?<strong>Chapter 131:</strong>


    “What?” Adrian and Irene eximed simultaneously, their surprise mirroring each other’s. Joelle, unfamiliar with the name Salome, surmised she must be someone of significance. Irene’s insistence on meeting her despite her frail condition was telling. Curious, Joelle followed into the reception room where a frail, elderly woman sat in a wheelchair, her eyes reflecting a hint of fear.


    Amara, too, had caught wind of the visitor and descended the stairs, her eyes scanning the gathering. L and Katie, also alerted, found a pretext to join the others. As soon as Irene seated herself, a dark figure darted past her. Adrian approached briskly. “Salome? What brings you here?”


    Trembling, Salome clutched Adrian’s wrist, her voice breaking as she sobbed, “Adrian! Where are Reba and Erick? I can’t find them anywhere!”


    “Calm down,” Adrian urged, his tone gentle.


    It was then that Joelle realized Salome was Reba and Erick’s mother, who had lived back in their hometown. Observing Adrian’s respectful and patient demeanor with Salome contrasted sharply with his previous impatience towards her own request to visit her father, who was in a vegetative state. This realization struck Joelle sharply—Adrian’s respect was reserved exclusively for the Lloyd family.


    “Where are they? Has something happened to them?” Salome, a simple and earnest old woman, nced around anxiously before her eyes settled on Adrian, seeing him as her beacon of hope.


    Noticing Adrian was encumbered by Salome, Amara scoffed, “Really? You have some nerve. Reba has been nothing but a burden to Adrian, and Erick implicated someone else in an attempt to assault Adrian’s wife, which led to her losing her baby. What do we possibly owe your family? You’re all leeches!”


    “What?” Salome gasped, her face draining of color. “Adrian! Is that true?”


    “Salome, let’s find you a ce to rest,” Adrian said, his lips pressed into a thin line. He did not refute the usations, implying Amara’s harsh words held truth.


    Tears began to flow down Salome’s cheeks as she approached Amara in her wheelchair. “I am deeply sorry for what Reba and Erick have done. I truly am! I had no idea.”


    Amara recoiled from Salome’s outstretched hands, clearly repulsed. “You’re apologizing to me? Why don’t you ask Joelle if she forgives you? Or Irene?”


    Joelle, standing by Amara, watched as Salome turned toward her. “You must be Joelle! I deeply apologize on behalf of Reba and Erick! I am ready to make amends for their wrongs. I don’t have many years left, but I am willing to serve you, to do anything you ask of me!” Salome broke down sobbing. Her tears flowed freely as she repeatedly apologized, leaving Joelle feeling conflicted.


    She disliked the Lloyd family, yet Salome herself hadmitted no wrong. She gently took Salome’s arm. “Salome, right? The actions of Erick and Reba are not your fault. I won’t punish the innocent. However, I will hold ountable those who have wronged me.”


    Salome, momentarily taken aback, quickly turned to Irene, pleading, “I’m sorry!”


    Irene, visibly annoyed, refused even a touch from Salome. “Your apologies change nothing. I’ve lost my great-grandchild forever.”


    “Please…” Salome implored. Ignoring her, Irene dered sharply, “You’ve arrived just in time. Take Reba and leave. I don’t want to see either of you again. Don’te back!”


    Defeated, Salome’s hands fell to her sides as she wept. “I came to Millerith to be with Reba and Erick.” Everyone looked at her. “My rtives back home took everything from me. Now, I have nowhere else to go.”


    Understanding dawned on Irene. “So, you expect Adrian to support you? Your family’s audacity knows no bounds!”


    “That’s not true!” Salome protested immediately. “I can work—I do handicrafts. I can support my children. We won’t be a burden to Adrian.”


    Adrian approached, crouching before Salome to offer support. “Salome, you’re in poor health, and with Reba and Erick as your only family, it’s my duty to ensure you’re looked after.”


    “Adrian,” Salome said, tears streaming down her face. “You are a good, generous man, but we can manage on our own. We don’t want charity. Where is Reba? I’vee to take her home.”


    L winked at Katie, who offered, “I know where she is. I’ll go fetch her.”


    Momentster, Reba was led in. “Mom!” she eximed, rushing to embrace Salome.


    “Reba!” Salome returned her embrace, both sobbing. Witnessing their reunion, Joelle felt increasingly detached. She used to think Reba was a poor girl, but she didn’t think so anymore. At least Reba had her mother. But she was all alone.


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