Chapter 183: Chapter 183



Shawn had amassed a collection of muscle-flexing selfies for his online girlfriend. Realizing they served no further purpose, he sent Katherine a final batch before decisively deleting her from his contacts. With that, his habitual phone-checking ceased; there was no longer anyone with whom to share his thoughts or moments. Alone with his sorrow, Shawn drowned his emotions in alcohol, the sting of isolation sharp and raw.

Katherine, meanwhile, struggled to grasp the situation. She had believed Frankie’s affections were genuine, their camaraderie too real to be mere jest. Being dumped so abruptly wounded her deeply, challenging her resolve to move forward unscathed. Despite her efforts to push past the hurt, a profound sadness lingered days after their sudden split.

During a visit to Joelle’s, Shawn was taken aback to hear Katherine’s voice resonating from a video call the moment he walked in, almost prompting him to retreat. “Joelle, why would he do this to me?” Katherine’s voice trembled with emotion across the line. Through tears, she confessed, “Do you know how difficult it is for me to open up to someone? I was hoping to network through him, but it backfired. I’ve lost more than I’ve gained, and now he’s cut me off completely.”

Feeling a pang of guilt, Shawn asked Joelle, “What’s happened to her?” Holding her baby, Joelle sighed. “She’s heartbroken.”

“Really?” Shawn tried to maintain a calm facade. “Bobby?” Joelle shook her head. “No, someone else.”

Noticing Shawn, Katherine turned her tear-streaked face towards him and asked, “Shawn, why would a man suddenly end things with his girlfriend without any warning?”

Caught off guard and realizing the depth of Katherine’s distress, Shawn struggled to formulate a response. He understood then just how much he had hurt her, hearing the pain and slight drunken slur in her voice. “There are plenty of good men out there. Why fixate on one who doesn’t reciprocate your feelings?” he managed to say, his voice heavy with unspoken regret.

He did care, far more than he had let on. Their playful exchanges, the endearing nicknames, the intensity of their interactions—all resonated with a poignant echo in his heart. Who would fill that void now?

Katherine belched noisily, defiantly proclaiming, “You’re right, he’s just a man. Just because he’s attractive, has a charming voice, and wealth doesn’t mean I can’t find someone else! Who do I think I am? I don’t care!”

Shawn tried to bolster her spirit. “Exactly, that’s the spirit.” However, her bravado quickly crumbled as she began to sob again. “Your voice, it’s just like his! Frankie! You jerk! Why pretend when you’re married? Cheater!”

Joelle, concerned the noise might upset her baby, quickly exited the room with her child. “Shawn, please, try to console her,” she urged as she left. In that moment, Shawn felt a desperate need to flee and find a secluded spot to cry himself.

Meanwhile, Joelle, cradling her premature baby, stepped out to consult with the pediatrician. She bumped into Rafael in the hallway, her greeting bright despite the circumstances. “Rafael!”

Rafael managed a strained smile and inquired, “How’s the baby?”

“She’s doing remarkably well for her prematurity. Strong as if she were full-term,” Joelle replied, handing him a piece of paper. “Shawn and I have been brainstorming some names for her. Could you help us choose one?” As Rafael glanced at the list, his thoughts drifted to Joelle’s struggles and murmurs of Adrian in the hospital, troubling him. He had said he didn’t mind Joelle’s past, but he was deeply concerned about her present and future, especially since Adrian still held a significant place in her heart.

He was willing to give, but not without expecting something in return. He never got involved in hopeless causes. Seeing Joelle’s distress over Adrian’s situation, which had caused her early labor, Rafael suddenly realized something.

“Sorry, Joelle, I’m a bit drained,” Rafael confessed, returning the paper; his interest in participating faded.

Joelle’s face dropped, her disappointment evident. She had valued Rafael’s opinion because of his continuous support. Someday, she planned to tell her daughter about Rafael’s steadfast presence during their toughest times. “That’s alright,” Joelle replied gently, understanding his need for space. “Rafael, you should get some rest.”

“Okay,” Rafael agreed, his departure slow, weighed down by emotional fatigue, gradually disappearing from Joelle’s sight.

Days later, Joelle received unexpected news. Her father, Austin Watson, the former chairman of Watson Group and long in a coma, had reportedly awakened. When Joelle relayed this to Shawn, his response was skeptical. He had people monitoring the nursing home, and there had been no sign of Austin’s improvement.

“Shawn, how can this be? We haven’t received any news here, so where did this information come from?” Joelle asked, puzzled.

Shawn paused, then hinted, “Joelle, can’t you guess?” Joelle was momentarily stunned, yet realization dawned on her. “Is it something Adrian released?”

.

.

.