Return, My Love: Wooing the Neglected Ex-Wife

Chapter 2:

Joelle made up her mind—she wanted a divorce. There was no point in dragging this out any longer. After a moment of stunned silence, Katherine let out a shrill burst of laughter. “Are you going to get half of Adrian’s assets? Oh, my God! Joelle, you’re about to become a billionaire!”

“No, I can’t.” Joelle had signed an agreement when she and Adrian married. If they divorced, she would get nothing.

“Then why the hell are you divorcing? Just keep being his wife!”

Joelle recalled Adrian’s roughness the previous night and the humiliation that followed. She had been so naive, believing that her love for Adrian could help her endure any hardship. But now, looking back, she realized how foolish she had been.

Did suffering ever make Adrian love her more? The answer was no. A man who genuinely loved her would never let her suffer in the first place.

Joelle laughed at herself mockingly and changed the subject. “By the way, remember the favor I asked you last time?”

“Yes. I was going to tell you about that. You asked me to keep an eye out for a job, and I’ve got something for you. You’ll be teaching a student to play the violin, though I must say, it’ll be a waste of your talent.”

“That’s fine,” Joelle replied with a faint smile. “It’s not a waste at all. I’ve been a housewife for three years. Just having someone willing to hire me is enough.”

“How is it not a waste? You were so close to becoming a part of an international orchestra. If it weren’t for marrying that bastard…” Katherine trailed off, feeling indignant for her friend.

After getting married, Joelle wasn’t even allowed to work. These wealthy families clung to outdated rules. The whole situation was ridiculous.

Three years ago, Joelle’s violin career had been on the rise. However, the Miller family’s strict traditions forbade her from performing in public. On the very first day of her marriage, Adrian’s mother had told her, “You don’t need to work. Adrian will provide for you. Your job is to give birth to his babies and take care of your husband.”

Once her call with Katherine ended, Joelle went upstairs and retrieved her long-neglected violin from the study. This violin was a special gift from her father on her eighteenth birthday. Tragically, not long after she had received it, her father suffered a stroke and fell into a coma.

Her older brother had taken on the responsibility of supporting their family, allowing her to pursue her dreams of playing the violin without worries. As she reminisced about the past, Joelle drew the bow across the strings.

Years ago, an accident had injured her wrist, and she hadn’t played since. Now, as she played, sharp pain shot through her wrist, but she persisted, relying on muscle memory to play a short piece. In the end, she gave a bitter laugh. It sounded terrible.

Just then, she heard Leah’s voice at the door, filled with surprise and delight. “Sir, you’re back!”

Leah was secretly relieved to see Adrian. His returning home must mean he still cared for Joelle. Perhaps if Joelle said something kind, their relationship might improve.

Meanwhile, Joelle was surprised. Adrian rarely came home during the day. She had just set down her violin when the door swung open.

Adrian stood in the doorway, his tall frame imposing. With furrowed brows, his eyes swept over her. He remembered that Joelle had learned to play the violin as a child and had been praised for her talent by a renowned teacher. But for some reason, she had stopped playing.

Having listened from outside just now, he found her playing mediocre. Who would have praised her talent? Joelle glanced at him and lowered her head to place the violin back in its case. Then, in a low voice, she asked, “What brings you here? Is there anything you need?”

“I came to pick up something and remind you that we need to visit Grandma tomorrow,” Adrian replied in a cold tone. Visiting his grandmother at least once a month was a family rule. Tomorrow was the day. If not for this obligation, Adrian wouldn’t have returned at all. If he and Joelle didn’t show up together, Irene would be upset.

Joelle smiled bitterly. She remembered the Miller family rules better than Adrian and always adhered to them. Even Irene, stringent as ever, couldn’t find fault with her. “I haven’t forgotten. I’m relieved to know you haven’t either,” Joelle responded. Her tone carried a hint of accusation, making Adrian sneer.

For a moment, a simmering anger brewed within him. Without another word, he headed straight to the walk-in closet to look for something. Even though he rarely came home, Joelle still maintained his wardrobe meticulously—clothes washed, ironed, and neatly arranged.

Joelle felt her role was reduced to performing household chores, something Leah could also manage. Her only advantage, perhaps, was that she was younger and prettier than Leah. Her eyes followed Adrian’s movements. His ring finger was bare—the wedding ring nowhere to be seen. A sharp pang of pain shot through her heart.

“Adrian, let’s get a divorce,” Joelle suddenly said, her voice as soft as a breeze. Saying those words drained all her strength, yet she felt a strange relief wash over her.

Adrian turned around and stared at her with a mocking smile. “Think carefully before you speak. The Watson family is now on its last legs. Without my support, do you plan to sleep on the streets with your brother after the divorce?”

Since the Watson family’s downfall, Joelle had gone from being cherished to ridiculed. The Miller family despised her and looked down on her as if she and her brother were leeches they couldn’t shake off. Even her intimate moments with Adrian made her feel degraded, like a prostitute. But come to think of it, at least a prostitute could choose her clients.

Joelle bit her lip and straightened up. “I’ve already rented a place. Even if I ended up sleeping on the streets, that would be on me.” All she wanted was for Adrian to respect her, but three years of captivity had worn down her pride and dignity. “And where did you get the money to rent a place? If you wanted to be independent so badly, you shouldn’t have spent a single penny from the Miller family.”noveldrama

Adrian, with his back to Joelle, found the missing wedding ring in a gap and held it in his palm. Joelle didn’t notice. His words left her breathless. Yes, she had used her meager savings to rent the place. But since she was married to Adrian, wasn’t what was hers also his?

Besides, the financial support Adrian had given the Watson family over the years amounted to a significant sum. Joelle had always despised the idea of owing Adrian anything, yet her debt to him was the deepest. If they divorced, he would likely sever all financial support to the Watson family.

Was he suggesting she would have to exit the marriage empty-handed? As Adrian turned to leave, Joelle called out to him, her dignity barely intact. “I’m legally entitled to this marriage and have a rightful claim to what’s supposed to be mine. But don’t worry, I won’t ask for much—just enough to help the Watson Group get through this crisis.”

Adrian froze, his features sharpening. His lips formed a thin line, and his jaw clenched. These were clear signs of his brewing anger. Even though Joelle had mentally braced herself, she couldn’t withstand the intensity of his rage. Each moment under his stern gaze intensified her anxiety.

Just then, his phone rang. Adrian pulled it from his pocket and began to walk away. “Adrian!”

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