?<strong>Chapter 153:</strong>


    Relieved at her thought, Irene sped Joelle’s hand reassuringly. At this, Amara couldn’t hold back any longer. “Irene, let Adrian and Joelle handle their own affairs. Times have changed. You can’t force them to stay together.”


    Joelle was taken aback. Her once obstinate mother-inw was now speaking such progressive, considerate words. Irene scoffed, dismissive of Amara’s plea. “What’s the harm in guiding them? An elder’s advice is often wise. Without our nudging, Adrian wouldn’t have ended up with a wonderful wife like Joelle. Would you rather he had married Reba?”


    Amara responded firmly, “My son will never marry Reba! She might as well forget about it!”


    A tense silence followed. Irene and Joelle exchanged a helpless nce. “Come outside with me,” Amara said, leading Joelle away. Joelle maintained a deep respect for Amara, though thetter was no longer her mother-inw.


    They walked to a secluded spot before Amara turned to face Joelle squarely. “I hope you will stop clinging to my son.”


    Joelle was taken aback yet somewhat anticipated this. Just now, she felt that Amara had changed. Now, the familiar feeling came back. “Amara, I don’t understand what I’ve done to appear as if I’m still pestering Adrian. But I assure you, from this moment, I consider him as good as gone from my life.”


    Amara’s anger red. “Don’t y games with me. If you weren’t still involved, why would Adrian move to Hignds Bay? Why did he insist on me adopting Reba, if not to keep you at ease?”


    Joelle was genuinely stunned. It was Adrian’s idea to make Reba Amara’s adopted daughter? “Are you saying Adrian wanted you to adopt Reba?”


    Amara’s gaze hardened as she addressed Joelle. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you know your own health issues. We can’t have someone who is infertile marry into our Miller family.”


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    “Mom.” Adrian’s voice was icy as he appeared behind Joelle, his expression stern. He ced a hand on her shoulder, offering a semnce of support. “Why would you say that?”


    “Son, I’ll find you someone more suitable,” Amara responded without flinching.


    “No need,” Adrian cut her off, his grip on Joelle’s shoulder tightening. “Joelle is the only one for me. Divorce or not, I’m not giving up.”


    Their eyes met—Joelle’s filled with confusion, while Adrian’s reflected aplexity of emotions she interpreted as guilt. Perhaps because she could no longer bear children, he felt responsible for her supposed unhappiness. Thinking from his perspective, Joelle could somewhat understand his sentiment, but it saddened her deeply. She had his loyalty, but at the expense of her fertility. Was their marriage, then, just an obligation fueled by guilt?


    Shaking her head, Joelle stepped away from Adrian. “This is your family matter. I should go.”


    “Joelle.” Adrian hastened after her. “I’ll drive you home.”


    “No, thanks. You should stay with your grandmother, right? Besides, Reba needs you.”


    “I’ll drive you home,” Adrian insisted again.


    Looking at the unhappy Amara, Joelle felt powerless. She couldn’t persuade either of them. Despite the divorce, it was a rare moment of calm between her and Adrian.


    “Thank you for visiting Grandma,” Adrian said softly.


    “It was my pleasure. She was always kind to me.” Adrian remained silent, possibly perceiving Joelle’s words as an indirect criticism of how he had treated her during their marriage.


    Joelle settled into the passenger seat of Adrian’s car, her demeanor entirely changed from before. She felt a sense of ease. She no longer needed to meticulously pick topics to keep her husband appeased.


    “Don’t take my mother’s words to heart,” Adrian finally said.


    “It’s fine. She didn’t say anything incorrect,” Joelle replied, gazing out the window, feeling a twisted satisfaction in having the upper hand this time.


    “Joelle, let’s go to the hospital. There must be a solution,” Adrian suggested, his voice tinged with guilt.


    “Adrian.” Joelle turned to look at him squarely. “We’re divorced. Let’s not make this harder than it needs to be.”


    Adrian furrowed his brows. “I’m just concerned about your health. Why is that a problem?”


    “Who are you?” Joelle asked with a yful yet pointed smile.


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