Chapter 159

Ingrid was furious. Pointing at Joanna, she scolded, "You shameless bitch! You haven't the guts to admit what you've done. You keep saying you'll distance yourself from Mr. Everett, but you're still having an affair with him behind Roxy's back."

Joanna was infuriated. "Ingrid Haynes, watch your mouth! You have no right to comment on my relationship with Bruce! Even if I am still having an affair with him, it's our business. I knew Bruce first. Roxanne came between us; I wasn't the home wrecker! If you speak rudely again, I'll sue. Don't forget your own actions!"

Ingrid gasped, her face paling. She dared not argue further, instead turning to Shaun. "Hubby, did you hear what your good daughter said? She's deliberately defying our family. We're so unlucky to have such a jinx! If anything happens to Roxy, I don't want to live either!" Ingrid began to wail.

After berating Joanna, Ingrid, seemingly overwhelmed with grief, wailed and tugged at Shaun's sleeve. Shaun, while comforting Ingrid, also scolded Joanna: "You unfilial daughter! What have I done to deserve you? You'll drive me to my grave! I'll beat you to death, you shameless thing!"

"Please, no arguing here. This is a hospital!" Nurses and security guards intervened to quell the commotion.

Joanna, maintaining an indifferent expression, said, "I can't explain anymore. Do what you want." She turned to leave the ward.

"Stop! I'll beat you to death, you unfilial thing!"

"What's going on?" Bruce returned after seeing Margaret home, frowning at the scene before him. "What are you arguing about?"

Ingrid's fury reignited at the sight of Bruce. "Bruce, you came at the right time! What do you mean by canceling the wedding? Have you considered Roxy's feelings? The Haynes family's feelings? The wedding's tomorrow; we've informed everyone. Can you just cancel it like that? What will people think of Roxy?"

Bruce frowned. "I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry."

"Sorry?! Do you know how much you've hurt Roxy? She's missing! If she does anything foolish, I won't let the Everett family off, even if it kills me!"

Bruce pondered. "I'm sorry, but my daughter is seriously ill. I need to save her first. We can hold the wedding anytime."

"Your daughter? You're supposed to marry Roxy tomorrow! Where did this daughter come from? Are you treating Roxy fairly?"

Ingrid's unforgiving tone and Bruce's guilty expression emboldened her. Bruce's expression changed. "I've never wronged anyone. My relationship with Roxanne was a misunderstanding from the start! I kept my promise to marry her! If you object, let's cancel the wedding!" He admitted that if not for Roxanne's suicide threats, he would have ended things long ago. He felt even more responsible after her assault, thus his willingness to marry her. That kindness was no longer necessary.

Ingrid was stunned, her attitude shifting. "No, how can you be so irresponsible? Six years with Roxy, and you dump her like that? Aren't you heartless?"

"Mrs. Haynes, while I dated Roxanne for six years, we were never intimate! I've given her ample financial compensation! I feel I haven't wronged her! If you're dissatisfied, fine. Our relationship ends today!"

Panic seized Ingrid. "Bruce, that's not what I meant! I don't mean to blame you! Roxy is innocent and easily bullied! Whatever you decide, discuss it with her. The wedding's tomorrow, and you're ignoring her! How will she face others? Postpone it if you must…"

Bruce refused further discussion. "I'm not in the mood. I need to save my daughter first. We'll talk about Roxanne later!"

"Bruce, Roxy can wait…"

"Get them out!"

"Bruce!" Ingrid tried to speak.

Bodyguards intervened. "Mr. and Mrs. Haynes, please leave. Don't disturb Mr. Everett."

"Bruce, we'll go. I'll comfort Roxy. She'll wait for you!"

Bruce felt more frustrated. He hoped Roxanne would end the relationship willingly. He was disgusted by her suicide threats.

Leaving, Ingrid complained to Shaun, "It's all your good daughter's fault! If I were you, I'd have slapped her repeatedly!"

"Alright, alright. Let's find Roxy! Keep an eye on her; don't let her do anything stupid…"

After their departure, Joanna felt stunned by the unexpected turn of events.

"Bruce, I'm sorry!"

Bruce gently stroked her hair. "Don't be silly. Why apologize?"

Joanna's eyes were bloodshot. "I shouldn't have told you this now…"

Bruce guessed and cut her off. "Joanna, don't burden yourself. Even without Lilia, I don't want to marry Roxanne."

Joanna looked up. Bruce's eyes held gentleness. "I told you there was a misunderstanding! I made a mistake, losing you. If you're willing, let's start over."

Joanna was stunned. Reconciliation was impossible, and she didn't want to break him and Roxanne up. Her past relationship with Bruce had been filled with fear and anger—pain she never wanted to experience again.

"Bruce, I have no intention of breaking you and Roxanne up! I don't want to be criticized!"

Bruce's voice hardened. "I said there's a misunderstanding! Can't you understand?"

"I don't understand!"

"Joanna, I want to get to know you again, woo you again. Is that okay?"

Joanna shook her head. "No, it's not possible. You're about to marry Roxanne. You can't abandon her to save Lilia! I don't want people to think I fought with Roxanne to get you back!" She recoiled, fearing the cyberbullying of six years ago. The accusations of being a scheming woman who seduced her brother-in-law would resurface.

"Joanna, why don't you understand? Roxanne replaced you!" Bruce tried to explain, but ten years had passed; it wouldn't convince her. She'd see him as fickle. She wouldn't understand his feelings after she saved him ten years ago.

"Bruce, stop! You've hurt me deeply. Don't hurt Roxanne!"

"Joanna, will you keep pushing me away? Did you ever love me?"

Joanna had loved him for ten years, but now… she didn't anymore.