?<strong>Chapter 221:</strong>


    “I’m sorry, Joelle, I didn’t mean to bring it up,” Gina said quickly, apologizing.


    “It’s alright. It’s been many years since my mother’s death. She’s gone, and we who remain must continue living,” Joelle responded, maintaining herposure.


    “Okay.”


    Joelle grasped Gina’s hand warmly. “Gina, I really appreciate how well you look after my father.”


    “You make it sound like I’m an outsider,” Gina smiled. “I owe so much to the Watson family. If it weren’t for your family, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Caring for your father is both a privilege and my responsibility.”


    While they were talking, a nurse entered to request Joellee for a check-up. Joelle was now able to leave her bed, though she still required a wheelchair. Since Rafael had returned home to collect some of her clothes, Gina helped her. “Joelle, let me help you with the check-up.”


    “Okay, thank you.”


    After the check-up, Joelle unexpectedly encountered a familiar face.


    “Mrs. Miller…” Leah quickly corrected herself. “Ms. Watson.”


    “Leah.”


    Tears filled Leah’s eyes as she moved closer, asking, “What happened?”


    Joelle instructed Gina to collect the test results before exining her situation. Aside from Irene, Leah was the second person in the Miller family who truly showed her care. Yet, Joelle had always known that Leah’s loyaltiesy with Adrian.


    “Leah, I’m alright.”


    Fidgeting anxiously, Leah sped her thigh. “Where have you been thesest three years? Adrian has been searching for you.”


    With straightforward honesty, Joelle said, “Leah, I’ve been abroad. I married Rafael and we’ve had two children together. Thesest three years have been filled with happiness; you don’t have to worry.”


    Stunned, Leah was speechless, unsure how to react to the news of the children and Joelle’s marriage to Rafael. But she grasped the deeper implication in Joelle’s words—she was no longer part of the Miller family.


    Leah, feeling a bit of sympathy for Adrian, offered a gracious smile. “It’s good to hear you’re doing well.”


    “What brings you here to the hospital, Leah? Are you feeling sick?”


    “Just dealing with the usual aches and pains of getting older.”


    Joelle asked, “Are you still working for the Miller family? Didn’t they sort out your retirement?”


    “They did, actually.” Leahughed lightly, brushing the notion aside with a wave. “After Irene’s death, Adrian insisted I retire to my hometown. However, I can’t just sit around, and I’m concerned about him being on his own. These past three years have been rough on him. With all the upheaval within Quincy’s family and Amara only looking out for herself, there were days Adrian returned to a home that felt empty and cold.”


    Realizing she had said too much, Leah quickly added, “Here I am rambling about things that no longer concern you. He’s made his choices, and now he must live with them.”


    Joelle maintained herposure, offering a serene smile. “Leah, I should get going.”


    Leah wanted to say something but hesitated. Joelle had been so ideal, patiently waiting for Adrian every day, cooking borate meals whether he came home or not, and keeping the house immacte. Now, that perfect girl was someone else’s wife.


    On the fifth day of Joelle’s stay in the hospital, she ran into Reba and Salome by chance. “Joelle,” Reba greeted her warmly.


    It had been three years since theirst meeting, and Reba looked different, her style now strikingly simr to Joelle’s, right down to the brands of essories she chose. Nevertheless, Joelle wasn’t one to fuss over such minor details.


    “Have you recovered from your illness?” Joelle asked.


    Reba gave a soft hum of agreement. She still looked delicate despite her recovery. Joelle, despite not being fond of Reba, was aware of the severity of her condition—a rare type of brain tumor. Surviving such an illness wasn’t easy for Reba.


    “Congrattions!”


    Joelle’s congrattions feltckluster. Now happy with her family life, she found it strange that she had once obsessively followed Reba’s Twitter because of Adrian.


    “Thank you.”


    Driven by curiosity, Joelle asked, “How did you manage to recover?”


    “I was treated at a renowned research institute abroad, all thanks to Adrian. I spent a year there beforeing back,” Reba exined.


    “Really? Which institute?”


    “Kovach Institute.”


    Joelle stopped for a moment. Kovach Institute was the same ce where her hand condition had been treated. Given the institute having facilities in three different countries, it was unlikely that she and Reba had been at the same ce.


    “I understand.”


    Salome gently touched Reba’s hand and said, “Let’s head out, Reba.”


    “Joelle, we’re heading off now,” Reba said.


    After they left, Joelle lingered, watching them walk away for quite some time.


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