<strong>Chapter 420:</strong>


    Joelle was barely lucid, asionally opening her eyes only to gaze nkly at the ceiling, caught between wakefulness and dreams.


    “Mom!” Aurora took a seat beside the bed, gently holding Joelle’s pallid face in her small hands. “Mom, don’t be sad. I will always be here for you.”


    At the sound of Aurora’s voice, Joelle showed the first sign of life. She gently patted Aurora’s head and whispered, “Mommy’s okay.”


    Aurora, however, was skeptical. She knew that when adults said they were fine, it often meant the opposite.


    Unsure how to uplift Joelle, all Aurora could do was embrace her tightly and nt soothing kisses on her face. The silence in the room was profound, broken only by the sound of the wind outside.


    Suddenly, Joelle’s thoughts turned to Rnd, and her heart ached intensely. Tears quietly streamed down her cheeks once more, extinguishing the flicker of life that had briefly ignited within her.


    Later, after Aurora had fallen asleep beside Joelle, Adrian carefully carried the child to Leah. Aurora had been restless, often waking from nightmares and needingfort.


    When Adrian returned to check on Joelle, he found her sitting up for the first time in days. She looked frail, her hair disheveled, as she sorrowfully flipped through a photo album.


    Adrian sat beside her on the bed, draped her arm over his shoulders, and kissed her forehead gently. “Being like this won’t make Rnd happy.”


    Clutching the photo album to her chest, Joelle closed her eyes in despair. “I know, but I can’t help it. Adrian, I feel like such a failure.”


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    She reflected on the critical moments of her life andmented her poor choices. Now, unable to even protect her son, she questioned her reason to continue.


    “You’re not,” Adrian replied firmly. “Joelle, both Aurora and I need you. You have to pull yourself together, even if it’s just for us.”


    Leaning on him, drained, Joelle doubted her ability to start anew. Recovering was easier said than done. How could she possibly move on?


    How could she ever smile again?


    How could she pull herself together?


    With her son gone, how could Joelle find joy?


    Adrian tried to lift her spirits by massaging her, telling stories, and feeding her small bites. Yet, after a few mouthfuls, Joelle reclined again, sumbing to her despair.


    Adrian, too, was drained from caring for her.


    To brighten her mood, he booked a section of a resort by a tranquilke. They all needed a break, not just Joelle.


    They strolled by theke, their expressions somber, devoid ofughter or happiness. In the evening, they gathered around a bonfire and released skynterns, each one a silent prayer for Rnd.


    As Joelle watched thenterns ascend, she felt a brief relief from her aching longing, staring nkly as they floated into the night sky.


    Adrian adjusted the coat around her shoulders and, with a gentle smile, whispered, “Adrian, look at that star. It’s so bright.”


    Adrian wrapped his arms around her from behind. “That’s Rnd, watching over you from up there.”


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    Message from Noa: I hope you lovely people have enjoyed the chapters. God loves you and Noa wishes you the best. (?O?=)? ?


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