?<strong>Chapter 378:</strong>


    She picked up her phone, her thumb hovering over his name. But instead of calling him back, she scrolled aimlessly through her contacts.


    One of her friends had just ended a rtionship and had even asked her to introduce her to someone new just a few days ago.


    The day Michael and Lacey were discharged from the hospital, their family and friends gathered to celebrate. There was no hesitation, no seeking approval—they were each other’s choice for life.


    Though the whirlwind of the wedding and the subsequent trip had been tiring, Lacey drank in the scenery at every turn, each moment a delicate imprint she wanted to leave on Michael in her final days.


    As they left Illerith behind, Joelle felt like the city itself had shifted into autumn, its warmth slowly ebbing. The bond between the Miller and Finch families deepened as their children grew closer.


    Joelle often heard gossip from elite circles through Gracie.


    “Joelle, did you hear? Liza lost her baby.”


    Few knew how Liza got pregnant.


    The Romero family had chosen not to share it widely since the baby’s parents were considered siblings.


    Rumors about the baby’s father circted widely. Joelle had not anticipated that, amidst these rumors, Liza would endure a miscarriage.


    “Joelle?”


    Gracie’s gentle nudge snapped Joelle out of her thoughts.


    She resumed tuning her violin.


    “What happened next?”


    Gracie’s voice was low as she said, “I heard she almost lost her life. Belle wept for a long time. It was not easy for her to conceive, and it might be challenging for her to do so again.”


    Joelle listened but didn’tment on it.


    Gracie suggested, “Should we go see her, since we used to hang out together?”


    She didn’t know about the tension between Joelle and the Romero family. Her suggestion came purely from herpassion for Liza.


    Joelle was sure neither Liza nor Belle would be eager to see her.


    “I’ll just skip it.”


    Visiting Liza hadn’t been on Joelle’s agenda, nor did she anticipate a visit from Liza herself.


    Dayster, Joelle and Adrian were picking up Aurora from kindergarten.


    There stood Liza, a mere ghost of what she once was, standing quietly apart. Amid the hustle, her weak and pale appearance was striking.


    Quickly, Joelle shielded Aurora’s eyes and hurried her into the car.


    Liza moved towards them slowly, her presence ominous. Adrian’s eyes swept over her, vignt for any sign of danger.


    However, she carried nothing, her attire light and devoid of pockets, as though she might be swept away by the next breeze.


    “You look so content.”


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