Return, My Love: Wooing the Neglected Ex-Wife

Chapter 124:

Stunned, Adrian shot up from his seat and grabbed Michael by the collar.

“What did you say? What baby? What trick?”

Michael gripped Adrian’s shoulders, trying to steady him. “Adrian, the baby Joelle was carrying was yours. I questioned Ned, and he admitted that Erick paid him off before he confessed. Erick was also the one who orchestrated the attack on Joelle.”

Adrian slowly turned his head, his expression darkening with a dangerous calm. His gaze bore an overwhelming intensity.

Rebecca, her face pale with panic, shook her head vehemently. “That’s impossible! No, it can’t be true! Adie, Erick would never do something like that!”

Adrian’s voice was icy. “Michael wouldn’t lie to me about this.”

He trusted Michael implicitly and understood why Joelle had chosen Michael to break the news to him. Had it been Joelle herself, Adrian might have doubted her, but Michael’s words were beyond question.

Tears streamed down Rebecca’s face as she collapsed to her knees, pleading, “Adie, please! Erick made a mistake; he wasn’t thinking clearly!”

Adrian’s grip tightened around her throat as he gave a cold smile. “So, you knew all along.”

“I…” Rebecca’s voice trembled as she spoke, her expression one of genuine pain. “I tried to convince him to turn himself in, Adrian, I swear. But he wouldn’t listen to me. I’m sorry. I never meant to keep it from you.”

Adrian released his hold on her, his expression hardening further as he yanked Erick up from the floor. Erick couldn’t bring himself to meet Adrian’s gaze. “Mr. Miller, I was wrong. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“You weren’t thinking clearly?” Adrian’s grip tightened, making Erick feel like his scalp was being torn apart. “You wanted to destroy Joelle so Rebecca could have me, is that it? You weren’t thinking straight? Erick, you killed my baby. You must have been planning this for a long time.”

“I…” Erick stammered, but before he could finish, a dull thud echoed through the room.

Adrian lifted Erick with one hand and slammed him hard against the floor.

Rebecca let out a scream but quickly covered her mouth, too terrified to make another sound.

Realizing she had to protect herself, she knew she needed to distance herself from the situation, but Erick couldn’t escape his fate.

In a blind fury, Adrian grabbed anything he could find and hurled it at Erick, as if trying to make him pay with his life for what he had done.

Adrian’s eyes were bloodshot, his entire body radiating a deadly intent.

Joelle watched in silence, her thoughts consumed by one thing—she had finally avenged her baby.

As Erick slipped into unconsciousness, Joelle felt a large hand cover her eyes.

“It’s too violent. Don’t look.” Rafael’s voice was calm and tempered.

“I just want to see the realization on his face when he knows the magnitude of his mistake,” she replied with a smile.

Hearing Joelle’s words and seeing her standing with Rafael, Adrian’s fury intensified, and his hatred for Erick deepened.

If Erick hadn’t coerced Ned into confessing, Adrian would never have believed Ned was the father. The baby was gone. Adrian knew he owed Joelle a debt he could never repay.

“Stop it, Adie! You’re going to kill him! He’s my only brother!” Rebecca cried out, desperately trying to pull Adrian’s arm away.

“Get off me!” Adrian snarled, violently shaking her off without a second thought.

Rebecca collapsed to the floor, her sobs filling the room. After a moment, Michael stepped in, holding Adrian back. “That’s enough, Adrian. No amount of beating will bring the baby back.”

Adrian’s breath came in ragged gasps, his fists dripping with blood. “Take him to the police. I want every crime he’s committed uncovered. He can rot in prison for all I care.”

“Erick!” As Erick was dragged away, Rebecca clung to Adrian’s arm. “Adie, please. He’s all I have.”

Adrian’s patience with her had worn thin. His eyes still burned with rage. “And that was my only child with Joelle. Beg for him again, and I’ll send you back to your hometown.” “Adie!”

Adrian strode away. When he passed by Joelle, he looked at her intently. “Do you hate me?”

Joelle stared straight ahead, her voice cool as she smiled faintly. “I used to, but not so much when I see you like this.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening as he grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her to face him. “So you’ve been pretending all this time?”

“Yes!” Joelle’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You killed my baby! Why would I let you touch me again? I hate you, Adrian, and I will never forgive you!”

Adrian’s chest tightened with an unfamiliar pain. He cradled the back of her head, his voice strained. “Believe it or not, I wanted to make things right with you.”

“It’s too late.” Joelle’s gaze shifted to Rebecca, who lay unconscious on the floor. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re about to take her to the hospital.”

She was right. Despite the turmoil in his eyes, Adrian said nothing more, simply lifting Rebecca into his arms and walking away.

Michael sighed. “Joelle, maybe it’s time to let go.”

He wanted to defend Adrian, but seeing her standing close to Rafael, he thought better of it and remained silent.

.

.noveldrama

.