Chapter 47: Chapter 47



Adrian and Michael drove over when they saw Joelle being robbed. “Get in the car,” Adrian said calmly. Joelle knew she had no other choice. Her pockets were as empty as her spirit, and refusing help now would only be foolish.

When they arrived at the police station, Joelle made her statement first. The police then questioned Adrian and Michael as witnesses, gathering details of the incident. Later, when Adrian returned to the room, Joelle was struggling to apply medicine to her wounds. Her elbow was badly burned, and her body bore countless scrapes.

She frowned deeply, clearly in pain, but she remained silent, refusing to let any tears fall despite the sting in her eyes. Seeing her struggle, Adrian’s heart tightened. He strode over and snatched the cotton swab from her hand. “I can do it myself!” Joelle protested.

Adrian’s voice was sharp. “You were too stubborn to let go of your bag. How foolish. And now you want to take care of this yourself? What can you even do?”

“Those documents are important to me,” Joelle snapped back, her frustration evident. Adrian rolled his eyes. “You value papers over your life.”

“It’s not about money,” Joelle retorted, taking a deep breath. “Forget it. I’m too tired to argue.” Adrian didn’t want to argue either. He quickly and efficiently applied the medicine, his touch precise and careful.

“When do the police think they’ll have any leads?” Joelle asked. She knew this wasn’t like back home, where security cameras dotted every corner. Here, law enforcement moved at a slower pace, and she braced herself for the wait. Adrian answered honestly, “You’re not getting any news today. The soonest you might hear back is in three days.”

Joelle sighed, realizing that quick results were unlikely in a foreign country. “Let’s just head out then.” “Where to?” Adrian asked. “I want to visit my teacher.”

Michael, who had just wrapped up his statement, overheard their conversation as he walked in. “‘Joelle, it’s not safe for you to be out alone right now. You never know what could happen,” he warned. Joelle’s fear was evident, and Michael nodded towards Adrian. “Take Adrian with you. He’s got nothing better to do anyway.”

Ten minutes later, Joelle found herself in Adrian’s car, treating him like her personal driver and bodyguard. “So, Katherine didn’t pick up on anything yesterday, did she?” Adrian asked. Joelle’s face heated with embarrassment at the mention. “No, she didn’t,” she replied, attempting to keep her voice steady.

Adrian gave her a sideways glance, his smile hard to read. “So, you enjoy this?” Joelle turned her gaze out the window. “No, but if the opportunity presents itself, I’m not going to refuse.”

Adrian’s expression darkened. “Joelle, when did you start talking like that? Who put those ideas in your head?” “Do I really need someone to teach me this?” Joelle shot back, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “If I were to lower my standards to match yours and Rebecca’s, I could say much worse.”

Joelle’s retorts had grown increasingly sharp. Adrian laughed, a mix of surprise and sarcasm in his voice. “Seems I didn’t quite make my point last night.” Joelle tensed, the aching in her legs a harsh reminder of their encounter. Adrian’s words carried an ominous undertone. “Adrian, let’s get one thing clear. I’m not playing games when I say I want a divorce. Just because I shared your bed last night doesn’t give you the right to claim me whenever you please.”

Adrian drove on, his lips a firm line, his silence heavy. Was this truly not a game? Joelle’s earlier compliance puzzled him. If she were merely playing hard to get, he might have commended her skill. Surprisingly, he found himself less resistant to their marriage now.

They arrived at Sloane’s apartment building. Joelle ascended the steps and knocked on the door, Adrian a few paces behind. Sloane, older and more worn than Joelle remembered, opened the door and recoiled in shock. Seconds later, she seized an umbrella and began to chase them off. “Leave! Leave! I don’t know you! I don’t want to see you either!” The umbrella swiped at Joelle’s injured arm, but she stood resolute, wincing yet steadfast. “I’m sorry, Sloane.”

Fury undiminished, Sloane hurled shoes at Joelle, aiming squarely as she stood at the door. Suddenly, Adrian’s large hand encircled Joelle, pulling her back as he stepped forward to shield her. With calm authority, he addressed Sloane. “Please, show some respect to my wife.”

As Adrian spoke, Joelle sensed the situation spiraling. True to her fears, Sloane’s fury pivoted towards him. “It’s all because of you! You ruined her! It’s all your fault!” Adrian’s eyes narrowed, ready to retort, but Joelle intervened, spreading her arms to shield him. “Sloane, I made these choices. They’re on me, not him.”

Silence hung in the air briefly, charged with tension. Overcome with anger, Sloane hurled the umbrella at Joelle one final time before returning to the living room. In the quiet that followed, Adrian began to gather the items strewn across the floor. Joelle, struggling to hold back tears, forced a smile and approached her teacher, who sat rigid on the sofa. “Sloane, I’m truly sorry.”

She reached out to hold Sloane’s hand, but Sloane pulled away without hesitation. “Joelle, you were my only student. I devoted everything to you! And yet, you discarded it all for a man, betraying my expectations.”

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