?<strong>Chapter 73:</strong>


    “What?” Adrian responded distractedly, holding the showerhead and rinsing the mud from Joelle’s body. He noticed bruises on her thighs—persistent, not fading under the spray. Upon closer inspection, he realized they were contusions, evidence of a fierce struggle. He shook his head, trying to clear the intrusive thoughts. He knew Joelle was not to me for this.


    A knock echoed through the bathroom. Adrian answered the door to find Reba. “Adie, how is Joelle doing?”


    “It’s none of your business,” Adrian muttered, his tone subdued. “You can’t stay here any longer. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for you to go back to the hospital. It’ll be easier for you there.”


    Reba’s voice was soft, almost quivering, as she replied, “I know you’re just trying to protect me. I’m sorry for the trouble, Adie.”


    “It’s nothing.” Adrian dismissed the apology, but the sound of Reba’s voice stirred Joelle’s anger. After what had just happened, Joelle’s resentment towards Reba deepened. Why was she subjected to such hardships while Reba received Adrian’s unwavering protection?


    When Adrian re-entered the bathroom, Joelle, fueled by her burgeoning fury, yanked him by his shirt and pulled him into the bathtub with her.


    “Adrian, you’re no cleaner than me,” she hissed. Adrian’s eyes widened as Joelle’s lips met his, her kiss eager thoughcking finesse. Her touch was fervent. Though Adrian neither resisted nor reciprocated initially, he found himself responding when he noticed her tears. Pulling her close, he took control, soothing her with his presence.


    Joelle settled onto hisp, the contours of his muscr build entuated by his damp shirt. What began as animosity soon morphed into something more intense. As Adrian firmly gripped her waist, the bathtub water roiled around them, sloshing over the edges.


    Joelle, emboldened by emotion, disregarded Adrian’s attempts to moderate their intensity.


    Reba knocked on the door again, but Joelle clung to Adrian, refusing to let him go. She raised her voice, making sure Reba could hear, and Reba finally backed off.


    When Adrian finally stepped out, he tenderly kissed Joelle’s forehead. “You should get some sleep.” Silence was Joelle’s only reply. She knew Adrian would seek Reba next.


    Adrian had two women under the same roof—did he think he was a king?


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    On the other side of the door, Reba, flushed and heart-thumping from jealousy, struggled with the revtions. Having always considered Adrian hers, the intimacy she’d overheard was a bitter pill. In a fury, she retreated to her room to call Erick.


    “What the hell were you doing? Didn’t you say Adrian saw the whole thing? So why would he still want to be intimate with Joelle?”


    Erick had been nearby when Joelle had been kidnapped. He was the one who had hired the couple, even telling that guy that Joelle was a slut. The guy had gotten the cue and started nning how to assault Joelle.


    Erick’s n had involved taking some photos, but he hadn’t anticipated Adrian’s personal involvement. “Calm down. No man can tolerate such a thing. Just thinking of his partner with someone else is revolting. Adrian would never stay with her after that.”


    Reba perched on the edge of the bed, her voice tinged with doubt. “Maybe Adie isn’t like other men.”


    “Impossible. All men have their pride! No one could endure such humiliation.” Erick’s conviction was absolute.


    Reba opened her mouth to counter, but the loud music from Erick’s end drowned her out. He was out enjoying a raucous night, forgetting the somber topic.


    Later, a knock at her door pulled Reba from her thoughts. She coughed, adjusting her nightgown to bare one shoulder before opening the door. “Adie, it’s sote. What brings you here?”


    Adrian caught a glimpse of her exposed shoulder and averted his eyes. “I’m just here to remind you about your regr check-ups.”


    Tears pooled in Reba’s eyes. “Adie, I don’t feel like living anymore.”


    With no response from Adrian, she impulsively threw herself into his arms. “Adie, I’m frightened. If I die, will you remember me? My father? My brother?”


    Adrian steadied her by the shoulders, his tone emotionless. “Reba, let go.”


    But Reba clung tighter, burying her face in his arms. “Adie, do you think I might actually die?”


    “No, you won’t.” His voice was firm as he gently pushed her back, trying to maintain some distance, but her arms remained locked around his waist.


    Just then, a loud crash sounded behind them. Joelle, who hade downstairs for water, dropped her ss upon seeing the scene, startling everyone. Before anyone could react, Reba’s knees buckled, and she fainted into Adrian’s arms.


    “Reba!” Adrian eximed, quickly lifting her and carrying her back into her room. The door swung shut behind them.


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