?<strong>Chapter 33:</strong>


    The next morning, Joelle stirred awake and instinctively nced at the empty space beside her. Adrian had spent the night, or so she recalled, but now he was nowhere to be seen.


    Sitting up, sheposed herself, quickly epting the situation. This wasn’t the first time he’d slipped away. Keeping him by her side seemed an elusive dream.


    As she started to make the bed, sounds wafted from the kitchen. Curious, Joelle headed that way, only to be met with an unexpected sight: Adrian, d in her apron, attempting to cook breakfast. The apron, with its pink, flowery design, lookedically small on his broad frame.


    Joelle’s eyes widened, and she stepped forward, her voice tinged with disbelief. “What on earth are you doing?”


    Adrian nced up from the frying pan, his expression unruffled. At that moment, a familiar voice chimed in from the kitchen counter.


    “Madam, you’re awake!”


    Leah’s voice came through the video call speaker. Adrian had been consulting Leah for cooking advice. Leah’s enthusiasm was palpable, and she didn’t hold back. “Madam, Mr. Miller called me first thing this morning to find out what you like to eat so I could guide him through it! In all my years with the Miller family, I’ve never seen him step into a kitchen before!”


    Adrian, still focused on the eggs, muttered, “Leah, you’re talking too much.”


    “Alright, alright, I won’t intrude on you two lovebirds any longer! Sir, if you need any help, just ask Mrs. Miller. I’ll hang up now!” As the call ended, Adrian looked at Joelle. “Go freshen up. Breakfast will be ready soon.”


    Joelle stood rooted to the spot, her mind struggling to process the scene before her. “Adrian, what is this about?”


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    Adrian carefully ced the cooked eggs on a te and held the tray with ease. The once intimidating business magnate was now ying househusband.


    “I want to make more time for us. I’m going to take on more of the responsibilities at home. I mean, we’re married, and I need to take better care of you.”


    Joelle pinched her fingers discreetly, trying to convince herself that this wasn’t a dream. Adrian’s words were sincere, but they left her feeling uneasy. There was a time when such gestures would have brought her immense joy. But now, she had little expectation from him and wasn’t easily moved by mere words.


    “So, you’ve decided to embrace a real life with me?” she asked, her tone guarded.


    Joelle shrugged with indifference and walked to the bathroom to wash up.


    Breakfast was a quiet affair. Adrian left for work with a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Wait for me toe home tonight.”


    Joelle mechanically chewed her food, her mind distant and preupied.


    Once Adrian had left, she tidied up and stepped out. She wasn’t scheduled to teach Josiah, but she was meeting Katherine and Shawnter.


    By the time she arrived, Shawn was already there. Although they were siblings, their busy lives meant they rarely had a chance to catch up.


    Shawn greeted her with a cup of coffee. “You’ve shed some pounds.”


    Joelle hadn’t checked her weight recently, but she knew the past few months had been grueling. She could have slimmed down a bit, but she didn’t want Shawn to worry. So, she told him she was on a diet.


    “You girls put too much pressure on yourselves. By the way, how’s the divorce going?” Shawn sighed, shaking his head as he poured himself a cup.


    Joelle’s heart sank as she hesitated with her coffee cup halfway to her lips. Under Shawn’s intense gaze, she admitted, “I don’t think Adrian is about to divorce me right now.”


    She had already sent her wedding ring back to Adrian. Any sensible person would understand what that gesture meant. And despite their numerous arguments and discussions, there had been no progress on the divorce. Whenever she broached the subject, Adrian acted as if she were joking.


    Shawn’s expression hardened. “I’ll go talk to him.”


    “No!” Joelle’s protest was immediate.


    The stability of Watson Group hinged on Adrian’s support. From the beginning, Joelle had hoped for a smooth, amicable separation. Although Adrian no longer loved her, their shared history and his friendship with Shawn were important. She didn’t want to jeopardize that connection.


    She urged Shawn to stay out of it.


    Shawn’s gaze softened. “Joelle, you don’t need to worry about me. I might not have witnessed all your struggles, but I can imagine them. Even without the Miller family’s backing, Watson Group can continue. I have a n; trust me.”


    “Okay,” Joelle agreed, though she knew Shawn was trying to ease her worries.


    “I’m serious,” Shawn insisted. “I haven’t been working all these years for nothing.”


    Before Joelle could respond, Katherine burst into the room. “Sorry, sorry! I got caught up in some stupid drama on my way here. I’m notte, am I?”


    Shawn checked his watch with a smirk. “You’re right on time! I figured you’d bete, so I told you toe twenty minutes earlier.”


    “This time, it really wasn’t my fault!” Katherine, barely settled in her seat, couldn’t contain her excitement. “You won’t believe what happened! I heard Adrian’s mother went to Oak Vis and kicked Reba and Erick out. I even took a detour to see themotion—there were so many people gathered there.”


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