Chapter 204: Chapter 204



Liza and Belle arrived home.

“Mom, do you really want Joelle to marry Rafael?” Belle sighed deeply. “Rafael has already married her in secret. If we don’t have a proper wedding, how would Rafael feel?”

Liza stood silently for a moment before Belle called out to her.

“Liza, come over here! Why are you just standing there?”

“Oh, coming!”

Liza walked over to assist Belle with her nightgown. “Mom, Rafael has been with Joelle for the last three years and hasn’t visited us even once. If she were truly thoughtful, wouldn’t she have encouraged him to visit us? We’ve been so worried about him. It seems he’s forgotten us since he got married.”

A determined look crossed her face. “Mom, before the wedding, we have to ensure that Rafael and Joelle don’t share a room.”

“Why?” Belle looked puzzled.

Liza lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Think about it. Rafael hasn’t come home because of his two kids. If Joelle has another, Rafael will be even more tied down. Then, at any call from Joelle, he would have to rush back to take care of three children and her. Why should he be trapped like that? Rafael has never had to endure such things.”

“You’re right!” Belle clapped her hands, her eyes brightening. “That makes perfect sense! I’ll call Rafael right now and give him a piece of my mind!”

At the police station, Paula endured hours of interrogation. Despite knowing she was at fault, she blamed Aurora for deceiving her. She swore once she was out, she would teach the girl a lesson. Ultimately, she found herself locked up alongside petty criminals. It was her first time in such a dismal place, whereas the others seemed more accustomed to it, frequenting the jail more often than their own homes.

Your next story begins at galnovels . com Paula clutched the iron bars. “Officer, when can I get out of here?”

“When someone bails you out.”

Paula had alienated her old friends after getting to know Adrian, believing herself above them all. And as for Adrian, she harbored no illusions of him coming to her aid.

By midnight, hunger and cold crept in. She huddled on the floor, shivering. The shared toilet, the lack of privacy, and the stench of urine overwhelmed her. Despair started to set in, and she was on the brink of tears when an officer called her out.

“Someone’s bailed you out. You’re free to go.”

Paula didn’t know who had done her this favor, but she vowed to remember it. Outside, she spotted a woman in a sunhat and sunglasses. Dressed like that at such an hour, it was clear she wanted to keep her identity hidden.

Paula approached the mysterious woman. “Did you bail me out?”

Rebecca gave a curt nod. “Yes.”

Paula eyed her suspiciously. “Why would you help me?”

“Because we have a common enemy.”

Paula paused, piecing things together quickly. “It was you who called me about that little girl being Adrian’s child?”

Rebecca simply glanced at her watch, avoiding a direct answer. “I helped you once; now you owe me. Are we agreed?”

“Why should I trust you? Who are you exactly?”

“You don’t need to know who I am. Just answer me—do you want revenge?”

“Of course! But that child is Adrian’s daughter, isn’t she? If I act against her, Adrian will retaliate.”

Rebecca assured her. “I have a plan to keep Adrian in the dark, but you must follow my lead.”

Paula observed Rebecca, noting her frail appearance, which belied any sense of threat. Deciding to follow, Paula walked out with her, curiosity piqued.

Along the way, she prodded, “Who are you, really?”

“My name is Rebecca Lloyd. You must know of me.” She had been a fixture in Adrian’s circle for years and assumed her reputation preceded her.

Paula, however, was clueless. “Rebecca? Never heard of you. What’s your relation to Adrian?”

Rebecca stifled her irritation. If she hadn’t needed this fool’s help, she never would have paid to get her out of that grimy police station.

“His girlfriend.”

Paula immediately grew cautious.

Rebecca saw her reaction and began to craft a sympathetic narrative. “He and I are in love, but Amara doesn’t approve. She adopted me as her daughter to keep us apart.”

Paula looked skeptical. “You and Adrian are in love? Then why did he keep me by his side?”

“Purely to irritate Amara! He’s always had a tumultuous relationship with his mother.”

Paula wasn’t convinced. If she took Rebecca’s word without question, she’d be a fool.

“I see. You’re trying to get me on your side, aren’t you?”

Rebecca grasped her hand, urgency in her voice. “Paula, helping me is helping yourself! When I marry Adrian, I won’t forget what you did for me today!”

“Alright, I understand,” Paula responded, deciding to see where this alliance could lead. “Rebecca, just remember me when you become Mrs. Miller!”

.

.

.