Chapter 175

"Why are you here?" Bruce frowned. He didn't really want to see Roxanne.

Roxanne placed the thermos on the bed and looked at him tenderly. "Bruce, you've had two surgeries, and I haven't been able to be there for you. Now that they're over, as your fiancée, I have to take care of you!"

Bruce's frown deepened. "I told you it wasn't necessary."

Roxanne opened the thermos, filled a bowl with soup, and offered it to him eagerly. "Bruce, you just had surgery. You need nourishment. Have some soup!"

"No, thanks." Bruce wasn't in the mood.

"Bruce, I spent over ten hours making this soup! You must drink some."

"Leave it," Bruce said impatiently. "I'll drink it later."

"Okay" Roxanne pouted and set the bowl down.

Bruce leaned against the bed, his expression cold. Roxanne studied him. "Bruce, why are you distancing yourself from me?"

"Roxy" Bruce looked up, hesitant.

Roxanne interrupted, smiling gently. "Bruce, I know what you're going to say." Bruce's eyes widened.

Roxanne snuggled close. "It's really okay. I consider your children my own! Besides, they're your children from before we were together. Why would I be angry? Let's postpone the wedding. Nothing is more important than the child's illness. We can have the wedding after they recover."

Bruce's brow furrowed. Roxanne had effectively blocked his escape. It seemed he was stuck with her. He had no feelings for her, but he dared not mention breaking up. He knew she might attempt suicide again. Her previous suicide attempt had been a near-death experience. Especially after her assault, he feared the consequences of a breakup.

Later, Bruce swallowed his words and said insincerely, "Roxy, you're very thoughtful."

"Of course! We've been together so long. We face storms together. No difficulties can tear us apart," Roxanne said, holding his hand tightly.

Bruce took a deep breath, unwilling to argue further.

"Bruce, the soup will get cold. I put precious ingredients in it. You must drink some."

"Okay, thank you."

"Why are you thanking me?"

Roxanne gently stirred the soup and brought a spoonful to his lips. "Let me do it myself!"

"You're a patient. Let me feed you."

Bruce drank the soup.

"Does it taste good?"

"Yes, delicious!"

"Then drink more, Bruce."

Bruce finished the bowl.

"More?"

"No, I'm full."

"Alright, I'll wash the dishes!" Roxanne smiled and left the ward with the bowl.

In the washroom, she encountered Joanna. They exchanged awkward glances. Joanna tried to leave, but Roxanne sneered.

"Joanna, don't think you can steal Bruce away just because you had his children! Don't even think about it! Do you know the most pitiful and stupid woman? One who thinks bearing a man's children will keep his heart!"

Joanna turned, looking coldly at Roxanne. "That's you. You're shameless! You're divorced, yet you still want Bruce's child! Do you think that will change his mind?" Roxanne continued sarcastically, her anger escalating. She almost married into the Everett family twice, but Joanna ruined it. If it were legal, she would kill Joanna.

Joanna crossed her arms. "Roxanne, even with three children, I never wanted to be with Bruce. Just because you treasure him doesn't mean everyone does."

"Humph, you're lying!"

"Believe what you will."

Roxanne's anger intensified. "If you didn't miss Bruce, why would you bother him? The best ex disappears without a trace."

Joanna scoffed. "I don't need to explain myself to you!" She turned to leave.

"Joanna, you bitch! Stop!" Roxanne, enraged, lunged forward.

Joanna dodged, grabbed Roxanne's hands, and pushed her back. "You're beneath me! Don't act like a victim! Who's the victim? You know very well!"

"Joanna, you bitch, I'll kill you" Roxanne lunged again. Joanna, no longer polite, grabbed Roxanne's hair and threw her to the ground.

"Ah!" Roxanne screamed, her ankle hurting.

Bruce, worried, arrived to find them fighting.

"What's going on?"

Roxanne, seeing Bruce, instantly played the victim. "Bruce, Joanna hit me"

"Joanna, how could you attack Roxanne?"

Bruce helped Roxanne up.

Joanna sneered. "Bruce, believe what you want. Roxanne started it; I fought back."

"Bruce, look at Joanna. She hates me. I'm scared of her"

Bruce cut her off coldly. "Roxy, you should go home."

"No, Bruce, I want to stay!"

"I don't need your company!"

"Bruce!"

Bruce frowned and ordered Andy, "Andy, take Ms. Haynes home."

Roxanne, furious at being dismissed, glared at Joanna before leaving.

Bruce sighed and tried to appease Joanna. "Joanna, why are you so angry? You used to be so gentle."

"I was too gentle; everyone walked all over me. I'm done being gentle. Being a shrew is better."

Bruce frowned. "Don't stoop to Roxanne's level. She's easily hurt."

"She started it; I retaliated."

"I know, but you were too harsh."

"Are you lecturing me or taking her side?"

"No, I want peace among the three of us"

Joanna retorted coldly, "I can't do that."

"Joanna, don't be so stubborn."

"Bruce, it's not me, it's you!"

"Forget it. I don't want to argue," Bruce said, his face darkening. He realized he'd underestimated Joanna's strong will.