?<strong>Chapter 145:</strong>


    Joelle couldn’t quiteprehend how things turned out like this. Bringing Rafael back to her home felt surreal. But when Rafael mentioned wanting to taste her cooking, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse, given all the help he’d given her.


    In truth, she rarely cooked for others. Even Katherine, her closest friend, seldom tasted her culinary efforts. Those three years of marriage, however, had turned her into an exceptional cook. Rafael had never tasted anything she made before.


    The irony wasn’t lost on her as she washed the vegetables, her thoughts tangled. Rafael wandered in from the living room. “Anything I can do to help?” he asked.


    “No, Rafael. Just sit and rx. It’ll be ready before you know it.”


    Rafael’s hands were meant for a scalpel, not kitchen knives. She didn’t want him risking injury.


    “It’s alright, I’ll help wash the vegetables. I won’t just watch you do everything,” Rafael insisted, rolling up his sleeves.


    Joelle couldn’t help but sigh, recalling how Adrian never once offered to help her in the kitchen. “Rafael, your wife is going to be a lucky woman. Not many men are willing to pitch in with the chores.”


    “Are you volunteering for the position?” Rafael turned to her with a teasing smile.


    Joelle froze, caught off guard by his words. Seeing her expression, Rafael was amused. “I’m just joking.”


    Joelle felt an odd sense of relief. They soon found a rhythm, working together seamlessly in the kitchen. Just as they settled into the mood, the doorbell rang.


    Joelle quickly dried her hands and went to answer it.


    “Ms. Watson!” Leah eximed in surprise. “You’re back! I noticed the lights were on. I just picked up some groceries. What do you feel like eating today?”


    “No need, Leah. I have a guest today. I’ll be eating here.”


    “Alright then,” Leah replied, but as she turned to leave, she noticed a pair of men’s shoes by the door. They weren’t Adrian’s. And if they belonged to Shawn, Joelle would have mentioned it. Suspicion crept into Leah’s mind. Could Adrian havepetition?


    Leah left without another word, but the wheels in her head were already turning. She decided to wait until after Joelle had finished her meal with her guest before calling Adrian. She didn’t want Adrian to disturb Joelle’s meal.


    It took Joelle and Rafael an hour to finish cooking. She watched with bated breath as Rafael took his first bite. “How is it?”


    “Delicious!” Rafael was genuinely happy. He was tasting something Joelle had made for him for the first time. Over the past three years, he could have visited Adrian’s ce to sample her cooking, but he never did.


    “Joelle, there’s no chance of you and Adrian getting back together, is there?”


    Joelle’s expression darkened. “I don’t think so. Our rtionship is tooplicated. I’m just tired.”


    Rafael picked up some food for Joelle, offering her a gentle smile. “Don’t dwell on it anymore. Just eat. From now on, I’ll take care of you and the baby.”


    His words made Joelle blush. “Rafael, that sounds strange.”


    “Does it?” Rafael chuckled softly. “You’re overthinking again!”


    Joelle often felt that being with Rafael was like trying to grasp the wind. When she thought she had a firm hold on her emotions, he would make her feel as though she was imagining things.


    After dinner, Rafael helped her clear the table. It was a simple act, but it stirred something deep within her. Joelle had often dreamed of moments like this happening with Rafael.


    “Thank you for dinner,” Rafael said.


    “No need to thank me. You’ve helped me more than you know.”


    Changing his shoes as he prepared to leave, Rafael paused and asked, “By the way, during your treatment, did you have any X-rays taken of your right hand? The more detailed, the better.”


    He was going to take Joelle to the hospital for a CT scan, but now that she was pregnant, it was not safe for her to go to that highly radioactive ce.


    “Yes, I did. But why do you need them?” Joelle was a little surprised.


    “I need to understand the full extent of your treatment. The more information I have, the better,” Rafael exined, his tone serious.


    Although Joelle had long since given up hope, she nodded and retrieved a sealed case from her bedroom. It contained the many CT scans she had undergone during her treatment. Every time she had shown the results to the doctor, the prognosis had been grim.


    Over time, she had grown ustomed to disappointment. Even now, despite Rafael’s intentions, she didn’t dare to hope again.


    Handing the case to Rafael, Joelle walked him to the elevator. “Be careful on your way back.”


    “I will.”


    As the elevator doors closed, Joelle turned around, only to find herself face-to-face with Adrian, his expression dark and brooding. Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly steeled herself, walking past him with a determined stride. “You brought him into your home?”


    Adrian had returned as soon as Leah had called him, desperate to find out who the man was. His fist had been clenched, ready to strike, but he had held back. He had waited until now. If the two didn’te out, he’d smash the door. But he didn’t expect the man to be Rafael.


    Adrian grabbed Joelle’s wrist. “What did you do?” he demanded, his voice harsh.


    “Adrian, let go of me!”


    “And what if I refuse?”


    Adrian then suddenly lifted her off the ground. Joelle gasped at that.


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