?<strong>Chapter 191:</strong>


    Katherine nced at Rafael and asked, “Rafael, are you joining us?”


    “Yes,” Rafael replied. “The Romero family and the Miller family have been allies for generations.”


    “And the children?” Katherine pressed on, her concern evident.


    “They’lle too,” Joelle said without a moment’s hesitation. She met Rafael’s gaze. “Before we returned, we agreed to attend the funeral as a family.”


    Now, with two beautiful children in her life, Joelle was eager for Irene to meet them, especially since one of them shared her bloodline.


    Katherine took a sip of her drink, her mood darkening. “I imagine the scene will be quite something.” Joelle couldn’t help but picture it herself. Despite the potential drama, she felt a deep contentment with Rafael by her side. Their rtionship, while still evolving, was solid. She had once said it would take time, and now she was more than satisfied with their life together.


    She lifted her cup to her lips, taking a sip of coffee as she hid her thoughts, sneaking a nce at Rafael.


    “Adrian! Wait!”


    The woman, Pa Todd, hurried in her high heels, barely catching up to Adrian just as he was about to get into his car.


    “Why are you walking so fast? I’m in heels, and my feet are killing me,” sheined.


    Adrian nced at her feet, instantly recognizing her ploy for his attention. But what Pa didn’t know was that the little girl she had just kicked was the daughter Adrian had spent thest three years searching for.


    Without a word, Adrian opened the car door, his expression unreadable. Pa, suddenly anxious, forgot all about her aching feet.


    “Wait! I haven’t gotten in yet!”


    “You don’t need to.” Adrian’s voice was cold.


    Pa blinked, stunned. “Adrian, what did I do wrong?”


    “You kicked a child in public. Do you think someone like you deserves to stand by my side?”


    Pa bristled, ready to defend herself. “Adrian, I’ve already exined. It was that woman who couldn’t control her child! The kid was running wild in public! I’m the one who was wronged, and yet you’re siding with an outsider?”


    “An outsider?” Adrian’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “It’s hard to say who the real outsider is here—her or you.”


    With that, he climbed into the car and drove away, leaving Pa standing there, her mind racing to make sense of his words.


    Pa and Adrian had met only six months ago when she worked at a nightclub. She had caught someone trying to drug him, and in a fit of anger—having just been dumped by a wealthy patron—she had reported it. To her surprise, Adrian had begun to pay attention to her after that.


    She didn’t know much about him, but she had done her research. Adrian was far more powerful and wealthier than the man who had dumped her, a man who could influence the entire city.


    For the past six months, Pa had made it her mission to win Adrian over. Yet despite her efforts, their rtionship hadn’t progressed beyond a few dinners, some extravagant gifts, and the asional gesture of kindness from him.


    She wasn’t even sure if Adrian truly cared for her, but the challenge of conquering such an elusive man was intoxicating. If she could seed, it would secure her a life of luxury beyond her wildest dreams.


    After dinner, Joelle walked Katherine out. “What’s going on between you and Rafael? Are you just raising these kids together?” Katherine asked. “Joelle, you can’t keep going on like this forever, can you?”


    Joelle sighed, ncing back at the house. The warm glow of the lights inside spilled onto thewn, and the sound of Rafael’sughter mingling with that of the two children reached her ears, filling the evening air with an undeniable sense of family.


    “I’ve thought about it too,” Joelle admitted. “But Rafael keeps telling me to take it easy. I’ve broached it several times before, but he always says it’s not the right time. And as time passed, we just stopped talking about it.”


    “What do you think of Rafael?” Katherine pressed.


    Joelle’s expression softened. “He’s a good man. He’s also wonderful with the children. Aurora and Rnd have considered him their father from the very beginning, and I’ve never denied that.”


    Katherine nudged Joelle with her elbow, her voice teasing. “Then what are you waiting for? Don’t let your happiness slip away!”


    Joelle nced at her, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. “But wouldn’t it be too forward for me to take the initiative?”


    “Haven’t you ever heard that it’s easy for a woman to get a man? Besides, I’m certain Rafael wouldn’t turn you down if you made the first move. You should fight for your own happiness. Do you think Rafael doesn’t want to be with you? If he truly didn’t, why would he be so willing to take care of two children who aren’t even his?”


    Joelle listened, feeling a growing resolve within her. Katherine was right. Rafael hadn’t said anything because he was waiting for her to make the first move.


    After walking Katherine out, Joelle went to find Rafael. “Have the kids finished their baths?”


    Rafael nodded. “Yes, they’re asleep now.”


    Their eyes met, and they both sighed in unison, a shared sense of relief washing over them.


    With the children finally asleep, they could steal a few moments for themselves. Joelle made a cup of coffee for Rafael. A war movie flickered on the TV screen, the volume turned down low so as not to disturb the sleeping children.


    Joelle settled beside him, watching the movie infortable silence for a while. Then, on a whim, she picked up a grape with a toothpick and held it to Rafael’s lips.


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