Return, My Love: Wooing the Neglected Ex-Wife

Chapter 92:

“What’s wrong with you?” Adrian asked.

Joelle clutched her stomach, trying to deflect his concern. “I have a stomachache.”

Adrian assumed it was her period. He laid her on the bed, admonishing, “Then stay put. Why are you moving around so much? Are you a child? You should know better.”

Joelle, overwhelmed by her nerves, barely registered his words. Her primary concern was that Adrian might discover her pregnancy. She feared how it might change his view of her, not wanting their relationship to hinge on her being pregnant. She was determined to show that their marriage could improve regardless.

Adrian pulled the blanket over them and lay down beside her. Lost in her thoughts, Joelle eventually drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, she awoke to find Adrian gone. Leah brought her some soup. “Mrs. Miller, Mr. Miller said you were unwell, so you don’t need to go to work for a few days. He’s arranged for your leave at the agency.” Joelle nearly choked on her soup. “Who gave him the right to meddle with my job?”

She had planned to take leave for a hospital stay already but didn’t appreciate his unsolicited involvement in her professional affairs.

“Maybe you should call him and discuss it?” Leah suggested.

Without a second thought, Joelle dialed Adrian. As soon as he answered, she didn’t mince words. “Adrian, you have no right to arrange leave on my behalf!”

Adrian’s response was icy. “If you don’t want me to take over the agency, you’d better rethink how you speak to me.”

Joelle steadied herself, trying to temper her frustration. It was important to know Adrian’s stance. “Adrian, remember our agreement. I moved back in on the condition that you stay out of my professional life. Please, don’t arrange leave for me again. I despise your meddling.”

Adrian was in a meeting, and the room turned much colder. The attendees avoided eye contact, sensing Adrian’s mounting irritation. They were clueless about who was on the other end of the call, but it was clear the conversation wasn’t going well.

Phone in hand, Adrian exited the meeting room silently. He had thought Joelle needed rest, assuming her discomfort was due to her menstrual cycle. In the past, she had been vocal about her needs during this time, often asking him for small comforts like warming her water or massaging her stomach. Now, when he proactively showed concern, he was met with censure.

“As your husband, I’m not supposed to care about your well-being? Then who should? Rafael?”

Joelle’s brow furrowed. “Why bring up Rafael again?”

“Don’t play dumb, Joelle. Didn’t you know the Romero family owns the agency?”

Joelle was taken aback. “What did you say?”noveldrama

Adrian stood in the corridor, his voice even and cool. “He secured that position for you, right across from his hospital. So, what is it really about? Work or daily dates?”

“What did you say? Rafael’s family owns the agency?” A cold smirk crossed Adrian’s face. “Yeah. Keep pretending. Do you really think I’m that naive?”

Adrian interrupted her coldly. “Since you’re so eager to work during your period, it must be important—or someone must be.” Joelle was left speechless.

“Go ahead then. After all, our marriage is nothing but a facade. I feel nothing for you, and frankly, I don’t care whom you meet every day.”

The word “facade” stung Joelle deeply. In Adrian’s view, their union was just a sham. He was oblivious to the fact that she had given her heart and soul to the marriage during the first three years.

Fury simmered in Adrian. He was well aware of Joelle’s devotion in those early years but refused to acknowledge it now. To him, her affection for Rafael overshadowed her commitments to their marriage.

Joelle gathered herself, her voice steady, her resolve clear, especially now with the pregnancy. She needed to avoid stress over trivial matters.

“Fine. You have your affairs, so why shouldn’t I work for Rafael? But let me be clear, Adrian. Unlike you, I have my principles. I have never betrayed you since our marriage began! If you’re so convinced you’re right, then by all means, continue. I’m done arguing.”

With that, she ended the call abruptly, turned, and walked upstairs, hand on her belly.

Leah, having overheard the conversation, shook her head. She knew Joelle was dealing with menstrual discomfort and mood swings. Couldn’t Adrian have been more supportive? Joelle really ought to divorce him!

Back in her bedroom, Joelle considered calling Kiera but paused, a realization dawning on her. Kiera had secured her the job, and coincidentally, it was with a company owned by the Romero family. She exhaled a weary sigh, piecing together that Rafael had likely been assisting her behind the scenes.

Why was he going out of his way for her? As she pondered this, she hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary before. Lost in thought, she was startled by her phone ringing. It was Rafael, his voice filled with concern. “You’re not at the hospital?”

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