?<strong>Chapter 125:</strong>


    Rafael sent Joelle home.


    Before they parted, Rafael advised, “You’ve had some pretty intense mood swings today. If you start to feel worse, go to the hospital right away. You know we need to be extra careful about the baby.”


    Joelle replied, “Okay. I’m sorry for all the trouble today, Rafael.”


    Rafael hesitated, then asked the question that had been gnawing at him. “Did you use me to lure Adrian there? You knew he’d show up at the pool room, didn’t you?”


    Joelle didn’t deny it. With the situation already spiraling out of control, there was no point in pretending otherwise.


    “Yes. I’m sorry, Rafael.”


    Rafael pulled her into an embrace. “I don’t me you. I never will. But after everything that’s happened, you may have no choice but to divorce Adrian.”


    “If that’s what ites to, so be it.” Joelle closed her eyes and swallowed the bitterness. She had spent eight years loving Adrian, but now, she resolved to let go of the past. “I don’t care anymore. There’s someone else I need to protect now. Rafael, promise me that no one will know about the baby. It’s mine alone.”


    “I promise, Joelle. I’ll protect you and the baby. Always.”


    That night, Adrian didn’te home.


    g?lnσν????s is where magic happens


    Days passed without any sign of him.


    It didn’t bother Joelle at all. Leah noticed something amiss and asked, “Mrs. Miller, Mr. Miller hasn’t been home for several days. Is there too much work at thepany?”


    Wiping her violin, Joelle replied, “If you’re looking for him, try the hospital. He’s probably in Reba’s ward!”


    Leah gasped, a sense of dread creeping in.


    Something was definitely wrong.


    She hurried back to the Miller Mansion, her heart pounding. Fearing that Irene could faint from shock, Leah confided in Amara instead.


    “Adrian hasn’t been home for days. And it looks like Joelle doesn’t give a hoot. Think they’ve had a blow-up?” Amara set down her ss with a sigh. “How troublesome! What’s he waiting for? He should’ve gotten Joelle pregnant by now! Does he want to give L and her family another reason to attack us?” Lillian stood nearby, barely daring to breathe.


    Amara mmed her hand on the table, her frustration boiling over. “That’s it! I’m going to see for myself.” Leah followed Amara to the gate, where they found Quincy’s car parked. Quincy, Katie, and L were there. Since Irene was absent, the two groups didn’t even bother pretending.


    “Amara, where are you heading?” Quincy asked, his gaze briefly flicking to Leah. “Hello, Leah. You’re back! Is something wrong with Adrian and Joelle?”


    “It’s none of your concern!” Amara replied coldly. “You’d better worry about Spencer.”


    As she turned to leave, she heard Katie’s voice rise behind her.


    “Dad, Mom, did you hear? Adrian made Joelle get an abortion! It was their baby! But Erick and Reba tricked him into thinking he wasn’t the father, so he forced Joelle to get rid of it!”


    L pretended not to see Amara stop. “Is that so? Then be careful when you tell Irene, or she’ll flip out.” Katie snorted. “Don’t worry. I know what to say.”


    “What was that?” Amara turned around, striding over to Katie and gripping her arm with a force that seemed ready to snap it. “What nonsense are you spewing?”


    L quickly stepped between them. “Amara, if you want the truth, go ask Adrian or Joelle! Don’t take it out on Katie.”


    “Bah!” Amara shook them both off, her eyes zing. “Spread lies again, and I’ll make you regret it! Joelle lost her baby because of Spencer!”


    Quincy forced a smile. “Amara, be reasonable. Spencer’s screwed up plenty, but you can’t me him for everything.”


    After the group left, Leah anxiously tugged on Amara’s arm. “Could it be true? Was what they said real?”


    “How should I know? You stay with them every day!” Amara snapped.


    “I thought the baby was lost because of Spencer! Besides, Adrian and Joelle seem fine these days.”


    “Enough!” Amara rubbed her temples, a headache brewing. “Take me to Joelle. I need to hear it from her.”


    When they arrived, Joelle was adjusting her violin.


    The sight only fueled Amara’s anger. “Where’s Adrian? Why aren’t you with him? And you are in the mood to y that damn violin?”


    Joelle met Amara’s fury with quietposure.


    “Amara, please, have a seat. I’ll get you some water.”


    “I don’t want water!” Amara grabbed Joelle’s hand. “Tell me how you lost the baby!”


    Joelle winced but spoke evenly. “Others might not know, but you do! The baby was lost because Adrian ordered it!”


    “That’s ridiculous!” Amara hissed, her voice lowering. “If Irene hears that, she’ll turn against Adrian! And you know what? He finally took Spencer down. Do you want to ruin everything?”


    Joelle’s eyes turned cold. “But my baby is gone! Who else can I me? Who else can I seek revenge on but Adrian?”


    .


    .


    .