?<strong>Chapter 132:</strong>


    The once heartwarming family reunion dissolved in an instant. Without warning, Salome’s hand whipped through the air, smacking Reba so fiercely that she tumbled to the floor.


    “Mom? What are you doing?”


    Reba’s voice quivered with disbelief as she looked up from the floor. Salome’s hand, still trembling with anger, pointed usingly at Reba. “What on earth did you and your brother do? I didn’t send you here to cause trouble for Adrian! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Tears began to stream down Reba’s face. “Mom, please, I didn’t know what Erick was nning! I swear, I had no part in it!”


    “Your apologies mean nothing to me! I’m not the one you should be begging for forgiveness.”


    Reba quickly looked around the room, her eyesnding on Joelle. She scrambled to her knees, clutching Joelle’s clothes as sobs shook her entire body. “Joelle, please, I’m so sorry. I’ll never let something like this happen again. I’ll do anything to make up for what Erick did. Just, please, I beg you, spare him. Please!”


    Before Joelle could respond, Katie sighed. “Joelle, Reba truly seems remorseful!”


    L nodded in agreement. “To err is human, Joelle. Since she’s repenting, maybe it’s time to forgive her.”


    Could they really expect her to swallow this injustice? Reba seemed to think her kneeling would suffice as atonement. But what about her child? “I will never forgive you, Reba. Never!”


    Joelle’s voice was cold as she pushed Reba away. Though the shove wasn’t forceful, Reba still copsed back onto the floor. “Reba!”


    Adrian stepped forward, concern etched on his face, but a piercing look from Irene and Amara rooted him to the spot. He clenched his fists, his eyes burning as he turned his gaze on Joelle. “Erick was the one who hurt you, Joelle. Don’t take it out on Reba.”


    Joelle let out a bitterugh. She was Adrian’s rightful wife, and yet he was already rushing to defend Reba. “No, Adrian!” Salome intervened, stepping between them. “It’s natural for your wife to be angry. Let her vent. It’s us who owe you both an apology.”


    Reba remained on the floor, her sobs intensifying. “Adie, I’m truly sorry. I apologize for Erick. Joelle, I’ll do whatever you ask. I’ll disappear from Adrian’s life forever if that’s what you want.” All eyes turned to Joelle. The decision rested in her hands.


    Joelle remained silent, her gaze averted from Reba. Irene understood immediately—Joelle had made her choice. “What’s done is done. Not even your death can bring back my great-grandson.” She waved her hand dismissively before turning to Salome. “Salome, take your daughter and leave. Neither of you is to set foot in Illerith again.”


    Reba’s eyes widened in panic. With tears streaming down her face, Salome nodded repeatedly. Reba broke down. “Mom, are you sentencing me to death? What about my illness? Only in Illerith can I get the treatment I need. I don’t want to go back to that small, barren town. If I leave, I’ll die!”


    Tears streamed down Salome’s face as she gripped her daughter’s arm tightly. “Reba, you have to face the consequences of your actions. If death is the price, maybe it’ll be a release. At least you’ll be with your father and brother again.”


    Adrian could no longer stay silent. “Grandma, Reba and Salome have nowhere else to go.”


    Irene mmed her hand on the table, silencing the room. “Shut up! Do you even know your ce?”


    “Adie!” Reba’s desperation spilled over as she crawled to him, clutching his pant leg. “Save me! You promised me! You said you wouldn’t let me die, that you’d take care of me for the rest of my life!”


    Adrian nced at Joelle. “Is this what you wanted, Joelle? Will you only be satisfied when she’s dead?”


    Irene struggled to her feet and pped Adrian across the face in front of everyone. The room fell into a stunned silence as Irene, panting from exertion, red at him. “For Reba’s sake, you dare speak to your wife like this? Think carefully—would you and Joelle be in this mess if it weren’t for Reba?”


    Adrian clenched his jaw, the sting of Irene’s p still fresh on his cheek. His voice, calm yetced with rage, cut through the tension. “If you hadn’t forced Joelle and me to marry, Reba and I wouldn’t be in this mess! Who’s to me here, Grandma? I told you long ago that Joelle was like a sister to me, but you insisted on this marriage. Did you ever think about how I felt?”


    “You…” Irene nearly copsed.


    Quincy interjected, his voice sharp. “Adrian, is that any way to speak to your grandmother?”


    Amara shot back instantly, “Since when do you have a say, Quincy?”


    L wasn’t about to let it slide. “Amara, are you saying Quincy can’t even correct Adrian’s behavior now?”


    “Please, stop this!” Salome pleaded as she clung to Reba. “If you can’t tolerate us, we’ll leave.”


    Adrian held Salome’s arm with a firm grip, his voice unwavering. “Salome, trust me, I will support you.”


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