Rafael sent Joelle home.
Before they parted, Rafael advised, âYouâve had some pretty intense mood swings today. If you start to feel worse, go to the hospital right away. You know we need to be extra careful about the baby.â
Joelle replied, âOkay. Iâm sorry for all the trouble today, Rafael.â
Rafael hesitated, then asked the question that had been gnawing at him. âDid you use me to lure Adrian there? You knew heâd show up at the pool room, didnât you?â
Joelle didnât deny it. With the situation already spiraling out of control, there was no point in pretending otherwise.
âYes. Iâm sorry, Rafael.â
Rafael pulled her into an embrace. âI donât blame you. I never will. But after everything thatâs happened, you may have no choice but to divorce Adrian.â
âIf thatâs what it comes to, so be it.â Joelle closed her eyes and swallowed the bitterness. She had spent eight years loving Adrian, but now, she resolved to let go of the past. âI donât care anymore. Thereâs someone else I need to protect now. Rafael, promise me that no one will know about the baby. Itâs mine alone.â
âI promise, Joelle. Iâll protect you and the baby. Always.â
That night, Adrian didnât come home.
gⱯlnÏνð®ðsâ¤com is where magic happens Days passed without any sign of him.
It didnât bother Joelle at all. Leah noticed something amiss and asked, âMrs. Miller, Mr. Miller hasnât been home for several days. Is there too much work at the company?â
Wiping her violin, Joelle replied, âIf youâre looking for him, try the hospital. Heâs probably in Rebeccaâs ward!â
Leah gasped, a sense of dread creeping in.
Something was definitely wrong.
She hurried back to the Miller Mansion, her heart pounding. Fearing that Irene could faint from shock, Leah confided in Amara instead.
âAdrian hasnât been home for days. And it looks like Joelle doesnât give a hoot. Think theyâve had a blow-up?â Amara set down her glass with a sigh. âHow troublesome! Whatâs he waiting for? He shouldâve gotten Joelle pregnant by now! Does he want to give Lyla and her family another reason to attack us?â Lillian stood nearby, barely daring to breathe.
Amara slammed her hand on the table, her frustration boiling over. âThatâs it! Iâm going to see for myself.â Leah followed Amara to the gate, where they found Quincyâs car parked. Quincy, Katie, and Lyla were there. Since Irene was absent, the two groups didnât even bother pretending.
âAmara, where are you heading?â Quincy asked, his gaze briefly flicking to Leah. âHello, Leah. Youâre back! Is something wrong with Adrian and Joelle?â
âItâs none of your concern!â Amara replied coldly. âYouâd better worry about Spencer.â
As she turned to leave, she heard Katieâs voice rise behind her.
âDad, Mom, did you hear? Adrian made Joelle get an abortion! It was their baby! But Erick and Rebecca tricked him into thinking he wasnât the father, so he forced Joelle to get rid of it!â
Lyla pretended not to see Amara stop. âIs that so? Then be careful when you tell Irene, or sheâll flip out.â Katie snorted. âDonât worry. I know what to say.â
âWhat was that?â Amara turned around, striding over to Katie and gripping her arm with a force that seemed ready to snap it. âWhat nonsense are you spewing?â
Lyla quickly stepped between them. âAmara, if you want the truth, go ask Adrian or Joelle! Donât take it out on Katie.â
âBah!â Amara shook them both off, her eyes blazing. âSpread lies again, and Iâll make you regret it! Joelle lost her baby because of Spencer!â
Quincy forced a smile. âAmara, be reasonable. Spencerâs screwed up plenty, but you canât blame him for everything.â
After the group left, Leah anxiously tugged on Amaraâs arm. âCould it be true? Was what they said real?â
âHow should I know? You stay with them every day!â Amara snapped.
âI thought the baby was lost because of Spencer! Besides, Adrian and Joelle seem fine these days.â
âEnough!â Amara rubbed her temples, a headache brewing. âTake me to Joelle. I need to hear it from her.â
When they arrived, Joelle was adjusting her violin.
The sight only fueled Amaraâs anger. âWhereâs Adrian? Why arenât you with him? And you are in the mood to play that damn violin?â
Joelle met Amaraâs fury with quiet composure.
âAmara, please, have a seat. Iâll get you some water.â
âI donât want water!â Amara grabbed Joelleâs hand. âTell me how you lost the baby!â
Joelle winced but spoke evenly. âOthers might not know, but you do! The baby was lost because Adrian ordered it!â
âThatâs ridiculous!â Amara hissed, her voice lowering. âIf Irene hears that, sheâll turn against Adrian! And you know what? He finally took Spencer down. Do you want to ruin everything?â
Joelleâs eyes turned cold. âBut my baby is gone! Who else can I blame? Who else can I seek revenge on but Adrian?â
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