?<strong>Chapter 222:</strong>


    Reba asked, “Mom, did you see that? Joelle was mocking me with what she just said.”


    Salome stole a furtive nce behind; Joelle’s gaze lingered on them.


    “That’s perfectly normal. The more she mocks you, the more threatened she feels by you. She might seem calm, but every time she sees you with Adrian, she’s seething with jealousy!”


    But Reba found no balm in her mother’s words. To ensnare Adrian’s attention, she feltpelled to be Joelle’s doppelganger, mirroring her every move and style. Even her triumphs felt akin to defeat.


    Refusing to ept this, she had Pa orchestrate damage to Joelle’s studio. But Pa, proving ipetent, only exacerbated the situation. “Reba?”


    Reba snapped to attention, noticing the deep crimson marks her nails had left on her palm. “Mom, do you still have the drug you gave Joelle before?”


    Salome’s eyes widened. “Reba, what are you nning?”


    Reba remained tight-lipped, a cier-cold smirk ying on her lips.


    Rafael returned with the medication and noticed Joelle’s distracted demeanor. “What are you looking at?”


    “I saw Reba and Salome,” Joelle answered.


    “And then?”


    Joelle voiced her suspicions. “I asked Reba how she recovered, and she mentioned the Kovach Institute, saying she was treated overseas for a year.”


    Rafael blurted out, “Impossible!”


    “Why?”


    “I’ve spent quite some time working at the Kovach Institute over the past three years. Reba’s condition, a rare brain tumor, is extremely umon. If she had been treated, I would have known.”


    Joelle pondered for a moment. “Honestly, I’ve always found it strange. Every time Reba fainted, it seemed almost intentional.”


    “Joelle, do you think she’s been faking it all along?”


    Joelle lowered her voice, relieved that Reba and Salome had already taken their leave. “It’s just a gut feeling. But remember, Salome had the nerve to call and stress me out, causing my prematurebor. It’s not far-fetched for the mother and daughter to scheme together to deceive Adrian. All we need is proof.” She’d been biding her time, waiting for the perfect moment to settle the score for the hellishbor they’d put her through.


    Rafael nodded. “If she’s really faking it, then Adrian’s been in the dark this whole time. Joelle, do you think you should give him a heads-up?”


    “Let’s gather the evidence first,” Joelle said gravely. “Even if we inform Adrian, we need concrete proof. Otherwise, given how much he cares for Reba and Salome, he might not take us seriously.”


    Joelle’s frank discussion about Adrian seemed to lift a weight off Rafael’s shoulders. “Then I’ll ask around at the institute.”


    “Okay.”


    Rafael nced at the time and said, “It’s gettingte. Joelle, I need to head back and take care of the kids.”


    “Alright.”


    Shortly after Rafael’s departure, a nurse brought Joelle her medicine. Joelle downed it in one go, an unexpected wave of drowsiness washing over her. Usually, she’d be wide awake at this hour.


    She slept so deeply that her consciousness hovered just below the surface, aware yet unable to muster the strength to open her eyes. Memories shed through her mind like scenes from an old film.


    She was chasing a boy in a pristine white shirt, but the sun was a blinding spotlight. Laughter echoed, but the boy’s face remained a blur.


    “Wait for me!” Joelle’s legs betrayed her, and she stood still, tears flowing.


    “Why are you always crying so much?” The boy reappeared, his hand tenderly caressing her head.


    Joelle finally glimpsed his face, but her smile evaporated instantaneously. “Why is it you?”


    Adrianughed heartily, his voice resonating with mirth. “Who else would it be? Joelle, let’s go together.” Joelle’s eyes fixed on the boy’s hand, and as if possessed by a sudden, strangepulsion, her own hand extended.


    But the scene shifted abruptly, and she was jerked backward with such force that she spun around. When she finally regained her senses, the same hand forcefully propelled her onto the cold, unforgiving floor.


    “Joelle, you drugged me! You even sacrificed your chastity for the Watson family!”


    “Adie, no, I didn’t!”


    “Shut up!” The man, enraged, hurled her clothes at her face. “Get out!”


    “Adie, I swear I didn’t drug you!”


    Joelle wept until her tears seemed to drain the very breath from her lungs, leaving her gasping for air.


    Why did he gaze at her with such eyes? And why had she only encountered his disdain and cold treatment during their three-year marriage? What had she done wrong?


    “Adie, did I do something wrong?”


    “Leave now! Joelle, just so you’re aware, if it weren’t for my grandmother’s task, I would feel repulsed every time I slept with you!”


    “Adie, are youing home today?”


    “Joelle, don’t you think you’re interfering a bit too much? Do you honestly believe you’re my wife?”


    Old memories seeped in until Joelle was jolted awake by a sharp pang of sorrow.


    She found herself on the hospital rooftop, the evening deepening into a somber darkness, with the cold wind whispering through her ears.


    Her mind was crystal clear after the deep sleep, but her body moved mechanically towards the precipice. “Step forward and jump off,” a voice murmured in her ear.


    Joelle wanted to turn around to see who was beckoning her, but all she saw was a straight path ahead. A voice echoed in her mind, urging her, “Jump off, and you will taste freedom.”


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