?<strong>Chapter 217:</strong>


    Joelle acknowledged Shawn’s insight. She realized she needed to be more attuned to Rafael’s emotions. Rafael had seemed out of sorts for a while. He wouldn’t have asked about her day if he hadn’t felt something amiss. He was looking for transparency, not Joelle’s tendency to avoid direct answers.


    As Joelle drove faster, her feelings of guilt towards Rafael intensified. Suddenly, her phone rang. She answered without slowing down. “Hello, Rafael!”


    “Sorry, Joelle, I—”


    “Rafael, you don’t have to exin. I’m on my way to you right now! It’s my fault, and I’ll be honest with you! Just hold on, okay?”


    Rafael paused, taken aback. “Joelle, are you driving?”


    “Yes, I’m heading your way,” Joelle confessed, her grip tightening on the steering wheel. “Rafael, I’m truly sorry. It seems I’ve taken your kindness for granted and overlooked how you felt.”


    “No.” Rafael’s voice was tight. “Joelle, this is on me. I’ve been too petty.”


    “It’s not your fault!” Joelle took a deep breath. “I need to concentrate on the road. I’ll be there soon.”


    She ended the call just as a ck cat streaked across the poorly lit road. Joelle gasped in shock. Her hands frantically twisted the steering wheel, causing the tires to screech loudly against the asphalt.


    Bang!


    Her car, moving at high speed, crashed into a tree by the roadside. The airbag deployed, striking Joelle’s chest, while blood began to drip from a cut on her forehead. Her vision blurred by blood-stained eyshes. Instinctively, Joelle reached for her phone. “Rafael…”


    Time seemed to blur before she regained consciousness, her body throbbing with pain. Her phone began to ring. With blurred vision, Joelle answered the call in confusion. “Help me…”


    On the other end, Adrian was shocked. “Joelle?” Receiving no answer, his voice filled with panic. “Joelle!”


    When Joelle awoke in the hospital, she felt as though her body had been torn apart. Adrian and Rafael stood by her bedside, concern etched on their faces. Rafael had a bruise on his face.


    “Rafael…”


    “Joelle, you’re finally awake!” Rafael eximed, gripping her hand. “I’m sorry, this is all my fault. I shouldn’t have worried you. How are you feeling? Do you feel any difort?”


    Joelle inquired, “What happened to your face?” Rafael, now considerably more sober, tightened his lips and looked away. “It’s nothing.”


    “I hit him,” Adrian interjected.


    Joelle stared at him in disbelief. “Why would you hit him?”


    Adrian let out a derisiveugh. Had he not called Joelle and extracted her from the crash site in time, she might not have survived. The doctor had inquired about his rtionship with Joelle. After some contemtion, he decided it was best to inform Rafael, only to discover Rafael was at a bar. In other words, while Joelle suffered a car ident, Rafael was off drinking. Overwhelmed by rage, Adrian had punched Rafael, which sobered him up quite a bit.


    “I hit him because I felt like it. What does it matter to you?”


    Joelle would not stand for Rafael being treated poorly. Despite her own injuries, including a broken leg and a neck wound, she was adamant about protecting Rafael. “Why did you hit him? Adrian, if youy a hand on him again, I’ll fight you with everything I’ve got!”


    Rafael quickly stepped in. “I’m alright, Joelle. It’s partly my fault too. Night driving is dangerous, and I should have discouraged you from going out.”


    “Rafael, I’m okay. You shouldn’t me yourself.” Adrian, observing this moment, was overwhelmed by conflicting feelings. He recalled instances when Joelle had fiercely defended him in the past.


    “Adrian, you can go now,” said Joelle.


    Rafael suggested, “Adrian, let me walk you to the door.” Adrian sensed Rafael wanted to discuss something, so he didn’t object. The two men exited the hospital room.


    As the elevator doors shut, Rafael saw the blood at the corner of his mouth, but he didn’t me Adrian, admitting to his ownpse in judgment that night. “Adrian, I need to ask you something.”


    Turning to face Rafael, Adrian knew well that Rafael’s demeanor wasn’t always as serene and gentle as it seemed. He was prone to outbursts of anger, typically only when provoked. Right then, Rafael’s face was stern, seemingly cautioning him to steer clear of Joelle.


    Adrian, however, thought this was absurd. It was quite ironic! Adrian had once been close to Joelle himself and had told Rafael to keep his distance.


    “Why did you reach out to Joelle?” Rafael asked. A smirk appeared on Adrian’s face. “Are you jealous? Is that really necessary?”


    “Adrian, Joelle and I owe you nothing. We got together after your divorce was finalized with her. We’re happy now, and I’d prefer it if you didn’t disrupt our peace anymore.”


    “Alright.” Adrian arched an eyebrow. “Just let me take Aurora. You have a son already. Return my daughter to me, and you’ll never hear from me again.”


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