?<strong>Chapter 256:</strong>


    Since that day, Joelle had sensed something was off with Rafael. He would often lock himself in the study, looking absent-minded even while spending time with their children. Joelle would jokingly ask, “Are you hiding something from me?” But no matter how much she pressed, Rafael kept his silence. This left Joelle increasingly anxious.


    Her worry deepened when he avoided any talk about his family. One day, she inquired, “Rafael, why haven’t you visited your familytely?” He simply replied, “Joelle, stop asking. I just need some peace.” But “peace” seemed to besting a dreadfully long time. What could be so serious that Rafael felt he couldn’t discuss it with his own wife?


    “Rafael, did something happen the night you unexpectedly returned home?” Joelle asked.


    “I’ve told you to stop prying!”


    Rafael’s sharp response was uncharacteristic. This was the harshest tone Joelle had ever heard from him, leaving her stunned for a moment. But Rafael quickly softened, saying, “I’m sorry, Joelle. I’ve been in a bad mood. Please, let’s not bring up my family again.”


    Joelle reluctantly let the matter rest, and life carried on as usual. However, she couldn’t shake a growing sense of unease. She was certain Rafael was hiding something important from her. His new habit of locking himself in his studyte at night only added to her suspicions.


    With Rafael refusing to say anything, Joelle continued to feel lost. One weekend, they received an unexpected visitor. Joelle opened the door to find Liza standing there. “Liza?” Her mood lifted instantly, having not seen anyone from the Romero family in weeks. Maybe now she could uncover what was troubling Rafael.


    “Joelle.” Liza seemed slightly ufortable. “Is Rafael around?” Just as Joelle was about to mention that Rafael was in the study, she turned to see him standing on the second floor, watching them with an unreadable expression.


    “Rafael,” Liza greeted, a forced smile on her face. Rafael didn’t smile back; instead, he turned to Joelle and instructed, “Joelle, I need to have a private talk with my sister. Please don’te into the study.” Joelle, puzzled by the exchange, nodded to Liza. Liza then ascended the stairs.


    Once inside the study, she deliberately left the door slightly open. Rafael, preupied with the bookshelf, didn’t notice. “What do you want?”


    Liza responded with a hint of sorrow, “Rafael, I’m really sorry, and so are Mom and Dad.”


    “If this is about that incident, I don’t want to hear it. I’d rather act as if it never happened. I’m not returning to that house.”


    Liza moved around the table to face Rafael. “Rafael, I’m truly sorry. Mom and Dad put so much pressure on me. I had no choice…”


    “Liza.” Once again, Rafael interrupted her. “So you couldn’t refuse them? Not even once?”


    Liza bit her lip and lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “Rafael, I’m not strong-willed. After my divorce, I considered you guys the most important people in my life. I couldn’t bear to reject Mom and Dad’s request.” Her confession resonated painfully with Rafael.


    Overwhelmed by guilt and frustration, Rafael punched the bookshelf. Liza reached out tofort him, but he pulled back. “Don’t touch me!”


    Startled, Liza staggered back, instinctively clutching her abdomen. Rafael noticed her gesture. It was like a ticking time bomb had been ignited in his head. “Why are you holding your stomach?”


    “It’s nothing,” Liza murmured, stepping back further. “If it’s really nothing, then why are you holding your stomach?”


    “It truly is nothing!”


    Before Liza could step away, Rafael quickly grabbed her purse, pulling out a hospital report. It confirmed Liza was four weeks pregnant.


    Rafael’s mind went nk. He braced himself against the table for support. “Is it mine?”


    Through her tears, Liza replied, “Rafael, don’t worry, I won’tplicate your life. I’ll take care of it. It won’t affect you and Joelle.”


    Rafael buried his face in his hands, wishing he could wake from this nightmare.


    Unseen in the doorway, Joelle sped her hand over her mouth and went downstairs. Only when she was sure she was alone did she let herself take a deep breath, tears blurring her vision.


    Rafael and Liza… She had never imagined something like this. A baby. They were having a baby. Why had Rafael kept this from her? So, this was what had been troubling Rafael all this time. Joelle felt as if her heart might burst from the shock. The secret was just too big.


    Despite her efforts to steady herself, she struggled to find a way to handle the news. Eventually, Liza emerged from the study. Before she left, she made a point to speak to Joelle. “Joelle, you shoulde by and visit. Mom and Dad miss you.”


    Joelle was taken aback that Liza could still offer a smile. She nodded, and once Liza had departed, she hurried upstairs.


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