?<strong>Chapter 148:</strong>


    What Joelle saw first was Lacey. She didn’t understand why Lacey was there, nor why she was on the floor. ncing around, she spotted Lacey, Michael, Reba, and even Salome, positioned in her wheelchair. Joelle propped herself up, pressing a hand to her head and voiced her bewilderment. “What happened to me?”


    Reba was quick to respond before Joelle could sense anything amiss. “Joelle, don’t you remember? You copsed while walking. My mother and I were just about to get help when Lacey and Michael showed up.”


    “Really?” Joelle was still trying to piece together the events. “Why would I faint?”


    “Perhaps it’s been a tiring period for you, hasn’t it?” Reba forced a smile.


    It made sense. Joelle was pregnant now, and she was very nervous because of the children’s performance these days. It wasn’t surprising she might faint. Lacey, offering a hand, asked gently, “Are you alright? Do you think you should see a doctor?”


    Reba tensed, her hand involuntarily clutching her thigh. Joelle, however, merely smiled and reassured, “I think I just need some rest. I’ll head home.”


    How could she go to the hospital for a physical examination with so many people? If a doctor inadvertently disclosed her pregnancy, it would undermine her careful ns with Rafael for “her training” in another city.


    “Really?” Lacey pressed, concerned.


    “Yes, I’m fine, really,” Joelle insisted.


    “Joelle, you should still consider a hospital visit. Adrian will be here soon. He can apany you if we can’t,” Michael chimed in, his tone persuasive.


    “He’sing here?” Joelle asked, surprised.


    “Yes, you gave us quite a scare. We were hesitant to even touch you, fearing it might worsen things.”


    Joelle maintained herposure towards those showing concern. “Then let him go back. I’m really fine.”


    Reba and Salome exchanged secret sighs of relief, pleased that Joelle seemed not to dwell further on the incident, allowing them a chance to escape further questioning—and possibly to see Adrian. The situation seemed to resolve smoothly.


    Joelle descended the esctor as Adrian ascended on the opposite side. Their eyes met, and Adrian abruptly turned to rush down towards her. Unable to reverse her direction due to her pregnancy, Joelle could only watch as Adrian reached her.


    “Are you okay?” Adrian grabbed Joelle’s arm, checking her carefully.


    Joelle pulled her arm away with a slight grimace. “Adrian, I’m fine, really.”


    Ignoring her protests, Adrian grasped her wrist. “We’re going to the hospital.”


    “I told you, I’m fine!”


    Adrian’s actions bewildered her. They were divorced, yet his concern seemed persistent. Was it just guilt over their lost child? But she remained skeptical that his guilt could truly change him.


    Without their child, she doubted he had any genuine concern for her at all. Adrian’s expression grew stern. “Your health isn’t up for debate. We’re going to the hospital now.”


    “No.” Joelle stood her ground.


    Adrian’s patience thinned. Previously, he might have stormed off in response to her defiance, but concern over her recent fainting, possibly aplication from her abortion, stilled his temper.


    “Just let me make sure you’re okay. After that, I’ll take you home,” he promised, his tone softening.


    Joelle felt a pang of cynicism. If not for the baby, would his demeanor be so gentle? Men were always like this. They wouldn’t care until everything was irreversible.


    “Don’t bother, Adrian. Your sweetheart is upstairs. Go find her instead.”


    Adrian’s attempt at reconciliation fell t, leaving him to ponder. For a man ustomed only to the bitterness of ck coffee, Joelle’s rebuff added anotheryer to his scant roster of hardships.


    “Adie!” Reba’s voice echoed from the other end of the esctor.


    As Adrian turned, Joelle seized the moment to slip away, unwilling to linger in difort. Adrian and Reba were a perfect match. She didn’t want to stay and make herself ufortable.


    En route home, Joelle’s phone rang—it was Rafael.


    “I heard you fainted at the mall?” he inquired.


    “How did you know?”


    Rafael’s reply carried a hint of irony. “Believe it or not, it was Adrian who told me. He couldn’t convince you to see a doctor, so he asked me to ensure you get checked.”


    Joelle was more than surprised. She was bewildered. Adrian’s recent anger had been directed at her and Rafael both. How had he so quickly shifted to concern, even going so far as to involve Rafael in her health?


    “Thank you, Rafael. But I’m really fine. I just need some rest, that’s all.”


    “Look, I have to follow through. I can’t just ignore Adrian’s request. Plus, I’m concerned about you, too. Can you meet me at the hospital now?”


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