?<strong>Chapter 246:</strong>


    Rafael was deeply worried about his parents giving Joelle a hard time.


    “Joelle, have my parents said anything odd to you?” he asked.


    “Not at all. What could they even say?”


    Rafael hesitated. “They didn’t make things difficult for you, did they?”


    “What kind of question is that?” Joelle chuckled, brushing off his concern. “Why would they make things difficult for me? I’m charming, gentle, and I brought two adorable little treasures with me.”


    Despite her lightheartedness, Rafael wasn’t convinced. “I’lle get you now.”


    Joelle nced at the clock and realized the hour was indeedte. “Alright, see you soon.”


    After ending the call, she turned, only to find herself face-to-face with Liza, who was descending the stairs. They shared a quick smile before Liza broke the silence.


    “Joelle, could you help me with something?”


    “Sure, what’s up?”


    Liza produced a jade bracelet from her pocket, holding it out with a casual gesture. “A friend gave this to me. I was hoping you could tell me if it’s worth anything.” Joelle smiled, though a touch of amusement crossed her features. “Liza, you’re asking the wrong person. I don’t know much about jewelry.”


    “It’s fine, just take a look.” Liza gently tugged Joelle into the living room, where Aurora and Rnd were deeply engrossed in their toy cars.


    They sat down, and Joelle tilted the bracelet under the chandelier’s glow, examining it as best she could. While she wasn’t an expert, she had seen enough high-end pieces in her social circles to recognize the difference between quality and mediocrity.


    And that was one inferior piece.


    “Liza, where did you get this?”


    Liza let out a sigh. “It’s from my ex-husband.”


    Joelle handed the bracelet back with a sympathetic smile. “Honestly, it doesn’t seem to be worth much. He might’ve been swindled.”


    “Maybe he wasn’t tricked at all. Maybe he knew exactly what he was giving me—a cheap bracelet for someone he didn’t value.”


    Joelle gently ced a hand on Liza’s. “Don’t dwell on it too much. The past is behind you, and trust me, you’re going to find someone who treats you the way you deserve.”


    “I hope so.”


    Aurora, catching sight of the bracelet, bounded over. “Can I wear that for a bit?”


    “Of course, sweetheart.”


    Since the bracelet wasn’t worth much, no one was particrly worried about it. As the conversation continued, Aurora proudly disyed her new essory to Rnd.


    But momentster, a sharp crack echoed through the room. Joelle shot up from her seat, her heart leaping into her throat. She rushed to the children, quickly taking them away from the potentially dangerous shards.


    Hearing themotion, Belle emerged from another room. “What happened here?”


    Liza’s face went pale. “Mom, the bracelet… It broke!”


    “How did that happen?”


    Joelle, with anxiety, turned to Aurora, asking if she was okay.


    Aurora shook her head. “Mom, I broke the bracelet by mistake. I’m sorry!”


    “It’s okay, love. I’ll make it right with Liza, don’t worry. I’ll get her something even better.”


    Belle, her face twisted with fury, pped Joelle hard across the face.


    The p echoed through the room, leaving both Joelle and Aurora frozen in shock. Aurora’s lips quivered, and within seconds, she burst into tears.


    Joelle, hand against her stinging cheek, slowly rose to her feet. “Belle, what did I do to deserve this?”


    Belle’s fury wasn’t just about the bracelet; it was the weight of its sentiment, its history, and Joelle’s seemingly casual offer to rece it that left her speechless with anger.


    “Get out! I don’t need a daughter-inw like you!” Joelle was shoved backward, nearly stumbling as she tried to keep her bnce, her children clinging to her. Her mind reeled, still grappling with the shock of Belle’s actions.


    Summoning her strength, Joelle grabbed Belle’s wrist. “Belle, I’ve always respected you as Rafael’s mother, but I’m a mother too. You pped me in front of my children. Did you even stop to think about the damage that could cause them? I don’t understand what I’ve done to wrong you, but this? This was uncalled for!”


    Joelle’s unwavering stance only seemed to fan the mes of Belle’s anger. Belle’s chest heaved, her hand clutching at her heart, struggling to catch her breath. “How dare you speak to me like this? You don’t even know—”


    “Mom!” Liza rushed in, her hands hovering protectively over Belle. “Let’s go to your room. I’ll get your medicine.”


    About ten minutester, Rafael arrived.


    Aurora clung to his leg, tears streaming down her face. “Daddy, Grandma hit Mommy!”


    Rafael’s worst fears were realized in an instant. He rushed to Joelle’s side. “Joelle?”


    Joelle, never having faced such treatment before, looked away, her eyes red with unshed tears. The clear imprint of a hand was evident on her face.


    Without uttering a word, Rafael grabbed Joelle’s wrist and told her, “Let’s go. I need to get an exnation!” He stormed into Belle’s room, where she had just taken her medication and was now resting.


    Liza tried to block him, saying, “Mom is resting. Stop making a scene.”


    “Making a scene? Why did she hit Joelle?”


    Liza hesitated before speaking. “This is partly my fault. I’m sorry, Joelle.”


    Rafael frowned. “What do you mean?”


    “Mom asked me to give Joelle the bracelet Grandma passed down. I was hesitant to give it to her, fearing it might make her ufortable. So, I showed her the one my ex-husband gave me first, nning to surprise herter. Aurora identally broke that one, and Mom thought… She just acted on impulse! Joelle, please don’t take it personally!”


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