?<strong>Chapter 243:</strong>


    Seeing Rafael nod, a wave of concern washed over Joelle. She reached out to gently trace the mark on his face, her expression clouding with displeasure. “Why did Humphrey do this? Why did he hit you?”


    “It’s nothing new. We’ve never seen eye to eye, even when I was a child.”


    Joelle sensed his reluctance to delve deeper and chose not to press him. Rafael caught her hand, reassuring her. “Joelle, I’m really okay.”


    Joelle sighed, realizing that Rafael didn’t just need physical care; he needed emotional support. “Rafael, can you promise to tell me if something bothers you in the future? We should face things together. Even if I can’t solve everything, at least let me share the weight, okay?”


    That request made Rafael’s heart skip. He enveloped Joelle in a tight embrace, nodding against her hair. ustomed to solitude in his struggles, her offer touched a deep chord within him. “Thank you, Joelle,” he murmured.


    Joelle chuckled lightly within the circle of his arm. “Silly, we’re married, aren’t we?”


    Rafael then grasped her shoulders, drawing her closer in a tender moment that soon grew intimate. Seizing the perfect moment, he kissed her deeply, igniting a spark between them.


    She responded by shyly taking his hand, tilting her head back to meet his gaze, her eyes soft with affection. Rafael, usually soposed and rational, found his restraint slipping away under the influence of his deep affection and desire.


    One kiss led to another, each more urgent than thest. Their foreheads pressed together, their breaths mingled—chaotic but synchronized.


    “Joelle.”


    “Rafael.”


    Their voices, husky with emotion, intertwined in the intimate moment.


    Suddenly, the sound of Rnd’s cries pierced the air from outside. Joelle gave a helpless smile as their brief interlude was cut short.


    Lately, she had noticed a peculiar pattern—Liza had been visiting their home increasingly often, spending time alone with Rafael in the study as if they shared a secret that excluded Joelle.


    Each time after Liza left, Joelle would inquire about their discussions. Rafael assured her it was only about Belle and Humphrey, yet they felt the need to keep these discussions from Joelle.


    A few dayster, with her studio back in operation and her days upied once again, Joelle found herselfing home earlier than usual one afternoon. To her surprise, she discovered Liza in her bedroom. “Liza? What are you doing here?”


    Caught off guard, Liza scrambled for an exnation, her smile strained. “I was searching for one of Aurora’s toys. I must’ve wandered in here identally.”


    “Okay.” Joelle didn’t doubt it and joined Liza in the search.


    After a moment of silence, Liza said, “Joelle, I’ve noticed that you and Rafael sleep in separate rooms.”


    “Yes. Belle advised against anything inappropriate before marriage. Plus, I’m wary of having another child right now.”


    Liza coughed awkwardly, hinting at her next question. “So, you two haven’t…?”


    Feeling a bit shy but recognizing Liza as family—and another woman—Joelle decided to be candid. “No, we haven’t. With two kids, we don’t have the time for that.”


    “True,” Liza agreed, then suddenly pped a hand to her forehead. “Oh dear, I’m so scatterbrained today. I shouldn’t have been going through your things, no matter the reason.”


    Joelle waved off the concern with a gracious smile. “It’s okay, really. Let’s have some dinner. We can look for the toyter.”


    Liza’s gaze lingered on Joelle as they moved to leave the room, something unreadable in her eyes.


    After dinner, as Liza prepared to leave, she teased Rafael yfully, “Aren’t you going to walk me out?”


    Rafael shrugged. “Is that really necessary?”


    “Go on.” Joelle gave him a gentle push. Reluctantly, he rose from his seat.


    The siblings donned their coats and stepped outside into the brisk evening air of Illerith, which had grown noticeably colder as night fell.


    As they walked, Liza said, “Mom wanted me to remind you not to rush things with Joelle before the wedding.”


    Rafael paused, a bit taken aback. “What do you mean?”


    “Intimate things.”


    Rafael coughed awkwardly. “You and Mom really should stop interfering. Joelle and I are capable of managing our own rtionship.”


    “We’re just looking out for you. Just think about it—what if you had a third child? How would you manage?”


    Rafael bristled slightly at the continued prying. “I understand.”


    After seeing Liza off, Rafael returned to find Joelle pulling him back into the room. “Don’t you think Liza’s behavior has been oddtely?”


    “What do you mean?” Rafael responded, puzzled.


    “Today, when I got home, I found Liza in our bedroom. She imed she was looking for a toy Aurora had lost. But when I asked Aurora about it, she said there was no missing toy at all!”


    Rafael paused, considering the situation. “Are you certain Aurora isn’t just making that up?”


    Joelle’s expression tightened. “Rafael, she’s my daughter. I understand her well enough to know when she’s being truthful.”


    Rafael offered a sheepish smile, trying to ease the tension. “I’m not questioning Aurora’s behavior. It’s just that children sometimes lie for amusement.”


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