?<strong>Chapter 162:</strong>


    When Joelle spoke, there wasn’t a trace of jealousy in her voice. She was telling the truth. Reba’s illness was far graver than Joelle had realized. She had learned about it from Rafael. Though Rafael wasn’t directly involved in Reba’s case, he knew that she was battling an extremely rare brain tumor called a “flulent brain tumor.” There were only three known cases of this disease globally, and none of those patients had survived more than three years after diagnosis. Now, Reba was approaching that critical third year. Joelle had no desire to sh with someone whose days were likely numbered.


    But as she finished speaking, she noticed a flicker of displeasure in Adrian’s eyes. “You don’t need topare yourself to her over something like this.”


    “Compare myself to her?” Adrian met her gaze. “Even without Reba in the picture, I’d still make it right for you.”


    Joelle was taken aback, his words catching her off guard. For a moment, the room fell into an awkward silence, the weight of Adrian’s promise lingering in the air. Joelle instinctively nced at Leah and Rafael. Had she misheard?


    “Adrian, are you drunk or something?”


    That seemed unlikely; Leah’s wine was barely alcoholic. “You know what I’m like when I’m drunk,” Adrian replied.


    Joelle couldn’t shake the feeling that his eyes held a glint of something more as he blinked at her. A shiver ran down her spine, and she hurriedly finished her meal in silence.


    After dinner, Joelle offered to see Rafael off. The Romero family’s driver was already waiting, knowing Rafael wouldn’t be driving after having a drink. As Rafael prepared to leave, Joelle reminded the driver to drive carefully and prioritize safety.


    Just before getting into the car, Rafael turned and unexpectedly hugged Joelle. He wasn’t one to drink much, usually avoiding alcohol due to his work. But tonight, he seemed more emotional.


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    “Joelle, I think Adrian has a crush on you!”


    “What nonsense are you spouting?”


    “I’m serious!” Rafael’s tone was almost intive. He couldn’t fully exin why he felt this way, but it was a feeling he couldn’t shake. Had Adrian ever shown such attentiveness to anyone else? He had grown up with Adrian and knew him better than he knew himself.


    Joelle had spent eight years harboring a secret love for Adrian, three years in marriage, and they would have a child together. The odds of winning were always slim, even though Rafael had nevercked confidence.


    “Joelle, would you change your mind if Adrian fell in love with you?”


    The question caught Joelle off guard. It wasn’t something she had ever dared to consider. “Rafael, you’re drunk. You should go home.”


    Rafael chuckled, leaning against her shoulder, eyes closed. “You don’t want to answer me, do you?”


    “No need. I’ll make sure I win you over before that happens,” Rafael dered.


    Joelle’s heart softened. “What’s with that confidence?”


    “Being confident is attractive, right? I have to be the one you choose, Joelle.”


    “Alright!” Joelle and the driver then guided Rafael into the car.


    As the car disappeared down the street, Joelle exhaled a sigh of relief. When she turned back, she froze. Adrian stood there, watching. How long had he been there? He was dressed casually in a housecoat over a white t-shirt and gray trousers—thrown on in haste, too thin for the winter night. Obviously, he had decided to go out just now.


    Joelle approached him, considering ignoring him, but that wasn’t the answer. “Mr. Miller, the electricity’s out in my ce. It’s inconvenient without it. If I slip in the dark, who’s going to be responsible?”


    Adrian slipped his hand from his pocket, brushing the spot on her shoulder where Rafael had leaned his head. “It’s dirty.”


    The words stung more than Joelle wanted to admit, but the sharpness of “dirty” ignited her anger. “What right do you have to call me dirty? Adrian, who the hell do you think you are? You were cheating while we were married and clinging to your ex when we divorced. Seeing you makes me sick!”


    “And Rafael’s different? Huh? How much do you really know about him? He’s supposed to be my friend, but he’s after my ex-wife. Is that the kind of person you trust?”


    Joelle’s eyes narrowed. “At least he respects me—unlike you, with your arrogance and your games!”


    “You’re falling for Rafael already?”


    Anger red within Joelle, pushing her to blurt out, “It’s not impossible!”


    “Not impossible?” Adrian grabbed her wrist. “If it’s not impossible, then why did you end up in my bed? Joelle, when did you start ying hard-to-get?”


    “I never did! Watch what you say!”


    Adrian’s voice turned cold. “Deny it all you want. Do you think Rafael will still want you when he finds out what happened?”


    Joelle felt a sharp pain in her abdomen as her anger boiled over, rendering her speechless. Her chest rose and fell with eachbored breath. Then, without warning, she lurched to the side and vomited into a trash can.


    Adrian’s brow furrowed as he watched her. “Are you pregnant?”


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