?<strong>Chapter 163:</strong>


    When Joelle heard Adrian’s words, her heart lurched violently. After she emptied her stomach, her pallor betrayed her lingering difort.


    “How dare you ask such a question? Who made me infertile?”


    Adrian froze, his breath caught in his throat. The fleeting hope that had dared to surface within him was crushed instantly, reced by a suffocating guilt. The mere thought that Joelle could no longer have children weighed heavily on his conscience. If the baby hadn’t been aborted, it would have been born next year. If it were a girl, she’d look just like Joelle, and if a boy, he’d be so adorable.


    Lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed when Joelle left. Joelle returned home, and soon after, the lights flickered back on. As Rafael had suspected, Adrian had orchestrated the power outage.


    The next day, she slept in until ten o’clock. Upon waking, she saw that Shawn had already transferred her living expenses for the uing month. After preparing a simple brunch, Joelle set the record yer spinning with ssical music, filling the room with soothing melodies.


    The sun streamed in through the windows, painting the day with warmth. She couldn’t help but reflect on her past choices. Why was she so foolish back then? Why would she insist on bing a full-time housewife for Adrian? Even if she chose to be a housewife, she should have at least embraced a life offort and joy, not one where she just waited around for him toe home, day after day.


    Her thoughts were interrupted by a call from Katherine, who was enjoying a day off. They chatted about Joelle’s health before Katherine shifted the conversation to her online romance with Frankie. It was as if Katherine was hosting her own variety show, keeping Joelle entertained in the absence of actual TV shows.


    “Oh, by the way, Shawn invited Bobby and me to dinner tonight.”


    Joelle raised an eyebrow, knowing Shawn’s patience with Katherine’s public rtionship with Bobby was likely wearing thin. “Shawn’s probably hoping to convince you to break up with Bobby. Bobby doesn’t exactly have the best reputation!” Joelle teased as she nibbled on a piece of fruit.


    Katherine sighed. “Joelle, you shoulde with us tonight. If I turn Shawn down, you can keep himpany. He doesn’t have many friends; it’s kind of sad.” Joelle, now free from obligations and flush with both time and money, couldn’t resist the invitation. “Alright, I’ll go.”


    Just then, there was a knock at the door. Joelle quickly ended the call and went to answer it, finding Adrian on the other side. “You’re not at work?”


    “You’re not at work?” The two spoke at the same time. It was unusual for either of them, typically so absorbed in their careers, to be home at ten o’clock in the morning. Joelle, not wanting to raise suspicion, quickly lied, “I’m on holiday these days.”


    Adrian seemed to ept this without question. “I’m going to visit Grandma. Do you want toe with me?”


    “Sure.”


    “Great. Let’s head out in half an hour.”


    Joelle no longer needed to spend half an hour applying makeup; a simple preparation was enough now. After changing her clothes, she grabbed her bag. Lately, she had gained a bit of weight and preferred thefort of loose-fitting clothes.


    Adrian was resisting the urge to pinch her cheek. “Ready?”


    “Yes, let’s go.”


    They made their way to the hospital, where Irene was recovering. Although her illness wasn’t serious, staying at the hospital couldn’t be found at home where her family often stirred up trouble. The visiting hours for Amara’s family and Quincy’s family were deliberately staggered, something Irene regretted. She mused that she could never witness a reunion in her lifetime.


    However, Joelle’s visit brought a spark of joy to her day. “Joelle, you look well these days!”


    “With you caring so much about me, how could I not?” Irene smiled and said, “Your mother’s death anniversary is in two days, isn’t it? I’ll make arrangements for a visit to her grave in advance.”


    In past years, the Miller family had always handled such matters for Joelle. But this year was different. She was no longer Adrian’s wife, and Shawn was now capable enough to handle things. She didn’t want to impose on the Millers anymore.


    “There’s no need, Irene. My brother and I want to spend some time alone with our mother.”


    Her words brought a moment of awkward silence. Irene hesitated before patting Joelle’s hand gently with her wrinkled palm. “You’ve endured so much these past years, Joelle. I know everything, yet I still hope you and Adrian might find a way to stay together.”


    Adrian was absent from the room, having gone to visit Reba, who was also hospitalized recently—a fact that only underscored how Irene’s wish seemed far-fetched. “I don’t have feelings for Adrian anymore.”


    Irene sighed but remained hopeful. “Even if those feelings aren’t there now, they can grow over time. In my day, marriages were arranged by parents, but love often followedter. What’s most important is having good character.” She smiled, her gaze softening. “You’re a good woman, Joelle, just like your mother.”


    Joelle managed a polite smile in return. At that moment, the door swung open, and Adrian entered. “Grandma, isn’t it about time you rested?” Irene shot him a subtle re, the disappointment evident in her eyes. He was such a disappointment!


    “Did you visit the mother and daughter from the Lloyd family again?” Irene asked.


    “Yes,” replied Adrian.


    Irene spat, “You’re going to drive me to an early grave at this rate! Your mother’s already adopted Reba. She’ll handle everything for her from now on. There’s no need for you to be running over there every day!”


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