Chapter 123 Like
After thinking it over, Joanna still didn't come clean to Sandra.
She gave a bitter smile and said, "It's nothing, Mom. I'll bail Chad out, okay? After all, we're family. I can't just stand by and watch him go to jail. I'm sure he's learned his lesson these past few days."
When it came to misusing company funds, if she didn't press charges and worked with the board to issue a letter of understanding, there was still a chance to get Chad released on bail.
"Really?" Sandra got very excited. "Joanna, I didn't dare bring it up before. I'm so happy you're offering to do this yourself. Your father made an even bigger mistake, and there's nothing we can do to fix that now. But Chad is still young. He still has so many possibilities ahead of him. As long as we guide him properly, Chad will definitely turn things around."
Sandra started talking about when they were kids.
Back then, Chad was good to both Joanna and Sandra, and he was very obedient too.
He wasn't born a bad kid, which is why Sandra still had hope for Chad.
But only Joanna knew in her heart that Chad's character was already set. There was no way to change him now.
"I understand, Mom. I'll have a good talk with Chad."
Joanna left the nursing home feeling defeated.
She suddenly really wanted to talk to someone to ease the fear in her heart.
Out of nowhere, she thought of Angelo.
But Joanna didn't dare call and bother Angelo. She was afraid of owing him even more favors that she could never repay.
She went back home, but twenty minutes later, she heard the doorbell ring.
Looking through the peephole, she discovered it was Angelo.
And he'd brought lunch.
Joanna opened the door to let him in. "Angelo? Why did you suddenly come over?"
"Today's your day off. I was thinking it's been a while since we had a meal together, so I packed some food. Want to see if you like it?"
Besides the food, there was also some alcohol.
Angelo probably knew she'd gone to see Henry and guessed she'd be in a bad mood, so he prepared drinks.
Perfect timing—it was exactly what Joanna needed right now.
"Thank you, Angelo!"
Joanna opened the alcohol herself and toasted Angelo.
She didn't say much and barely touched the food, just kept drinking.
Angelo didn't ask questions either. He quietly kept her company and even put on some soft, soothing music.
In less than an hour, Joanna was drunk.
Face flushed, she threw herself at Angelo and said gloomily, "Angelo, you're so annoying. Why do you always have to be so good to me? You're making me... making me afraid to face your feelings."
Maybe she had admired Angelo at some point.
But every time, the favors she owed put her in a passive position filled with guilt.
Sometimes Joanna would wonder—if she hadn't accidentally slept with Chris back then, would she have ended up with Angelo?
Angelo's voice remained gentle. "Because I like you, I'm willing to keep giving. What about you, Joanna? If you like me too, can you give me some response? Otherwise I keep worrying whether my actions are causing you trouble. I'm also afraid..."
Before he could finish, Joanna's soft lips pressed against his.
She bit Angelo, then pulled back, saying drunkenly, "Don't be scared. I'll protect you!"
Angelo laughed helplessly.
He'd thought the kiss was somewhat passionate, but looking at her now, Joanna probably didn't even know what she'd done.
This also showed that her mind was really in chaos right now. Henry must have said or done something that hurt Joanna.
He looked at Joanna with heartache. "Okay, you protect me, and I'll protect you too."
Joanna laughed a couple of times, gulped down more alcohol, then started crying.
"I have to let Chad out, but I'm so angry. Why should I listen to him? You're on my side, right?"
Angelo was confused by her rambling, but still nodded. "Don't be afraid. Whatever decision you make, I can help you deal with the trouble. As long as you're willing to rely on me, Joanna, can you accept me a little more from your heart?"
He cupped Joanna's head, looking straight into her eyes.
Joanna's drunkenness seemed to fade a bit. Her head hurt, and her heart was racing.
She thought she was sick and got scared, crying again. "I'm dying! My heart's beating so fast. Quick, take me to the hospital. I need to operate on myself!"
Angelo was helpless. He grabbed her flailing arms and forced her back to her room.
"You're just drunk and talking nonsense. You're not sick. I'll get you to your room first. If you still remember my question when you wake up tomorrow, give me an answer."
After finally getting Joanna to sleep, Angelo was too tired to leave. He cleaned up the living room a bit and stayed in the guest room.
When Joanna woke up, her head hurt terribly. Fragmented images kept flashing, and she remembered bits of last night, instantly feeling extremely embarrassed.
How could she act drunk and crazy in front of Angelo!
She seemed to have kissed Angelo too?
Would Angelo be mad? Should she take responsibility and accept Angelo's confession?
While Joanna was feeling troubled, Angelo had already bought breakfast and politely knocked on her door.
"Joanna, if you're awake, come out and have some honey water. It'll help with the headache."
Joanna hid under the covers and shouted, "Not awake yet! I'll drink it later."
After saying that, she felt awkward.
She felt like her brain wasn't working properly. Distressed, she found clean clothes to change into and got up to wash up.
After opening the door, she met Angelo's eyes as he held back a smile. Joanna felt even more embarrassed.
"Angelo, can you please forget my embarrassing behavior and pretend nothing happened last night?"
Angelo shook his head. "No, I'm still waiting for someone to give me an answer. So Joanna, have you seriously thought about yesterday's question?"
Joanna almost bit her own tongue.
She was thinking about whether she should pretend to have forgotten what happened yesterday.
But after thinking it over, Joanna chose to be honest. "Angelo, you've helped me so much. I don't want to lie to you. Actually, you've been so good to me, and I'm not made of stone—I've been moved many times. It's just that I'm divorced, and you're so great. I'm not good enough for you."
Angelo's expression turned serious. "I've told you before—in my eyes, you're great too. Joanna, a person's value has nothing to do with how many times they've been married. I treasure your value, so I'm willing to give my heart. The problems you're hesitating and worrying about don't exist. You just need to ask yourself—do you like being with me? Would you look forward to our life together after marriage?"
Joanna's heartbeat stopped for a few seconds, then started racing wildly.
She knew she did like being with Angelo—not having to face difficulties and troubles, having someone stand in front to solve them.
Even the most serious situations would become simple when Angelo was there.
She had looked forward to days with Angelo, even regretted that if she'd married Angelo instead, maybe those three years would have been very different.
After a brief moment of thought, under Angelo's nervous gaze, Joanna slowly nodded.