Return, My Love: Wooing the Neglected Ex-Wife

Chapter 48:

Joelle caught Adrian’s eye as he paused, a shoe in hand. Despite the tension, she maintained her smile. “Sloane, I am living a happy life. This might represent a different kind of fulfillment. My worth isn’t tied solely to performing on stage with my violin. Perhaps nurturing my family also showcases my value.”

Her words were a lie. Inside, Joelle crumbled under the weight of disappointment and worry reflected in Sloane’s eyes, unable to reconcile it with the past three years of misery. She yearned to leave Sloane with a belief that all was well, even though reality bit hard.

Sloane’s expression softened a fraction. “Is this the man you chose to marry?”

“Absolutely.”

“And do you love him?”

As Adrian approached, Joelle turned to him and affirmed, “Of course, I’ve loved him for years. Marrying him three years ago filled me with joy.”

Adrian halted, scrutinizing her face for a hint of truth or deception, but Joelle’s expression revealed nothing. Sloane remained skeptical, her doubts clear. She refrained from inviting them to stay for dinner.

Back in Adrian’s car, Joelle crumbled, tears streaking down her face as she gazed out the window. “Was that the truth earlier?” Adrian handed her a tissue.

Joelle pulled herself from her sorrow, her voice bitter. “Of course not. I said that just to appease her. Marrying you was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.”

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Her eyes locked with his, conveying the gravity of her regret. Joelle pondered her choices. Had she not married, even her wrist injury wouldn’t have left such a deep scar of disappointment in Sloane’s eyes. Without the bonds of marriage, she might have avoided a life marked by three years devoid of dignity and respect.

She wouldn’t have faced those endless, lonely nights, waiting hopelessly for something to change. She truly regretted it. Adrian sensed her profound regret and disappointment. His response was a cold, humorless smile. “What a coincidence, Joelle. I regret marrying you just as much.”

The remainder of the drive was enveloped in silence, each lost in their own thoughts of regret and missed opportunities. Adrian’s phone rang suddenly, Michael’s voice urgent on the other end. “We have a problem! Trouble with Lacey!”noveldrama

“What happened?” Adrian’s tone was tight with concern. In the background, Michael’s end buzzed with commotion, voices shouting Lacey’s name. Joelle had heard of Lacey Hudson before—the rebel girl of the Hudson family, recently in the news for her promise to care for her aging nanny.

“You better get over here! I really don’t know what to do!” Michael’s voice was frantic before the call abruptly ended, signaling the gravity of the situation. Joelle suggested, “Let’s go see her first. I’ve heard she has a hereditary heart condition.”

If Lacey was indeed suffering a heart attack, it was a serious matter. Adrian pressed the accelerator, speeding towards Lacey’s villa. Arriving at the darkened three-story building, Joelle stepped out of the car, her senses heightened as she cautiously moved towards the gate.

Adrian harbored doubts about Michael’s panicked call. If it were truly a heart attack, they would have called an ambulance. His suspicion seemed confirmed when, as Joelle advanced, all the lights in the house flicked on, the yard bursting into light.

People leapt from the shadows, yelling, “Surprise!” Joelle, caught off guard, instinctively clung to Adrian. However, she quickly regained her composure, stood up straight, and adjusted her hair.

Above them, on the second-floor balcony, Michael and Lacey appeared, the latter in a gown and white gloves, waving a toy wand. “This is your punishment for being late!” she declared. Adrian and Joelle had come abroad specifically for Lacey’s birthday celebration.

Joelle pieced together her role in the surprise. Adrian had never included her in his friends’ gatherings before. Even back home, it was as though he was a bachelor. No matter the occasion, Joelle was never his plus one.

“I’m leaving now,” she declared. Adrian grabbed her wrist, his gaze fixed on the second floor. “If you leave now, everyone will notice there’s trouble between us. I don’t want to face Grandma’s interrogations when we get back.”

“But—”

Adrian draped an arm around her shoulders, coaxing her. “Stay, try to enjoy yourself.” After the past three years, Joelle had already forgotten how to navigate these kinds of social settings with ease.

Adrian took Joelle in. Lacey, along with Michael, descended the stairs to greet them. Lacey smiled. “Adrian, aren’t you going to introduce her?”

“This is my wife, Joelle.”

It was not only Joelle’s first time meeting Lacey but also the first time Adrian had publicly acknowledged her as his wife. “Hello, I’m Lacey Hudson,” Lacey greeted her warmly. Joelle, drawing upon the etiquette drilled into her before her family’s fall from grace, responded with equal poise. The two women exchanged a brief hug.

“I heard from Michael about an emergency. Given your hereditary heart condition, are you alright now?” Joelle inquired earnestly. Lacey replied playfully, “That was just a ploy to bring Adrian here. But…” Her tone softened, and she gently squeezed Joelle’s fingers, leaning in to kiss the back of her hand. “Thank you for your concern. It means a lot.”

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