?<strong>Chapter 218:</strong>


    “You surely don’t believe it’s right to enjoy a happy family life while I am all alone, do you?” Adrian inquired. Rafael’s expression grew grim as he retorted, “What was your reason for wanting a child to begin with? Must I remind you? You don’t truly care about Aurora. Your fight for custody is merely a way to get back at Joelle. Do you really think you’re father material? If you can’t appreciate someone else’s child, how can you truly love your own?”


    Adrian felt stung by these words. Why did both Rafael and Joelle assume he didn’t love his daughter? If Joelle hadn’t taken Aurora for those three long years, would his daughter have had to grow up away from her true home? He was certain, beyond any doubt, that he loved his daughter more deeply than Rafael could ever understand. The air was heavy with tension, on the verge of exploding into a heated dispute.


    Adrian took a measured step towards Rafael. “Do I need to listen to you question my love for my daughter? Are you even capable of handling your own son? Your concern for my child is unnecessary.”


    Rafael stood calm, his tone even. “Does Aurora even see you as her father?”


    Rage surged within Adrian, prompting him to grab Rafael by the cor. “And who is to me for that? Rafael, are you really provoking a fight?”


    The past was aplex mesh of guilt and resentment. Joelle believed she had no reason to apologize, and Adrian was equally certain he had no debts to her. Yes, Adrian had been harsh with Joelle in the past. But ever since he had escorted her to that operating room, he had been determined to forge a life with her, one they both deserved. Yet Joelle had chosen to flee. She had taken their daughter and married his best friend. Now, Adrian no longer wanted Joelle; he wanted only his daughter.


    However, Rafael could understand Adrian’s feelings, but the family of four he now had was precisely the life Joelle had always wanted. Rafael stood firm in his resolve to safeguard Joelle’s happiness at all costs. He brushed off Adrian’s hand from his cor. “Isn’t this mess a result of your own actions? When you married Joelle, I stepped aside. It was you who failed to appreciate her. If you didn’t cherish her, why should she believe you’d care for the child whose birth nearly cost her life?”


    gα?ησν????s?c???? brings imagination alive


    Adrian repeated Rafael’s words, his voiceden with disbelief. “What?”


    “During a particrly difficult delivery, she suffered a severe hemorrhage and nearly lost her life. Where were you at that time? You were assisting Reba with her medical needs, weren’t you?”


    Three years ago, Adrian had indeed arranged a flight to take Reba abroad for medical treatment, but that was after his attempts to locate Joelle had failed. Adrian had braved a severe storm in a desperate attempt to find Joelle, while she was enduring her own life-threatening ordeal giving birth to their child. A heavy silence enveloped Adrian as he contemted Rafael’s words. Then a realization dawned on him—Joelle had also borne Rafael’s child.


    Childbirth always teeters on the brink of death. If Joelle’s initial experience was so traumatic, why would she opt to undergo it again? Had Joelle remained with him, Adrian would never have allowed her to suffer so greatly a second time. But ultimately, was this not Joelle’s decision to make? With this thought, Adrian found his sympathy for Joelle waning.


    “Reba’s condition had been neglected for far too long. Without my intervention, she might not have made it.”


    “So, Adrian, haven’t you made your choice? If you deem Reba more important than Joelle, why return to disrupt our lives?”


    What did he mean by suggesting Reba was more important than Joelle? Was such aparison even justifiable?


    “Are you so upset because you fear Joelle might return to me? Do you truly have such little faith in yourself?” Adrian retorted.


    Rafael’s expression shifted as he sternly called out Adrian’s name. Adrian lifted his chin defiantly. “Oh, did that strike a nerve?”


    From behind them, a nurse’s voice interrupted, “Who is Joelle Watson’s family?” Rafael’s clenched fist slowly rxed. “I need to get back to taking care of Joelle.”


    With a snort, Adrian exited the hospital and made his way to Joelle’s house. Shawn opened the door, cradling Rnd and feeding him. “Adrian? What’s your reason foring?”


    Shawn was unaware of Joelle’s recent car ident. Adrian, showing uncharacteristic consideration, chose not to rm him. “I’vee to see Aurora.”


    Shawn, still smiling, blocked his path. “Aurora’s asleep already. Why don’t you trying back tomorrow?”


    “I need to see her, even if she’s asleep.” Adrian pushed to enter, causing the smile to fade from Shawn’s eyes. “Adrian, please don’t make this hard. My sister and her husband are doing well. Let’s not disturb their peace.”


    Adrian swore under his breath. Even Shawn was echoing the same sentiment. Was it too much to request a visit with his daughter? Since when had such a simple wish be an intrusion?


    “Shawn, have you forgotten the years you got by with my financial help?”


    Shawn had to admit the truth in Adrian’s statement. His ventures overseas had thrived thanks to Adrian’s support over those three years. Outwardly, Shawn had always appeared to be the struggling businessman, barely keeping Watson Group solvent. Yet, in reality, his sessful international dealings had long established him among the affluent.


    “I remember,” Shawn responded, stifling a yawn. “You want to see your daughter? Maybe it’s time you started paying some child support. I’ve been covering the expenses these past three years!”


    .


    .


    .