Chapter 137

"It's okay. Everything will pass," Jaydon said, hugging Joanna tightly and patting her hair.

Joanna sobbed, her cries heart-wrenching. This was the first time she had been so hysterical in front of him; she'd completely lost control. Jaydon's heart ached; his eyes were red. "Cry if you want to. You'll feel better."

Irvin, equally terrified, watched helplessly. "Mommy"

"Kelly, take Irvin home. Don't scare him. I'll stay with Joanna."

"Okay, Mr. Grimm!"

Irvin began to cry. "Mommy, don't cry. Don't be sad."

Jaydon quickly comforted him. "Irvin, be a good boy. Go with Miss Kelly. I'll stay with Mommy, okay?"

"Okay," Irvin nodded obediently.

Kelly took Irvin home by taxi. Jaydon continued hugging Joanna. Passersby stopped to watch.

"It's alright. No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side."

"Jay, I'm miserable! I can't take it anymore! Why was I born into such a family?" Joanna sobbed.

Jaydon frowned. "I know. I've told you many times—you don't have to put up with it if you can't. If you're willing, I'll always be by your side."

Joanna hugged his waist tightly, crying harder. She needed comfort, a shoulder to lean on. She knew he'd never been exclusively hers, that she shouldn't have asked; but now, she didn't care. She just needed someone she could rely on.

In Shaun's ward, Ingrid raged, "Honey, your daughter wants to make a compulsory acquisition of your Haynes Group shares! It's our family's misfortune to have such a daughter!"

Shaun, his chest aching, breathed heavily. "Enough. We'll hold a press conference next week. I'll completely cut ties with her! Since she doesn't want to acknowledge me as her father, I don't want to acknowledge her as my daughter anymore!"

Ingrid gritted her teeth. "You should have severed your relationship with her long ago"

A shrill cry from the next ward interrupted her. It was Roxanne.

"It's Roxy! Oh my god, let's go!"

Ingrid panicked, rushing to Roxanne's ward, followed by Shaun, who ripped out his IV drip and ran barefoot.

They found Roxanne screaming hysterically, seemingly on the verge of jumping from the window. Ingrid and Shaun were terrified. "Roxy, don't jump! What will I do?" Ingrid cried.

"Don't come closer!" Roxanne screamed, looking down at the three-story drop. She was stalling, waiting for inflatable pads to be set up below.

Roxanne had been assaulted by several men. While hurt and tormented, she was used to Gavin's indiscretions; the difference between one man and five was merely numerical. Her suicidal actions weren't about the assault itself, but a gamble. She was betting on Bruce's guilt, hoping it would lead to sympathy and forgiveness, securing her marriage into the Everett family.

Bruce rushed in, his heart clenching. "Roxy, don't be rash!"

"Don't come over!"

"Roxy, listen to me! Don't be rash!" He tried to approach her.

"Don't come over, or I'll jump!"

"Alright, I won't. Come down, and we can talk."

Roxanne covered her head, sobbing. "I don't have the face to live anymore! Bruce, I'm no longer worthy of you. I hope you and Joanna will be happy together!" She moved towards the windowsill.

"No! Roxy, don't" Ingrid and Shaun screamed.

Bruce grabbed her shirt, pulling her back from the ledge and hugging her tightly.

"Let go of me and let me die"

"Roxy, I won't allow you to jump!"

Bruce felt guilty. "I'm sorry I didn't protect you well. Please give me a chance to make it up to you. I won't turn my back on you! I still love you. Our wedding will be held as scheduled!"

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