?<strong>Chapter 240:</strong>


    Shawn was on his way to Joelle’s room.


    “Uncle Shawn!”


    Aurora’s voice, sweet as honey, filled the air as she flung herself into Shawn’s embrace. Except for Rafael, Shawn was the next person the kids adored dearly.


    Shawn’s generosity was well-known. He showered the kids with gifts and had a knack for never raising his voice, making him a favorite.


    He ruffled Aurora’s hair and said, “Why don’t you take your brother and find something fun to do? I need to have a chat with your mom.”


    “Am I not allowed to listen?” Aurora asked innocently. Shawn gave her nose a gentle poke. “Kids who eavesdrop on adults end up as short as a teacup!”


    “I don’t want to be short! Uncle Shawn, you’re the meanest!” With a dramatic huff, she dragged Rnd toward the toy room.


    As Shawn ventured deeper into the bedroom, he could hear Joelle’s faint cough. “Shawn.”


    “How are you holding up?”


    “Dizzy,” Joelle replied. She had napped for a while, but the fever still clung to her.


    Shawn urged her to rest, and Joelle nodded.


    “Joelle,” Shawn said, his eyes scanning her with concern. “Did you have a falling out with Belle?”


    “No.” Despite her dizziness, Joelle tried to stay alert, but the urge to sink back into sleep was strong.


    “She mentioned cooking for me today,” Joelle added while coughing. “You said I’m lucky to have such a wonderful mother-inw. We get along splendidly; nothing like Amara.”


    “Belle has already left,” Shawn informed her. “She departed as soon as I got back, and I caught a bit of their conversation.”


    “What? I need to see them off.” Joelle’s eyes widened, and she started to push the covers aside.


    “Rest easy. Even if you went now, you’d miss them; their car’s already out of sight.”


    Joelle’s breath grew heavy with frustration. “How could this happen?”


    “I overheard some sort of argument involving you between Belle and Rafael. Would you like me to inquire further?”


    Instinctively, Joelle shook her head. This was a matter she felt she needed to handle with Rafael if it truly concerned her. Besides, if it was important, Rafael would find a way to share it with her.


    “No, Shawn. I trust Rafael to sort things out on his own. And if it’s necessary, he’ll tell me.”


    “Alright. As long as you’re confident in handling things, that’s what matters.”


    Joelle felt adrift, unsure of what could have sparked a conflict between Belle and Rafael. She only found Rafael after another nap.


    “Was your mom upset with me?”


    “Why do you ask that?”


    Joelle met his gaze, steady and searching. “I’ve had a sense that she’s been less than pleased thesest few visits.”


    Rafael hadn’t expected Joelle to catch on so quickly. He hesitated, debating whether he should confirm her suspicion or downy it. He was worried that Belle’s harsh words would hurt Joelle.


    “Don’t worry about it, Joelle.” He ced a soft kiss on her forehead. “It’s nothing serious. Really. It’s got nothing to do with you, and I’ll handle it.”


    “Are you sure?” Joelle’s brow arched ever so slightly. The look on his face was betraying him.


    If it was truly nothing, then why did he wear that strained expression?


    Her fingers found his, warm and firm. She sped his hand with a kind of quiet resolve. “Rafael, we may not have had the wedding yet, but legally, we’re a couple now. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. I’m here, and I’m not afraid.”


    For a moment, Rafael almost considered telling her everything. Being transparent was part of what made rtionships work, wasn’t it? But then, there was also the aspect of protecting the ones you loved from unnecessary pain. Belle’s words had been harsh, and he couldn’t bear to let Joelle carry that weight too.


    “I promise, it’s okay.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “And it really has nothing to do with you.”


    Despite his words, that very night, Rafael found himself visiting his parents.


    On the drive, Liza tried to smooth things over, praising Joelle to Belle. She mentioned how Joelle could y the violin well, for instance, and her raising two kids by herself. But Belle remained unmoved, her face hard as stone. “Liza, you know how much Rafael cares for Joelle. Can’t we just let them be?”


    “Absolutely not! I will not stand by and let some divorcee get her ws into my son!”


    The harshness of her words cast a shadow over Liza’s face, and Belle quickly caught it.


    “Oh, Liza, I didn’t mean it like that. Divorce isn’t the end of the world.”


    “I understand. A woman like me, divorced, shouldn’t expect much in the way of love again.”


    “Don’t you dare think like that!” Belle’s face softened, and she pulled Liza into a tight embrace. “You’re nothing like Joelle! We never wanted you to marry so quickly, but your father was struggling. We had no choice. But I promise, you’ll find someone better. You will!”


    “Alright, Mom.”


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