?<strong>Chapter 133:</strong>


    Joelle had seen enough. Adrian’s firm voice reverberated through the room, silencing everyone present. Not a soul dared to speak. Joelle stepped forward, drawing the collective gaze away from the Lloyd family.


    With aposed demeanor, Joelle said, “Adrian, I’m giving you two choices. Either you send this mother and daughter out of Illerith today, or we’re getting a divorce!”


    “No way!” Irene objected, rising to her feet.


    “Irene, this is between Adrian and me,” Joelle insisted. “We’ve been living this life, not you. Is this situation really worth your interference?”


    Irene’s expression was aplex mix of determination and resignation as she slowly sat back down.


    Amara, watching closely, tugged on Joelle’s arm. “Are you threatening Adrian? What kind of wife does that?” Joelle remainedposed. “Yes! If you don’t like me, find someone else for your son. But remember, this is between Adrian and me. It’s his decision!”


    She turned to Adrian, the man she had loved for eight years, her gaze cold. “Adrian, choose! Divorce, or send them away. It’s up to you.”


    Adrian remained silent, his gaze darkening as he looked at Joelle. She said she was leaving the choice to him, but she was still forcing his hand. He couldn’t understand why, at this crucial moment, his wife wouldn’t stand by him. Instead, she was the first to make things more difficult.


    The tension was palpable until Salome, desperate to diffuse the situation, intervened. “Adrian, please, don’t get divorced. We’ll leave. I’ll take Reba and go right now. You won’t see our faces again!”


    She grabbed Reba, who was still in shock, and suddenly, there was a loud crash. Everyone’s expression changed. Adrian called out anxiously, “Salome!”


    Salome had fallen out of her wheelchair. Her legs had long since lost their strength, but she refused Adrian’s help. “I can leave on my own. I’ll take Reba and go.”


    It was a heartbreaking sight—a physically challenged woman, dragging her gravely ill daughter, trying to crawl out of the room. Anyone who saw it would be moved. Adrian clenched his teeth, closing his eyes as he wrestled with his decision. When he opened them again, his resolve was clear. “We will get the divorce!”


    Joelle felt as though a bullet had torn through her chest, shattering her heart. She had sworn to herself that, no matter Adrian’s answer, she would remainposed. So, she forced a graceful smile. “Then I’ll step back from your family matters. We’ll meet at the courthouse tomorrow at 8 a.m.”


    Fearing that Adrian could waver, Joelle turned to Irene, her voice steady but firm. “Irene, please bear witness. From this moment on, Adrian and I are no longer husband and wife.”


    Irene couldn’t bear to lift her eyes. “Joelle…”


    Joelle turned and walked out of the Miller Mansion, her head held high. As she left the house, the once clear sky grew turbulent. She brushed a tear from her eye, stepping into the bright sunlight that seemed to mock her misery.


    Joelle made her way back to the house she had once shared with Adrian. Leah, unaware of the morning’s upheaval, greeted her. “Mrs. Miller.”


    But Joelle could barely stand as a wave of anguish washed over her. The moment she stepped inside, her legs gave out, and she copsed onto the steps. With a bitter smile, she looked up at Leah. “Don’t call me that anymore. I’m no longer Adrian’s wife.”


    Leah froze, her shock evident, but she quickly masked it with a sigh as she took in Joelle’s tear-streaked face. “I see. Thank you for taking care of Mr. Miller these past three years.” She bowed deeply to Joelle.


    “Okay.” Joelle nodded, gathering herself before standing again. “I’ll pack my things.”


    “Let me assist you,” Leah offered.


    “No need.” Joelle insisted on personally packing so she could exclusively pack every item that belonged to her. Three years of marriage reduced to this moment. The wardrobe was filled with clothes, yet none of them felt like hers.


    In three years, she had umted so little that everything she owned fit into just two suitcases. As she packed, an old photo album tumbled from the top shelf. It was one she had cherished for years.


    Before she had turned eighteen, her life had been carefree. Adrian, Rafael, and Michael had been her protectors besides her family. But falling in love with Adrian had been her greatest mistake.


    Joelle slid down the wall, clutching the album to her chest. The days captured in those photos were gone, lost to a past that could never be reimed. She didn’t sleep that night. Instead, she sat by the window as the world outside slowly shifted from night to dawn.


    After breakfast, she went straight to the courthouse. As the clock inched closer to 8 a.m., Adrian was nowhere in sight. Across the street, in a ck car, Adrian sat slumped against the seat. He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the fatigue that clung to him.


    He had spent the night finalizing matters for Salome and Reba. He was spent. He had nned to exin everything to Joelle, but time had slipped away from him. It was 8 a.m.


    The driver asked, “Sir, Mrs. Miller is already waiting. Shouldn’t you go meet her?”


    Adrian opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and cold as it flicked to the driver. The man quickly averted his eyes. “Sorry.”


    After a moment, the car door swung open, and Adrian stepped out, his long strides carrying him toward Joelle. As he approached, Joelle’s hands clenched at her sides. She prepared herself to stand tall, trying to appearposed.


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