?<strong>Chapter 135:</strong>


    Joelle’s mind wandered back to a terrifying incident four years ago. She had been cornered by several burly men. “Call your Adrian now and tell him to get here, or this hand you cherish for ying the violin will be useless!”


    “NO! Please!”


    That fear still haunted her, jolting her awake from the memory.


    “It’s irrelevant now,” she murmured. “Rafael, I’ve made peace with what happened.” Her voice carried a weary eptance of the trials she’d faced since falling for Adrian.


    Rafael ventured carefully, “Is this linked to Adrian?” Caught off guard by his insight, Joelle managed a bitter smile. “He’s unaware. It was merely my own oversight.” Understanding that Joelle preferred to keep the details private, Rafael didn’t push further.


    “Perhaps you should visit the hospital again for another check-up. Don’t dismiss any chance for improvement.”


    “Alright,” Joelle agreed.


    They said their goodbyes at the subway station.


    Returning home, Joelle noted Katherine’s absence. Having lived with her, Joelle now fully appreciated the demands of Katherine’s job—working tirelessly from dawn untilte, asionally hosting clients well into the night.


    Suddenly, she found herself less troubled by the nights Adrian didn’t return home. Perhaps Adrian had been genuinely upied with significant affairs. Nheless, she no longer felt tied to those concerns. She inhaled deeply, rolling up her sleeves, ready to make her own dinner.


    Around one in the morning, a mor stirred from downstairs. Peering out the window, Joelle noticed Katherine’s car parked at the entrance. It seemed she had finally returned.


    However, descending the stairs, Joelle was surprised not by Katherine but by Shawn standing in the foyer. “What are you doing here, Shawn?”


    “What are you doing here, Joelle?”


    Their voices ovepped, creating a moment of awkward synchrony. Meanwhile, Katheriney sprawled on the couch, fast asleep,pletely oblivious to their exchange.


    A pang of guilt washed over Joelle. She had yet to inform Shawn about her recent divorce. Given the financial entanglements between Miller Group and Watson Group, she worried about how he would take the news.


    But Shawn didn’t linger on Joelle’s presence. He gently removed Katherine’s shoes, then lifted her slightly. “Which room is hers?”


    Joelle hesitated, thrown off by his actions. “Shawn, what are you doing?”


    “Taking her to her bedroom. Do you think you can carry her? Or should we just let her sleep here on the couch all night?” Shawn replied straightforwardly, though Joelle sensed an unusual concern in his demeanor.


    Historically, the three of them had maintained a close friendship, but Joelle wondered since when Shawn had shown such attentive care specifically for Katherine. “Upstairs,” Joelle finally responded, leading Shawn to Katherine’s bedroom.


    After settling her in, Shawn mopped his brow. “You should remind Katherine not to overindulge in drinking. It’s not good for her health at this time. She ought to be more careful.”


    Joelle, sensing the gravity behind his words, probed further, “Shawn, why can’t she drink?”


    The day Joelle got her divorce papers, Katherine had downed a bottle of spirits.


    Aware that Katherine had chosen not to share her pregnancy with Joelle, he deflected, “It’s just not good for her, that’s all.”


    “Okay.” Joelle decided to shift the conversation. “How did you happen toe across each other tonight?”


    “We were both at the same restaurant for business meetings.”


    “That seems odd.” Joelle’s curiosity piqued as she eyed him. “Katherine’s meeting was a sudden arrangement today. She had the restaurant booked out entirely for her client. How did you end up there?”


    Caught off guard without a rehearsed answer, Shawn found himself in a tight spot. He had been keeping tabs on Katherine due to concerns about her well-being and had nned his visit to coincide with hers, hoping to be of help if needed. His presence there wasn’t by chance. He had been there to watch over her, which became crucial when she drank too much.


    As Shawn fumbled for an exnation, Joelle cut to the chase. “Shawn, are you in love with Katherine?”


    “That’s not possible!” Shawn’s response was immediate and firm. “Katherine is like a sister to me, nothing more.”


    “Absolutely,” Shawn insisted.


    Joelle watched him intently, a nagging doubt lingering in her mind. Was it possible that her best friend and her brother had something going on behind her back?


    Shawn ced a reassuring hand on her forehead. “Stop worrying, I need to head out now.”


    “Drive safely.”


    “I will. Oh, and next week, let’s go see Dad together,” Shawn suggested as he headed for the stairs.


    “Sure.”


    “And bring Adrian along,” Shawn added.


    Joelle’s response froze on her lips. “Shawn, actually—”


    “I’m off now,” Shawn called over his shoulder, not catching her hesitation. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Joelle to sigh in the quiet of the hallway.


    The following morning, Katherine groaned under the weight of a severe hangover. Joelle, ever the considerate friend, brought her a ss of juice to ease her difort and perched on the edge of the bed. “Have you and Shawn been hanging out a lottely?”


    Katherine, brushing back her hair, didn’t see the significance. “Yeah. Why?”


    Joelle, fueled by her suspicions from the previous evening, leaned forward, her expression earnest. “I think Shawn might have feelings for you.”


    “What?” Katherine choked on her juice, caught off guard by Joelle’s blunt assessment.


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