?<strong>Chapter 10:</strong>


    Adrian thought Joelle didn’t want him to leave. But just as he was about to express his displeasure, she said, “I’ll go with you.” When they got out of the car, they found the person lying on the ground was indeed Reba. Pale and fragile in a white dress, shey unconscious by the roadside.


    “Reba!” Adrian called out. Joelle had never seen him so unsettled. She watched as her husband rushed to Reba’s aid. In Adrian’s arms, Reba gradually regained some consciousness. With glistening eyes, she looked up at him. “Adie, how did I end up here?”


    “Do you have any idea how dangerous this ce is?” Adrian uttered. His voice, though reproachful, was tinged with concern. Joelle couldn’t describe how she felt at that moment. Adrian’s tone, the concern in his eyes… She used to be the recipient of such attention. But now, she was forced to watch him give the same care and affection to another woman. Suddenly, she felt like an intruder. She deeply regretted her decision to step out of the car.


    Reba clutched at Adrian’s clothes as if clinging to a lifeline. She curled up slightly with tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I thought I was at the hospital with Erick. But then I cked out. Adie, are you really here? Is this real?” Reba reached out her trembling hand to touch Adrian’s face. Adrian caught her hand, careful to maintain a sense of propriety in front of Joelle.


    “I’ll take you back to the hospital.” He lifted Reba in his arms and walked past Joelle as if she weren’t even there. Joelle didn’t even shed a tear when she mailed the wedding ring and divorce agreement to Adrian. But now, tears streamed down her face uncontrobly.


    “Adrian, what about me?” She clutched his jacket around her, but it no longer offered warmth. “Are you just going to leave me here?”


    Adrian’s steps faltered. He then turned to the driver and instructed, “Take Joelle home.”


    Home? Joelle let out a bitterugh. “That’s not my home.”


    Adrian met her gaze, his lips curling in displeasure. “Can’t you be reasonable? I’ll take Reba to the hospital and be back in an hour. If you run away again, you know what the consequences will be.”


    His warning lingered in the air as he walked away, leaving Joelle feeling abandoned.


    “Madam, please get in the car,” the driver urged. The entire city was under the Miller family’s control. There was no escaping Adrian’s grasp.


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    When Joelle returned to her shared home with Adrian, Leah put down her work and came to greet Joelle. “Madam, I heard what happened at the Miller Mansion. It must’ve been too much for you.”


    “Leah, were you the one who told Adrian I moved out?” Leah hesitated but realized there was no point in lying.


    “Madam, even if you’re upset with Mr. Miller, you shouldn’t have left home. No ce could offer thefort you have here.” Joelle stopped and turned to face her. “Comfort? Do you really think this life isfortable?”


    “Madam, you don’t have to work, and you receive 100 million dors every year. My family could work for ten lifetimes and not earn that much.”


    Leah’s words made sense, but Joelle still couldn’t help but feel bitter. “But my husband doesn’t love me. Is that a happy life?”


    “We can’t depend on men. But think about it, isn’t it better than having a husband whoes home just to torment you? At least you can live your life in peace, right? Madam, don’t hold grudges against money. Think about your brother and your father’s medical expenses. If you left Mr. Miller, where else could you earn that money?”


    Joelle managed a mncholy smile. “But I don’t want to depend on someone to live.” It wasn’t just about losing her dignity; it was about crushing her spirit.


    Joelle could see where Leah wasing from, but she couldn’t let Adrian see her as lowly and pathetic.


    The next morning, just before the first light of dawn, Joelle left the house. Adrian had said he’d be back in an hour, but he hadn’te back all night. This was nothing new to Joelle.


    At the bus stop, her phone buzzed with a new notification. Reba had posted again. This time, it wasn’t a video but a photo. It was a close-up shot of Adrian’s eyes, with his hair falling over his forehead and thickshes framing his closed eyelids. The angle and proximity made it clear just how close Reba and Adrian had been. That exined why Adrian hadn’te homest night. He had spent it with Reba. After everything that had happened recently, Joelle had be numb to the pain.


    She took the bus to Olive Vis. When she arrived, she mustered her courage and rang the doorbell to one of the vis. The door opened just a crack, and Joelle greeted the person inside with a smile.


    “Hi, I’m Joelle Watson, the violin teacher. I’m here for the trial lesson.” The maid ushered her in and led her through the corridors to a bedroom. “Mr. Walters has quite a temper, so please be patient with him.”


    When the door opened, Joelle was greeted by a delightful scene. A boy was seated by the window, the warm sunlight illuminating his gentle smile. He was ying with a white kitten, teasing the little animal with a toy.


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