?<strong>Chapter 382:</strong>


    Given the recent turmoil, it made sense that Joelle was having such disturbing dreams.


    Adrian pulled her back into his arms, holding her close. “Don’t worry, it was just a bad dream.”


    Joelle gripped his shirt, and the more Adrian reassured her, the more overwhelmed she became.


    A streak of dawn light slipped through the curtains, and Adrian soothed her by rubbing her back as he watched her shake.


    After Joelle’s tears subsided, Adrian suggested, “Let’s go pick up the kids from the Finch family’s ce.” His suggestion resonated with Joelle.


    She had thought the same but hesitated, worried it was too early and might bother the Finch family.


    However, Adrian wasn’t bothered by such niceties; if Joelle wanted to see the children, he was ready to go for them at any hour.


    The morning was crisp. All four walked back from the Finch family’s home, chatting andughing together.


    As they walked, they encountered someone walking their dog, which Aurora and Rnd stopped to y with. Unexpectedly, the dog’s owner recognized Joelle and Adrian.


    Joelle remembered meeting the dog owner once before, right after her wedding to Adrian.


    “You two already have children, yet you still act like newlyweds. I’m so jealous.”


    Holding hands, Adrian and Joelle blushed at thement, caught off guard and unable to reply smoothly.


    Joelle had every intention of locking herself away in her studio for the entire day, but Katherine dragged her out in the afternoon.


    At a cafe, Katherine couldn’t sit still, her eyes darting around as if she was expecting someone.


    “Kathy, what exactly is going on? You’re jittery.”


    Katherine cleared her throat, cing her coffee cup down and straightening up.


    “Alright, here’s the thing—I introduced a girl to Shawn.”


    “What?” Joelle’s coffee almost went down the wrong pipe. She hadn’t expected Katherine to pull such a stunt, especially since she had been gossiping with Adrian about Katherine and Shawn not long ago.


    There was chemistry between Katherine and Shawn, and Joelle had been waiting for that inevitable spark to catch fire. But now? Katherine was setting Shawn up with someone else?


    Joelle dabbed her mouth, trying to gather her thoughts.


    “And why exactly am I here for this?”


    “Well, since your brother is being set up on a date, I figured you could give some advice. You know him better than anyone.”


    Katherine had a n in mind. By involving Joelle, she was effectively putting an end to any hopes Shawn might have had.


    Joelle was genuinely puzzled by what these two were up to.


    “Kathy, what’s going on between you and Shawn? Haven’t you noticed Shawn’s feelings?”


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