?<strong>Chapter 245:</strong>


    Today, Rafael wasn’t home, as he had gone to a reunion with his friends. Joelle stayed behind, tending to the kids.


    Aurora, in her usual burst of energy, had drawn a family portrait and sprinted to Joelle, eager to share it.


    “Look, Mommy! This is Daddy, and you, this is my little brother, that’s Uncle, these are Grandma and Grandpa, and this is Auntie…”


    Her excitement, however, quickly faded, and her lips curved into a pout. “Mommy, I miss Grandma.”


    It dawned on Joelle then how long it had been since they’d visited Belle. Joelle pinched Aurora’s cheek yfully. “How about we visit Grandma today?” Joelle leaned over to grab her phone from the couch. “Let’s give Grandma a heads-up first.”


    The call to Belle connected almost instantly. Before Joelle could get a word in, Aurora snatched the phone with the speed of a small whirlwind.


    “Grandma!” she squealed.


    Whatever hesitation or annoyance Belle could have felt about Joelle calling vanished the moment she heard Aurora’s sweet, lively voice.


    “Aurora, my love! Do you miss Grandma?”


    “Yes, Grandma! My brother and I want toe see you!”


    “Of course, dear! Grandma will make all sorts of yummy food for you!”


    “Yay! Grandma, you’re the best! Wait for me, okay? I’m bringing you a present!”


    Watching Aurora talk like a little grown-up, Joelle couldn’t help but smile. She put the phone on speaker. “Belle, we’ll be over soon with Aurora and Rnd.”


    Belle’s cheerful tone faltered just slightly. “Alright.”


    As soon as the call ended, Joelle began packing a few things for the kids. Meanwhile, Belle tossed her phone aside, the earlier warmth fading from her face.


    Humphrey, engrossed in his book, didn’t bother looking up, though he could sense her mood shift. “What’s the matter?”


    “Joelle’s bringing Aurora and Rnd over.”


    Humphrey remained nonchnt. “Is Rafaeling?”


    “No.”


    Humphrey grew silent, his expression hardening as the words on the page blurred. He simply couldn’t bring himself to continue reading.


    Belle, her frustration evident, couldn’t hold back. “It feels like we raised a son just to have him snatched away by someone else. He gets married, and suddenly, we’re a distant memory. If Joelle had any sense, she’d be telling Rafael toe home more often!”


    “Let it go.” Humphrey sighed. “You wanted grandkids around, didn’t you? Joelle’s from the Watson family. Before Austin’s ident, she was the apple of their eye. Did you expect her to wait on you hand and foot?”


    Belle’s lips clenched. “Our own daughter is better! She’s respectful, always listens. I don’t even want her getting married and leaving us!”


    “That’s enough!” Humphrey said, rising to his feet, his tone firm. “As long as Rafael and Joelle are happy, that’s what matters. And you should watch your mouth.”


    When Joelle arrived, the entire Romero family came out to greet her. But while she struggled with the bags and gifts, no one offered a hand. Everyone was too busy fawning over the children, leaving Joelle to juggle everything herself.


    After she finished, Liza finally walked over. “Joelle, why did you bring so many things? There’s no need for all this. You should feel at home here.”


    Joelle, aware of Liza’s history with her previous marriage, had grown more patient with her. “Sure, I’ll keep that in mind.”


    Dinner with the Romero family was unusually lively—likely because of the kids. It had been a long time since the house felt so full of life.


    Belle, who didn’t want to y the part of a wicked mother-inw, kept her thoughts in check. As long as Joelle treated the children well and showed her respect, Belle could overlook her diforts.


    After dinner, Belle called Liza into her room. From a drawer, she retrieved a jade bracelet, carefully preserved over the years.


    “Liza, give this to Joelle for me.”


    Liza’s eyes widened. “Mom, this is the bracelet Grandma gave you when you married into the family!” It wasn’t just an essory; it was a family heirloom. The jade itself was valuable, but what mattered more was the sentiment—it represented Humphrey’s mother’s blessing for Belle.


    And now, Belle was ready to pass it on to Joelle, a clear sign of her approval.


    “It’s just a bracelet,” Belle said. “If Joelle and Rafael can have a good life together, I’ll feel at peace.”


    “Mom, you’re being really kind to Joelle!”


    Belle waved her off. “Go on, give it to her. I’m too awkward to do it myself.”


    “Alright,” Liza replied. “I’ll take care of it.”


    Across the room, Humphrey, half-hidden behind his newspaper, couldn’t resist ament. “Weren’t you just saying you regretted agreeing to their marriage a few days ago?”


    “Tsk!” Belle shot him an annoyed look. “She brings the kids to see me, doesn’t she? That proves she’s got a good heart!”


    Meanwhile, downstairs, Joelle was on the phone with Rafael.


    “Rafael, are you done with your meeting?”


    “Yeah. Where are you? Why aren’t you and the kids home?”


    “We’re at your parents’ house. Aurora missed her grandma, so I thought we’d stop by.”


    Rafael stiffened. Joelle was unaware of the undercurrent of tension between Rafael and his parents over her.


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