The study door was slightly open, and Joelle pushed it further. She hadn’t even changed out of her light green dress when she saw Adrian on the sofa, absorbed in an old film.

Joelle knocked on the door, catching Adrian’s attention. Her heart fluttered as she was attracted by his striking features. “Leah wants to know when you’d like dinner.”

“I’m not hungry; don’t wait for me.”

Adrian turned away abruptly. Joelle noticed a half-drunk bottle of liquor on the coffee table. She hesitated briefly, then decided to act.

She strode over and grabbed the glass from his hand. “You’re still recuperating; you shouldn’t be drinking.”

Adrian met her gaze and abruptly pulled her towards him. Joelle lost her footing and ended up sitting on his unharmed leg. “Let go of me!”

Adrian clung to her, unfastening the top button of her dress. “Who did you meet at noon?”

His inquiry seemed random, yet it weighed heavily on Joelle, making her breath hitch.

Suddenly, it dawned on her. “You were the one who came to see me at noon?”

“If I hadn’t come to see you, I wouldn’t have caught you crying in his embrace!”

The sound of fabric tearing echoed in the room as Joelle’s dress was ripped, exposing her chest. She tried to cover herself, but Adrian grasped her wrist and moved it aside.

“Is it so shameful to be married to me? Is that it?”

“No…” Joelle fought to push him away.

Adrian tightened his hold on her thigh, and with a forceful twist, she was sitting astride his waist. Concerned about his injured leg, Joelle carefully shifted her weight to rest on his neck and shoulders.

She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. “Adrian, the doctor said you need to avoid exertion.”

Adrian scoffed as he began to unbuckle his belt. “Then it’s up to you to move, isn’t it?”

Joelle’s hands clenched, her mind racing with thoughts of the fragile child she was carrying. She knew she couldn’t engage with Adrian in such a state. “Adrian, please, let me get up.”

His response was cold and dismissive. “Even if I don’t let you go, what can you do?”

In a panic, Joelle started to beat against him with her fists, but Adrian effortlessly captured her wrists in one hand, leaving her helpless.

His free hand wandered under her dress, touching her skin with a chilling familiarity. Joelle looked despairingly at the ceiling. “You’re going to regret this!”

“The biggest regret of my life is marrying you.” He easily slipped the remaining fabric from around her waist. “No, please, I can explain. There’s really nothing going on between Rafael and me!” Joelle pleaded once more.

“Too late.” Adrian gently bit her earlobe. “I enjoy seeing you cry, but not before another man. Will you cry for me later, Joelle?”

Joelle had a bad feeling. Adrian had clearly lost all reason.

At that moment, Adrian’s phone rang. Joelle saw the caller ID first. “It’s Rebecca calling!”

Adrian scowled, about to dismiss the call, but Joelle quickly swiped to answer it. “Hello? Rebecca, were you looking for Adrian? He’s right here beside me!”

Rebecca thought Joelle was flaunting her relationship with Adrian. Rebecca pinched her lips together, mustering a polite, albeit forced smile. Her tone was deceptively sweet and naive. “Could you pass the phone to Adie for me? Thanks, Joelle.”

“Sure.” Joelle extended the phone towards Adrian, arching an eyebrow. “Here, your girlfriend wants a word.” Adrian shot Joelle a look, then activated the speakerphone.

“Be quick, I’m busy.” He continued his actions, playfully nibbling on Joelle’s neck, which made her emit a series of soft moans.

Rebecca’s smile faltered, her composure cracking.

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