?<strong>Chapter 151:</strong>


    Reba didn’t expect Adrian to call her at this hour. The unexpected ring sent a jolt through her, a mix of surprise, delight, and a thread of anxiety curling in her chest. “Adie? Is there something you need to discuss?”


    “Yes.”


    Reba’s heart skipped a beat. Nervously, she asked, “What’s the matter?”


    “Are you adjusting well to living here with your mother?” His question deepened the unease already stirring within her. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.


    “Adie, are you nning to send my mother and me away? Illerith is so vast. Can’t we stay here?”


    A brief silence followed. Adrian spoke, his tone cold and detached. “You misunderstand me.”


    Reba breathed a sigh of relief. “Adie, everything is fine here for my mother and me. You don’t need to worry.”


    “Okay.”


    There was another silence, then Reba ventured, “Adrian, it’s been so long since you’ve visited me.” His response was calm, almost dismissive. “We’ll talk about itter. I’ve been a bit busytely.”


    “What’s been keeping you so busy?” Reba asked, attempting to sound yful, even coquettish. “You used to visit often when you were married to Joelle.” Silence greeted her words, a silence that quickly festered into anxiety. Had she overstepped? She worried she could have said too much and upset him.


    But then, Adrian’s voice came through the line, deep and steady. “I’ve been busy with blind dates.”


    Reba was stunned, her grip on the phone tightening as her mind raced. Words failed her, leaving her speechless. Beside her, Salome took the phone from her.


    “Adrian, blind dates? That’s wonderful news! I hope you find someone special soon.”


    “Thank you!”


    When the call ended, Salome turned to Reba and pinched her arm. “Can’t you be more sensible? Why didn’t you say anything when he mentioned the blind dates? How do you expect to be his wife in the future if you let him slip away like that?”


    Reba’s eyes welled up with tears, but she didn’t even flinch at the pain of the pinch. She murmured repeatedly, “He’s going on blind dates. He’s going to get married again…”


    “What are you so afraid of?” Salome, unfazed, rolled her wheelchair over to the television, casually grabbing a snack. “As long as you keep ying the sickly damsel and we stay in Illerith, Adrian can’t just shake us off. We’ll have everything we need! It’s not like he can simply ignore us. Not unless your brother and father rise from the grave. He’ll have to look after us for the rest of his life!”


    “But he’s going to get married again!” Reba’s voice cracked as she screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks.


    Salome nced at Reba, her voiceced with resignation. “But what can you do? Irene looks down on our family, and Adrian’s mother will never approve of you as her daughter-inw. Reba, listen to me. As long as you keep Adrian’s heart, it doesn’t matter who you are.”


    “I can marry him!” Reba insisted. “When Joelle’s family declined, she only married Adrian because of that ident!”


    “How dare you bring that up!” Salome’s anger red, her teeth grinding in frustration. “You drugged Adrian, Reba. It was the perfect opportunity, and you let it slip through your fingers, handing Joelle the advantage! If you hadn’t been so foolish, you would have been Adrian’s wife by now!”


    Reba’s nails dug into her palms, her heart seething with hatred. The memory of that fateful ident three years ago filled her with a fresh wave of anger. “Adie had to take responsibility for her because of that night. It will be the same now. As long as I push things further with him, he’ll have no choice but to be responsible for me.”


    Salome’s eyes narrowed, a sudden realization dawning on her. “Reba, what are you nning?”


    “Mom.” Reba’s eyes were cold. “I’ve waited for three years. I won’t wait any longer. I won’t let Adrian marry another woman again!”


    Joelle walked through the hospital doors, a bouquet of flowers in hand, ready to visit Irene. But as soon as she entered the room, she realized she could have picked the wrong time. Adrian was already there, and so was Amara.


    Irene, half-reclined on the bed, smiled warmly at Joelle. “Joelle, you’vee to see me.”


    “Irene, how are you feeling?”


    Irene held her hand and said, “I feel much better now that you’re here.”


    Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and to Joelle’s dismay, Reba and Salome entered. Thest two people Joelle wanted to see had appeared. Could this have been arranged by Adrian? She nced at him, but his expression was as cold and unreadable as ever.


    Lately, it seemed like Adrian was growing more distant, though perhaps it was just her imagination. Amara tossed her hair back, breaking the tense silence. “Well, now that everyone’s here, shall I begin?”


    “Begin what?” Joelle asked, puzzled.


    Irene patted Joelle’s hand with a smile. “Joelle, just watch.” Joelle’s confusion only deepened. She looked at Reba and Salome, noticing they seemed just as baffled.


    Then, Amara, with a haughty air, dered, “Since everyone is present, Irene and I will serve as witnesses. Reba, from this moment on, you are my adopted daughter.”


    Reba’s face went pale with shock. Salome gasped but quicklyposed herself, forcing a smile. “Surely this isn’t appropriate!”


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