Chapter 21: Chapter 21



Adrian stopped midway through dressing and flicked on the small nightlight for her. In a hushed tone, he said, “Get some sleep. I’ll be back in an hour.” To Joelle, whenever Adrian promised to return, it felt like an empty assurance, as though he might never actually come back.

Joelle didn’t try to stop him. Even if she had protested, Adrian would have left anyway. She had already braced herself for this. “Okay. Be careful driving. It’s raining.” Pleased with Joelle’s obedience, Adrian kissed her at the corner of her mouth. “Wait for me to come back. Then we’ll continue trying to make that baby.” Joelle mustered a smile, albeit a forced one.

As the night stretched on, Adrian did not come back. The next morning, Joelle found herself having breakfast alone. Leah, visibly confused, asked, “Why did Mr. Miller leave all of a sudden last night?” Joelle offered only a weak smile in response. What was there left to be disappointed about?

After finishing a cup of milk, she informed Leah, “I won’t be coming home tonight. I’ll be at my rented apartment.” “Madam, that’s not safe!” Leah urged, panic in her voice. “Please, stay here. Mr. Miller has been coming home every day recently.”

It was true that Adrian had been returning home daily, but he was just trying to impregnate Joelle, as if checking off a task assigned by Irene. Joelle stood up and declared, “Leah, please tell Irene I’ve made up my mind to divorce Adrian. Also, tell Adrian that if he wants to have a child, he should have one with his mistress.”

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“Divorce? Mistress?” The news stunned Leah. By the time she regained her composure, Joelle had already left. Leah decided against telling Irene Joelle’s message, fearing Irene wouldn’t be able to handle such a shock. And if Lyla and her husband caught wind of this, they’d use it to stir up trouble. After pondering for a while, Leah decided to call Adrian and relay Joelle’s message.

There was a brief pause on the line. At last, Adrian responded coldly, “If she wants to leave, let her! She brings up the divorce every day. Does she think she can just come and go whenever she pleases?”

“She isn’t like that,” Leah countered, knowing Joelle wasn’t one to take divorce lightly. “Sir, is it true about the other woman?” Just then, a soft, delicate voice whispered over the phone, “Adrian, it hurts.” What the hell? Leah’s grip tightened on the phone. That voice was not Joelle’s! Who could be speaking so intimately with Adrian at this hour? Leah pressed the phone closer to her ear, hoping to glean more from the conversation.

The woman on the other end of the call fell silent, and Adrian’s stern voice boomed from inside the room. “Leah, don’t pry into things that aren’t your concern.” With that, Adrian ended the call. “Oh, my God!” No wonder Joelle wanted a divorce. It was only then that Leah understood where Joelle was coming from.

Joelle made her way back to her rented apartment to change clothes before heading over to Olive Villas. She had an agreement with the Walters family for lessons every other day. Josiah was fond of her, but due to his fragile health, he needed ample rest. Despite his seemingly cold and distant demeanor, Joelle had discovered that Josiah was not good at conveying his emotions. His feelings, whether of happiness, anger, sadness, or joy, manifested in extreme ways.

Using sign language, Joelle conveyed to him, “Music is the world’s most emotional medium. Your feelings come alive through the notes you play.” Josiah nodded. His eyes briefly paused on her wrist. “Has your right wrist still not healed?”

With a resigned smile, Joelle responded, “I wish it would more than anyone.” “My cousin’s a doctor. Would you like him to take a look?” Joelle smiled. “No need. My injury’s a secret, and I prefer to keep it that way. Promise you won’t tell anyone, okay?” She extended her pinky. Josiah’s ears turned red as he linked his pinky with hers.

Once she was done with the lesson, Joelle decided to stop at the supermarket near her apartment complex to pick up some vegetables and meat before heading home. Upon exiting the store, her mood darkened when she spotted a Miller family car parked by the roadside. Her smile vanished when she locked eyes with Amara, who was seated in the back. Despite Amara’s coldness towards her, Joelle approached the car out of respect. After all, Amara was Adrian’s mother.

“Amara,” Joelle greeted. “Get in the car,” Amara ordered. Joelle climbed in, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. Amara glanced at the groceries near Joelle’s feet. “What’s this? Joelle, is our family too poor to provide food that you have to do this?”

Joelle looked up and went straight to the point. “Is there something you want to talk about?” Amara withdrew her gaze. “Leah told me about what’s happening between you and Adrian. Even if there’s another woman, no one can take your place as Adrian’s wife. Now, go back home.” She paused for a few seconds and scrutinized Joelle from head to toe. “If Lyla finds out about your situation, Adrian’s reputation will be ruined.”

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