Chapter 117: Chapter 117



Joelle had already informed Leah she’d be dining with Shawn. However, she hadn’t anticipated Adrian arriving to fetch her himself.

As Adrian emerged from the car, limping slightly, he made a point of greeting Shawn out of courtesy. Shawn’s reception was tepid. He was aware of Joelle’s pragmatic approach towards Adrian during their meal. Since Joelle wouldn’t fully commit to being Adrian’s wife, Shawn felt no qualms about using the relationship for mutual benefits. They were adults, and maintaining a polite facade seemed more appropriate than fostering animosity.

“Ready to go home?” Adrian’s embrace around Joelle made them appear a united couple.

Joelle nodded, then turned to their company. “We’re heading out, Shawn. Bye, Katherine. Drive safely.”

“Don’t worry!”

Adrian opened the car door for Joelle. Once she was seated, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Shawn. Shawn accepted it, lighting up. “Anything else?”

“I managed to smooth things over with those tough clients for you. Let me know if you need anything else. We’re family.”

Shawn paused, taken aback. His day had gone unusually smooth, and now he understood why—Adrian had intervened.

“It’s been three years, and now you say we’re family? Isn’t that a bit late?” Shawn asked, his smile polite but his eyes piercing.

Beside them, Katherine’s emotions were a mix of terror and thrill. Leaning casually against the car, Adrian responded, “The situation has changed. Joelle and I have decided to start a family. We’re planning a happy life together from now on.”

Shawn saw the resolve in Adrian’s eyes when he spoke. He knew children often cemented relationships. Adrian’s commitment to a shared future with Joelle signaled a shift in his intentions. Yet, whether this change would be enough for Joelle remained uncertain.

“Get in the car. That’s your issue to handle. But I have one condition—you can’t hurt Joelle anymore. She’s endured too much over the years. She might not tell me everything, but that doesn’t mean I’m unaware,” Shawn asserted.

“I won’t,” Adrian replied with conviction. “No one can make her suffer.”

As the car pulled away, Katherine, standing beside Shawn, scoffed, “Men are so fickle. His attitude towards Joelle would never have changed if not for the baby. What’s he implying? That he’s being forced to change just because of the child? Typical. Bastards never truly change!”

Listening to her rant, Shawn finished his cigarette and crushed it underfoot. Turning to her, he asked, “Putting Joelle aside, what’s going on with you?”

“What about me?” Katherine responded, her expression blank.

Their gazes locked. Shawn hesitated, his emotions tangled. “If there’s something you’re reluctant to share with Joelle, you can confide in me. Don’t shoulder important matters alone. Tell me, and we can figure it out together.”

Katherine’s confusion deepened. Why was Shawn suddenly so invested in her affairs? Earlier at dinner, she mentioned she couldn’t drink because of her period, and she noticed a complex look in Shawn’s eyes. She puzzled over his reaction—what was so perplexing about that?

“Okay. I hear you,” she responded dismissively. “What’s your relationship with Bobby?” Shawn inquired.

“Friends.”

“That’s it?”

After a pause, she quipped, “Actually, he’s my son.”

Shawn didn’t smile at her joke. His stern look made Katherine’s unease grow. “Shawn, why do you suddenly pay so much attention to me?”

“No reason.” Shawn gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Let’s head back.”

“Okay.”

Once home, Katherine powered on her phone and noticed a comment from Frankie on the post about the Eugene Riley vinyl. “What a coincidence! I have one, too.”

Katherine chose not to respond immediately. After her shower, she checked her phone again and saw a message from Frankie. “Do you like Eugene, too?”

Katherine typed back, “It’s actually for a friend.”

Frankie asked, “Your boyfriend?”

Katherine replied, “I’m single.”

Frankie responded, “Me too.”

Katherine queried, “So?”

Frankie explained, “We can chat freely then. Can I ask you something personal?”

Raising an eyebrow, Katherine typed back, “What is it?”

Frankie said, “I just found out a friend of my sister’s is pregnant. She keeps it a secret, but I really want to help. What should I do?”

Sitting on her bed, Katherine pondered before asking, “Do you have feelings for her?”

Frankie clarified, “I care for her, yes. But it’s like she’s family.”

Katherine advised, “If she’s keeping it under wraps, she has her reasons. The best you can do as a friend is to support her unconditionally. Just be there for her, and she’ll open up when she’s ready.”

Frank responded, “Support her, huh? That makes sense. I guess I haven’t been attentive enough before.”

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