Chapter 23: Chapter 23



Joelle was utterly drained, too weary to muster even a hint of resistance. “Is there something you need from me?” Adrian’s gaze drifted to the table, where a sparse meal of unappealing, undernourished vegetables lay, a stark indicator of how difficult life had become for her since leaving the Miller family.

The room felt even smaller as Adrian’s tall frame loomed, his presence intensifying the sense of confinement. His dark eyes locked onto her. “Did my mother come to see you?” Joelle remained silent. Without another word, Adrian stepped closer, taking her arms and rolling up her sleeves. He saw a pattern of red welts and bruises that marred her skin. His frown deepened.

He had come because Amara’s driver had called him, detailing how his mother had lost control. The driver had told him what happened. Amara completely lost it, but apart from a slap, her other hits weren’t that hard. Joelle’s skin was so delicate that even a slight pinch would leave marks that took days to fade. He couldn’t forget the finger-shaped bruises he had left on her waist just the night before.

Joelle, sensing his gaze, quickly pulled her sleeves down, hiding the evidence. “What do you want, Adrian? Is there news from Landen?” Ignoring her question, Adrian asked, “Does it hurt?” Joelle raised her hands to shield her face. “Not really.”

Adrian glanced around the room. “Do you have a first-aid kit? Have you at least applied some ointment?” Joelle shook her head slightly. She had always been diligent about keeping such things on hand, but the recent move had left her unprepared. “I haven’t had the time. It’ll heal in a few days; there’s no need.”

“That’s not good enough. A swollen face isn’t something you should just ignore. Go get an ice pack and use it.” “Okay.” Adrian reached out, his hand hovering as if to touch her, but she instinctively stepped back, putting a deliberate distance between them. “I’m fine, Adrian. You don’t need to worry.”

Her coldness ignited something within him—an anger he couldn’t quite understand. Joelle wasn’t throwing a tantrum or causing a scene, but her compliance felt off—an unsettling shift from before. Something had definitely changed. “You mentioned my father in front of my mother. She let you off easy with just a slap,” Adrian said, his voice cold and detached.

Joelle nodded. “Yeah, I shouldn’t have offended her!” This wasn’t the reaction Adrian had expected. He had anticipated tears, a plea that she hadn’t meant any harm, a desperate search for his comfort. But instead, Joelle was as unfeeling as a machine. Joelle had been waiting, thinking Adrian had come to discuss Landen. But all he seemed to care about were the bruises on her body. It was clear now that his promise to investigate Landen’s matter had been nothing more than a hollow gesture.

Fortunately, Joelle had already asked Katherine to look into it. She had stopped expecting anything from Adrian. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Rebecca, in a white dress, stood there and asked, “Joelle, are you okay?” Joelle paused, surprised to see Rebecca. If Rebecca was here, it meant Adrian had brought her along.

So, before coming to see her, Adrian had been with Rebecca? Her suspicion was confirmed in the next breath. “Joelle, Adie and I were on our way to dinner when we heard something happened to you, so we decided to drop by,” Rebecca said, holding up a bag from the pharmacy. “I bought some anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medicine, along with an ice pack. If you don’t mind, please take them.” She stepped forward, placing the items on the cabinet by the door.

Joelle’s frown deepened. “I don’t need them!” Rebecca flinched at Joelle’s sudden outburst, her hands clasping over her chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to irk you, Joelle.” Rebecca’s act as the timid, apologetic girl was flawless. But Joelle had seen Rebecca’s videos online—where she was always lively and cheerful, brimming with energy. This timid act was nothing but a charade, but Joelle couldn’t expose her. After all, Rebecca was the one Adrian cared about. Even if Joelle yelled at Rebecca or had a tantrum, what difference would it really make?

“I’m not angry.” Joelle forced a smile. “I just don’t want your things.” Rebecca froze, her face flushing with embarrassment. She turned to Adrian, her eyes pleading. “Adie, does Joelle hate me? If that’s the case, maybe you should take me home now. I don’t want to upset her.”

Adrian’s tone turned icy. “Joelle, apologize!” Before Joelle could respond, Rebecca quickly spoke. “It’s okay, Adie. Joelle, you don’t need to apologize. I know you didn’t mean it. It’s my fault for overstepping, buying those things for you.” She smiled self-deprecatingly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Someone like me has no right to help you with anything.”

“Rebecca, you did nothing wrong. Joelle, apologize!” Adrian’s commanding tone left no room for argument, sealing the outcome of this farce with finality.

.

.

.