?<strong>Chapter 41:</strong>


    Joelle’s anger simmered to the point where she let out a bitterugh. “How about I p you in front of everyone here? You wouldn’t die from it, so we could just call it even.” Erick’s smile froze. Joelle leaned in, her patience wearing thin. “Or is my request too light for you to take seriously? Should I get Adrian involved?” She pulled out her phone, her finger hovering over the screen. Erick muttered a half-hearted apology, grabbed his girlfriend’s hand, and hurried away, not ready to let the situation escte further.


    Erick’s girlfriend asked, “Who was that woman?” “A bitch!” Erick spat out as he furiously dialed Reba’s number. “Bring Adrian to Yunko Mall right now. Joelle’s here with another man!” As the confrontation ended, Joelle turned her attention back to Josiah, her concern etched on her face. Even though Josiah couldn’t hear the exchange, he must have felt the tension in the air. “Are you okay?” she asked.


    Josiah nodded. “I want to go home.” Joelle reacted in surprise. “Don’t let people like that ruin your day. There’s still the pet meet-and-greet this afternoon. I can spend the whole day with you.”


    Josiah exined, “It’s not that. I think my cat might be pregnant. I should take her to the vet.” “Are you sure it’s not because of that couple?”


    Josiah smiled. “People like them don’t bother me anymore.” Joelle exhaled, relieved. “Alright, I’ll call someone from your family to pick you up.” They canceled their afternoon ns and lingered in the coffee shop until Rafael arrived to take Josiah home.


    All three of them walked to the parking garage together. Joelle opened the car door for Josiah. Rafael offered, “Where are you heading? I can drop you off.” Joelle shook her head. “No need, I’ve got ns to meet Katherer.”


    Rafael didn’t press further. He got into the car and started the engine. Joelle watched as the car disappeared around the corner, a familiar voice breaking the silence behind her. “Joelle, was that Rafael I just saw?”


    ???ЯE ??P?ΛTΞ? IИ GΛ?И?VΞ??.???


    It was Reba, clinging to Adrian’s arm. Frustration surged through Joelle, and she turned on her heel to leave. “Stop right there!” Adrian’s voice cut through the air, cold andmanding. Joelle halted, then slowly turned back to face him. “Mr. Miller, what do you want?”


    Mr. Miller? Adrian’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Why were you with Rafael?” He had only seen her with Rafael, missing Josiah as he got into the car. Joelle scoffed, “Do you think you have the right to ask me that? What are you doing here with her?”


    Reba replied, “We came to the supermarket to pick up some ingredients. I wanted to cook for Adie to thank him for taking care of me. Joelle, if you don’t mind, you’re wee to join us and try my cooking at home.” Joelle’s hand itched to p Reba with the nearest object, preferably her shoe. “Home? Whose home? Yours?”


    Feigning innocence, Reba looked up at Adrian with wide eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry, I must’ve confused it with the house in Oak Vis.” Joelle crossed her arms. “Do you have a brain problem or something?”


    Reba faltered, clutching Adrian’s sleeve like a lifeline. “Adie, I didn’t mean it.” Adrian’s face remained impassive as he looked at Joelle. “She does have a brain illness, so you do not need to get worked up over every little thing she does.”


    Joelle scoffed. If she didn’t do anything, Reba would start treating her home with Adrian as hers. Joelle fumed at Adrian’s tant favoritism. His actions, both overt and subtle, were enabling Reba, and it was infuriating. But Joelle decided not to argue. She had shed enough tears and endured enough pain; she wasn’t going to let these two ruin her mood any further.


    “I don’t care whether she has problems or not. Just give me a straight answer—when the hell are we getting divorced?” Reba eagerly awaited Adrian’s response as well. If Joelle and Adrian divorced, she’d be the only woman by his side, and marrying into the Miller family would be more possible.


    As she daydreamed, Adrian’s cold demeanor made her uneasy. “What can Rafael give you?” Joelle frowned, confused. “What are you talking about?” A faint sneer curled Adrian’s lips. “I thought you were smart, but you’re just another fool in love!”


    Joelle’s confusion deepened. “What are you even saying?” Adrian strode over and gripped her arm tightly, making her wince. He leaned in close, his voice low and menacing. “Everyone knows you’re my wife. Who would want you after a divorce, hmm?”


    He turned and walked off, Reba following in his wake, leaving Joelle to process his words. “Adrian, who do you think you are?” Joelle shouted after him. “If we get divorced, you’ll be second-hand too!”


    Reba watched Adrian closely, trying to gauge his reaction. She hadn’t heard the answer she wanted, and anxiety gnawed at her. “Adie, don’t you want to divorce Joelle?”


    Adrian’s reply was t, devoid of emotion. “Why would I divorce her when everything is perfectly fine?”


    Reba froze, a flicker of resentment crossing her face. “Yeah, everything is perfectly fine! So why would Joelle want a divorce? Could it be she’s found someone else she likes?”


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