Return, My Love: Wooing the Neglected Ex-Wife

Chapter 119:

“No, stop it!”

Joelle’s plea echoed against the wall, her skirt hitched up. Adrian leaned in close, his breath warm on her neck.

“Stop what?”

Her legs weakened as Joelle whispered, “Not here…” Impatience colored Adrian’s tone. He had waited too long.

He tightened his hold on her waist, murmuring into her ear, “Didn’t this used to excite you?”

Adrian, the epitome of restraint in public, often revealed a more unrestrained side in private.

Joelle shivered, pulling her neck away. “I don’t want to!” She attempted to straighten her clothes, but her strength was no match for Adrian’s.

As despair nearly took hold, her thoughts teetered on the brink of surrender.

Just then, a relentless ringtone cut through the tension, refusing to be ignored. Irritation flashed across Adrian’s face as he wrapped a towel around himself and stormed out.

Joelle collapsed against the cool marble, her hair clinging to her damp face in the humid air. Adrian answered the phone. It was Erick.

“Mr. Miller, I’m sorry to disturb you! Something’s happened to Rebecca—she’s been taken to surgery. The doctor suggested we might have to stop treatment, and I don’t know what to do!” His voice was choked with sobs.

Adrian, ever the pillar of calm, responded smoothly, “I’ll be right at the hospital.”

“What if Rebecca doesn’t make it this time?” Erick’s voice broke with despair.

“She won’t die. I’ll make sure of it.”

Joelle appeared just as Adrian spoke these firm words. Clutching her arm, she felt drained. “Go change your clothes; I’ll call the driver to take you.”

Though she urged him to go, a deep, unexplainable sadness weighed on her heart.

The man she had loved deeply for eight years could still ignite her emotions with ease and yet was easily called away by another woman.

Turning to leave, she was stopped by Adrian’s quick approach. Hindered by his unhealed leg, his steps faltered near her.

“Wait for me at home,” he said, steadying himself.

Enveloped in Adrian’s arms, Joelle rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. Yet, she knew his heart raced for someone else.

“Mm. I’ll wait for you,” she murmured, her voice hollow. As she closed her eyes, she breathed in his scent, a poignant reminder of their tangled lives. “Adrian, this is the last time I’ll wait for you,” she told herself in her mind.

By the time Adrian arrived at the hospital, Rebecca had been wheeled out of the surgery room.

Her face was pale and gaunt, as delicate as a dried leaf, her eyes shut.

Erick, his face darkened with grief, wiped away tears with the back of his hand.

“The doctor said Rebecca is out of danger, but it will take some time for her to wake up.”

Adrian observed Rebecca quietly, someone else’s face appearing in his head.

“Now that she’s stable, I’ll take my leave.”

Erick hesitated. “The doctor mentioned Rebecca should wake up in the next few days. Could you stay? It would mean a lot for her to see you when she opens her eyes.”

Adrian glanced at his watch. He had made a promise to return to Joelle and was intent on keeping it.

“Call me when she wakes,” he said.

As Adrian turned to leave, Erick dropped to his knees beside Rebecca’s bed.

“It’s all my fault. I’ve failed to protect you! You’ve endured so much, Rebecca…”

Erick caught Adrian pausing to listen and continued, his voice breaking. “If I lose you, what’s left for me? How can I face our father and brother? If they were still here, they would never have allowed this suffering. It’s all my fault! I’m useless!”

Hearing this, Adrian turned back sharply. “Have you said enough?”noveldrama

His gaze fixed on Erick, kneeling and distraught, fully aware of the manipulation lacing his desperate words.

Erick wiped his tears, struggling to his feet. “Don’t misunderstand, Mr. Miller. I’m just worried about Rebecca.”

Adrian’s face was expressionless, tinged with impatience. “I’ll stay and watch over her. You can leave.”

Erick masked his satisfaction poorly. “How can I accept such generosity? You have your responsibilities, not to mention a wife at home…”

Adrian’s gaze cut sharply through him. “That’s none of your concern.”

With multiple apologies, Erick hastily exited the room, bowing excessively.

Inside, Adrian settled on the sofa, his gaze locked on his phone before he dialed Joelle. “I won’t be coming home tonight.”

“Okay, then I won’t wait up. I’m going to bed,” Joelle replied, her tone nonchalant, seemingly detached.

Adrian bristled at her indifference, feeling an urge to confront. “Have you finally given up playing the loyal wife after three years?”

Joelle, about to end the call, paused, stung and confused by his accusation. “I’m making things easier for you and Rebecca, and now I’m at fault?”

Adrian’s response was icy. “You’re doing this for yourself, and Rafael!”

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