?<strong>Chapter 142:</strong>


    “Tell Adrian that just the sight of him makes me nauseous. I can’t eat a single bite under the same roof as him!”


    With a loud bang, the door mmed shut behind Joelle. She wasn’t exaggerating. Lately, her morning sickness had be unbearable.


    As soon as the door closed, Joelle bolted to the bathroom, clutching the toilet as she heaved up the light lunch she’d managed earlier.


    Meanwhile, Leah returned to Adrian, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Adrian had overheard every word Joelle had said, and fury surged within him. But then, Amara’s cruel im that Joelle could never conceive echoed in his mind, and the anger dissipated almost as quickly as it hade.


    “Sir, Joelle is probably just exhausted from work. Why don’t you eat something? You haven’t had a proper meal in days. If you keep this up, your body will give out,” Leah urged.


    “I still have files to review. You go ahead and eat,” Adrian replied, his voice hollow as he retreated to his bedroom. The move from his big house to this small apartment had been a significant downgrade. The bedroom was so cramped it could barely amodate a bed and a desk. But now, Adrian was beginning to understand why Joelle had chosen this tiny nest over their vast home. At least here, she could find a sense of refuge.


    That night, Leah reheated the food several times, but whenever she went to call Adrian, the thick stench of cigarette smoke met her nose. Adrian sat by the window, chain-smoking through nearly an entire pack, saying nothing, eating nothing, just smoking in silence. All night.


    The next morning, Joelle and Adrian left their apartments simultaneously. The moment Joelle saw him, her stomach clenched. She realized they’d have to share the elevator, and her face darkened. Pretending she’d forgotten something, she spun around and hurried back into her apartment. Adrian seemed like he wanted to say something, but Joelle didn’t give him the chance.


    That afternoon, when Joelle returned from work, she was anxious about possibly running into Adrian again. But when the elevator doors slid open, she exhaled a sigh of relief. Adrian wasn’t there. But she was just about to enter her apartment when the door behind her opened.


    “Ms. Watson!” Leah called out, her tone bright. “Mr. Miller won’t be home tonight. Would you like to join me for dinner? I can make all your favorite dishes!” Leah’s smile was warm, but she sighed inwardly. Adrian had intentionally dyed his return home so that Joelle could eat the food Leah made. He had given Leah clear instructions: make sure Joelle ate the food before she left.


    Joelle forced a smile. “No need, really. I can just whip up something quick for myself.”


    “Oh,e now, Ms. Watson.” Leah reached out, pulling her closer. “Won’t you keep an old womanpany? I spend my days cooped up here, shopping for groceries and cleaning. Since you moved out, it’s been so quiet. I miss having someone to talk to.”


    Leah’s genuine plea tugged at Joelle’s heart. Joelle hesitated for a moment before asking, “What will you be making tonight?”


    Leah listed off the evening’s menu with enthusiasm. Joelle mentally ticked off each dish. “Alright, I’ll just go change first.”


    “Wonderful!”


    Back in her apartment, Joelle pulled out her phone and checked if the dishes Leah mentioned were safe for pregnant women. Satisfied with what she found, she quickly changed her clothes and headed back to Adrian’s ce.


    Adrian’s apartment, just across the hall from hers, mirrored her own inyout but stood in stark contrast with its decor. Monochromatic tones of ck, white, and gray dominated the space, giving it a cold, lifeless feel. Joelle took a quick nce around before settling at the small dining table near the kitchen door.


    Leah approached with a steaming bowl of soup, her smile warm and weing. “I’ve been simmering this since noon. Give it a taste.”


    Truth be told, Joelle had missed Leah’s cooking. Though Joelle was apetent cook herself, Leah’s culinary skills had earned Adrian’s admiration. As Joelle took a sip of the soup, a soothing warmth spread through her, melting away the fatigue of the day.


    “Leah,” Joelle began, setting down her spoon. “Did Adrian ever mention why he moved in across from me?”


    Leah paused, her hands still for just a moment. Adrian hadn’t exined much when he’d brought her over from the Miller Mansion, only that she was to take good care of Joelle’s health. Having served the Miller family for decades and earned a certification as a nutritionist, Leah was adept at reading between the lines. She knew about Joelle’s abortion and could piece together the likely reasons for Adrian’s actions. Although a woman’s worth was not tied to her ability to bear children, Leah knew the pain of infertility lingered like a shadow.


    Quickly regaining herposure, Leah responded with practiced ease, “I have no idea. I’m just grateful I get to keep youpany again.”


    Joelle searched Leah’s eyes for answers, but Leah’s expression was carefully guarded, revealing nothing. With a quiet hum, Joelle decided to set her questions aside, allowing herself to rx for the first time that day.


    After dinner, she returned to her apartment. Around eleven o’clock, she heard Adrian’s footsteps echoing in the hallway as he returned home. Joelle couldn’t help but wonder—had he been workingte, or was he with Reba?


    A wry smile tugged at her lips. Why did she even care? She and Adrian were divorced. There was no reason to torment herself with thoughts of him. This apartment was nothing like the homes Adrian had lived in before. Whatever his reasons for moving here, Joelle was certain he wouldn’t stay long. Eventually, he would grow tired of this ce and leave.


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