?<strong>Chapter 321:</strong>


    Now that Joelle was approaching thirty, voicing such feelings seemed somewhat overly sentimental.


    Adrian stared at her, his expression one of sheer disbelief. It took him a moment to grasp what Joelle had just confessed.


    “Joelle?” His voice quivered with a mix of excitement and confusion. At over thirty years old, he had never been so overwhelmed with emotion.


    Fearing he might be dreaming, he gripped her arm tightly, his expression betraying his inner turmoil.


    “What did you just say? Haven’t you always had feelings for Rafael?”


    “I’ve always had feelings for you.”


    Joelle looked at him firmly, though Adrian felt as if she was looking beyond him, connecting with a version of him from the past.


    “Why would you think I liked Rafael? If I did, why would I have married you?”


    That thought struck Adrian hard.


    He had simply assumed Joelle was in love with Rafael.


    When had he started to believe Joelle and Rafael were a couple? It seemed to stem from the time after Austin’s ident when he discovered Rafael’s feelings for Joelle.


    How much did Rafael care for her?


    So much that he always made sure Joelle got home safely first, even if it meant going out of his way.


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    Rafael’s feelings for Joelle were so evident that all their friends noticed.


    Adrian had maintained a gentleman’s code; if a friend liked someone, he would not pursue her.


    Naturally, Joelle would appreciate someone like Rafael. Rafael had been the charming, thoughtful one since they were kids.


    If Joelle didn’t have feelings for Rafael, then why would she blush so often around them?


    But reflecting on it now, Adrian realized that whenever Joelle interacted with Rafael, he was also present.


    He had always seen himself as just an onlooker, but now he realized he had been the focal point all along.


    “Are you serious?” Adrian’s voice was tight with emotion. “I’m sorry, Joelle. I’m so sorry!”


    He regretted hurting Joelle and recognizing her feelings toote.


    Regretful that his attempts to make amends only seemed to increase his debt to her.


    He embraced her tightly and said, “Joelle, from now on, I’ll make sure I treat you right. I won’t let you down again!”


    Joelle hadn’t anticipated such an intense disy of emotion from Adrian. She had been on the verge of tears herself, but now it was Adrian who seemed more affected.


    “Shouldn’t we first figure out how to save the kids?”


    “Fred said they’re safe.”


    “But we still need to check on them. Didn’t you hear how upset Aurora was?”


    Adrian released her, his gaze intense and filled with renewed purpose.


    Joelle braced herself emotionally. She closed her eyes, ready for whatever came next.


    But Adrian said, “I would never take advantage of your vulnerability or invade your privacy.”


    Joelle’s eyes snapped open in surprise, and suddenly, Adrian cradled the back of her head and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. It was gentle, just a fleeting brush, like a feather lightly touching her lips.


    The sensation sent a flutter through her heart, like a feather gently touching it.


    “Joelle, we’ve missed too many opportunities already. Let’s take it step by step this time—from dating right through to marriage, without missing a beat.”


    This deration left Joelle astounded. “Adrian, are you sure about what you’re saying?”


    “Absolutely.”


    “Are you sure you’re in your right mind?” she asked, half-jokingly considering whether to check his temperature to see if he was delirious.


    He had once despised being around her so much he’d avoiding home, and now here he was, making such profound derations, possibly just for the sake of Aurora.


    “I’m clear-headed.” Adrian took her hand and pressed it against his chest, his voice resonating with earnestness. “I’ve never been more certain. I like you, Joelle. Not because I feel obligated, not because you’re the mother of my child, and not just because I’ve learned of your longstanding feelings for me. I like you—for your kindness, your grace, your brilliance on stage, your integrity, and your courageous, sincere heart.”


    “Stop,” Joelle interjected, overwhelmed by his words.


    “Let’s discuss this further once we’re out,” Adrian said as he picked up a chair. “Joelle, block your ears.”


    Joelle did as he asked, and Adrian mmed the chair against the doors, the impact echoing loudly around them.


    He continued to batter the doors until the lock gave way and the doors parted slightly, held together only by an iron chain. Discarding the chair, Adrian began to pull at the chain with raw determination.


    His efforts were so intense that his arm was visibly strained through the narrow gap, yet he showed no sign of pain. Joelle watched as his face flushed with the exertion, his pulls growing more forceful.


    Eventually, he tore the chain apart with his bare hands, though his fists were bleeding profusely by then.


    “Adrian!”


    Adrian clenched his teeth against the pain. “It’s alright, let’s go check on the kids first.”


    Joelle hurried to fetch a towel from the bathroom and wrapped it around his hand. The towel quickly turned crimson with his blood.


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