?<strong>Chapter 233:</strong>


    “Aurora!” Joelle called out, but Aurora wouldn’t stir. Joelle instinctively checked for signs of life, holding her breath until she felt the faint rhythm of Aurora’s breathing beneath her fingertips. A sigh of relief escaped her lips.


    But then, Adrian’s and Rafael’s urgent voices rang out in unison. “Joelle!”


    Reba had produced a knife and pressed it against Joelle’s neck. Joelle clutched Aurora even tighter, her fear subsiding into a steely resolve.


    Reba said, “Adie, make your choice! Me and Aurora? Or her?”


    Joelle’s eyes pleaded silently with him, begging him to protect Aurora. Rafael’s voice cut in. “Adrian, Joelle’s life is just as important!”


    Adrian seemed to hear nothing; Joelle was the only one he cared about. “I’m sorry. But Aurora needs me.”


    Rafael’s frustration was palpable. “Adrian!”


    Reba let out a wickedugh, her triumph evident. She leaned in close to Joelle’s ear. “Hear that? Joelle, you’re nothing!”


    Joelle’s voice was calm. “Even if I were gone, do you really think you’d stand a chance with him? Adrian knows you faked your illness to manipte him. This isn’t about me, Reba! He didn’t choose either of us. He chose Aurora. She’s the one who matters to him!”


    “What was that?” Reba’s eyes red with fury as she focused her rage on Aurora in Joelle’s arms. “Then I’ll kill her first!”


    gα?ησν????s is where imagination thrives


    The de at Joelle’s neck loosened, and with every ounce of strength she had, Joelle shoved Reba away. Cradling Aurora tightly, she ran as fast as her legs could carry them.


    Adrian and Rafael rushed towards her, but the distance between them was too great, and Reba was already back on her feet, charging after her like a woman possessed. “Joelle, you’re going to hell!”


    Joelle dropped to the floor, curling her body protectively around Aurora, bracing herself for the worst. She could survive the pain of a knife wound, but the thought of Aurora being harmed was unbearable. But the stab never came.


    Hearing Reba’s voice, Joelle opened her eyes, blinking in disbelief. Adrian stood in front of her, gripping the de in his bare hand. Blood seeped from between his fingers, dripping steadily to the floor.


    “You sacrificed your hand for her?” Reba asked.


    Rafael didn’t wait for an answer. He moved quickly, kicking Reba to the floor, sending the knife ttering from her grasp. He and Adrian hurriedly pulled Joelle to her feet.


    The only thing on their minds now was to escape this madness, to get out of the abandoned building where one wrong move could lead to a fatal fall.


    But Reba was relentless. She staggered to her feet, snatching the knife once more, her fury propelling her forward. “Joelle, die!”


    Rafael was the first to react, throwing his arm up to shield Joelle. The de sank into his flesh, leaving a deep, ugly wound.


    Adrian immediately retaliated, kicking Reba hard in the stomach.


    “Rafael!” Joelle cried, her voice breaking.


    Rafael’s hands, hands that had saved countless lives, were more precious than hers. Clutching his wounded arm, Rafael gritted his teeth through the pain. “I’m fine, Joelle. No nerves were hit. Let’s go!”


    Rebay on the floor, coughing up blood, her teeth stained red. She watched them, her eyes fixated on Adrian as he moved farther and farther away. “Adie, if we can’t be together in life, we’ll be together in death!”


    Out of the corner of her eye, Joelle saw her charging at Rafael with the knife in hand. Reba’s face twisted into a menacing smile.


    Joelle didn’t have time to think at all. Without thinking, she threw herself at Adrian, who was standing dangerously close to the edge of the roof. Reba’s knife struck only air as she stumbled forward, her momentum carrying her over the edge.


    The sickening thud of Reba’s body hitting the ground was a sound Joelle would never forget. Shey on Adrian’s chest, trembling, her eyes squeezed shut. She had known Reba was going to fall, but the finality of it still shook her to the core.


    It took Adrian several moments toprehend what had just happened. When Joelle had thrown herself at him, it reminded him of the time she had once risked her life to protect him. And now, here she was, doing it again!


    The police and paramedics arrivedter. The medics quickly bandaged Rafael’s and Adrian’s wounds, checking Aurora for any signs of harm. They zipped Reba’s lifeless body into a bag, preparing to notify her family of the tragedy.


    Joelle stood quietly, watching, before stepping forward. “I’ll tell them. I know her family.”


    Miles away, Salome sat in her living room, her anxiety growing by the second. She wheeled herself back and forth, ncing out the window every few moments. Suddenly, a screw on her wheelchair loosened, causing it to copse. She fell to the floor with a thud.


    It was an omen. As shey on the floor, her unease only deepened. As if on cue, her phone rang, sitting just out of reach on the sofa. With great effort, she crawled toward it and answered. “Hello? Reba?”


    Joelle said calmly, “Mrs. Lloyd, I’m sorry to inform you that Reba fell to her death about half an hour ago. You’ll need toe to the station to im her body.”


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