Return, My Love: Wooing the Neglected Ex-Wife

Chapter 76:

Adrian interjected, “It’s just a name. If Joelle can use it, why can’t Rebecca?”

Rafael turned to him and replied, “Some names hold a special place. Only one person is meant to use it. If someone else uses it, it isn’t that special anymore.” Joelle’s wrist, clasped in Rafael’s, warmed slightly from the heat of his touch, leaving her momentarily disoriented.

Adrian scoffed, “You think Joelle is special to you? Don’t forget she’s my wife.”

Rafael glanced at Rebecca and retorted, “Then you shouldn’t forget whose husband you are.” Joelle felt nothing as she stood there. Even the sight of Adrian and Rebecca together numbed her beyond the initial sting of sorrow. Her curiosity about Adrian’s kindness towards Rebecca had faded, just as she had deleted Twitter from her phone. True detachment came not from anger but from indifference.

“Rafael, let’s leave,” she said, her voice devoid of emotion, unwilling to linger any longer.

“Okay.”

As they turned to leave, Adrian’s voice cut through the air sharply. “Joelle, come here.”

Joelle turned with a radiant smile. “I’m sorry, but I’m on a date.”

With those words, she walked away, leaving Adrian to stare after her.

Rebecca watched Adrian’s face, gauging his reaction. Even as Joelle moved further away, Rebecca remained silent, wary of speaking out of turn.

“Why did you say they were dating?” Adrian asked, his posture stiff as he gazed into the distance. The evening’s orange glow highlighted his features, casting his face in sharp relief against the encroaching shadows.

Rebecca, caught up in the striking image he presented, barely caught his words. “What?”

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Adrian’s gaze, heavy with an unspoken weight, turned towards her. “Don’t you remember that Joelle and I are married?”

At this, Rebecca’s legs wobbled, and she shook her head apologetically. “I’m sorry, Adie. My mind slipped—I forgot.”

“You really should get that checked,” Adrian said sharply. Rebecca held her breath, her voice trembling. “Adie, are you upset with me?”

Adrian’s mind flashed back to Rafael’s assertion about the sanctity of certain names. It was Joelle who first called him Adie. When had he permitted Rebecca to do the same?

“Adie?” Rebecca reached for his sleeve.

Adrian briskly withdrew his arm. “Don’t call me that again.”

His thoughts then turned to Joelle—the woman who had coerced him into marriage, sought a divorce, fled their home, and was now apparently seeing Rafael.

Rebecca’s face drained of color as tears welled up in her eyes. “Then what should I call you? Adie…”

A stern glance from Adrian silenced her immediately. Rebecca lowered her head, her voice breaking as she sobbed. “My brothers always said you were a dependable man, like family.”noveldrama

“Rebecca,” Adrian interjected coldly. “Even if your father were still alive, he would have to call me Mr. Miller.”

Rebecca, taken aback, hesitated and said, “Okay, Mr. Miller.”

Joelle and Rafael’s conversation flowed effortlessly as they walked to the bus stop where they parted ways. Upon returning home, Joelle found that Leah had already prepared dinner, featuring all of her favorite dishes.

She thought back to Katherine’s words, realizing she truly didn’t need to do anything. Shawn earned a substantial income, and she lived comfortably, spending her days in leisure as her husband seldom came home. Her mood uplifted, Joelle enjoyed her meal heartily. After savoring a bowl of soup, she asked Leah to serve her another.

Just then, the sound of an engine shutting off caught her attention. Peering outside, she saw Adrian arriving.

“Have you had dinner?”

Adrian’s gaze swept over the table laden with food. It struck him that in the past, Joelle would have prepared these meals and waited to eat with him. But today, despite his absence, she had begun eating without him. The thought lingered as he reflected on the change in their routine.

“Leah, from now on, no one eats until I return,” Adrian declared firmly.

Leah glanced at Joelle, then responded, “Mr. Miller, sometimes you don’t come home. What if Mrs. Miller gets hungry?”

Adrian, removing his tie and fixing his gaze on Joelle, replied, “To ensure my grandmother gets a great-grandchild soon, I’ll be home every day from now on.” Joelle’s heart sank at his words. She sensed her carefree days were drawing to a close.

After dinner, as she lay reading in bed, Adrian entered the room and plucked the book from her hands. “Were you enjoying your date?”

“What’s wrong with you, Adrian? Give me back my book!” Joelle demanded, standing to retrieve it.

Adrian held the book just out of reach. As she attempted to grab it, he pulled her close by the waist, their chests almost touching.

“I’m asking you about Rafael. Was it a good date?” Startled, Joelle pushed him away and tried to flee, but Adrian caught her wrist, pulling her back.

“Joelle, don’t forget the reason I asked you to come back.”

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