Chapter 183

He couldn't remember the events of that night. It was impossible to recall clearly while drowsy.

Roxanne tugged at his sleeve, her expression pitiful. "Bruce, aren't you happy? I thought you'd be!" she said aggrievedly.

"Roxanne, my mind is a mess. Let me calm down," Bruce replied, placing Lilia back in her pram. He was still struggling to recall the night's events.

"Bruce, we've been in love for so long. Now that we have the gem of our love, this is a gift from the heavens!"

This only annoyed him further. "Roxanne, go home. Let me calm down!"

"If the child is really mine, I'll take responsibility."

"Bruce"

Joanna's voice cut through the air. "If you want to discuss this, please go outside!"

Roxanne, tears shimmering in her eyes, turned to Joanna. "Sister, please give up on Bruce! My child is really Bruce's! Sister, don't interfere. The doctor said I'm pregnant with twins. I don't want to be a single mother! Please, I'm begging you!" She sobbed, occasionally rubbing her lower abdomen.

Joanna felt a surge of anger. "Roxanne, you're mistaken! You should persuade Bruce to stop bothering me!"

Roxanne inwardly seethed. Damn bitch, she thought, if it weren't for you, Bruce wouldn't have changed his mind! You're still pretending after taking advantage of me. Disgusting! Despite her inner rage, she maintained a weak, pitiful facade. "Sister, if you quit, Bruce won't disown my children, or abandon me! You've already taken Bruce once. Don't do it again! Without him, I can't live!"

Bruce snapped, irritated. "Stop! This is impossible!"

"Is it because you have my sister's children that you don't want to acknowledge ours? I'm carrying your child. If you don't believe me, we can do an amniotic fluid test after four months!"

She'd been artificially inseminated; the children were undeniably his. No matter how he investigated, the paternity would be undeniable.

Bruce's heart pounded. He frowned. He seemed to recall sleeping with Roxanne. Unexpectedly, she was pregnant. This was bad. He couldn't get rid of her.

He examined the pregnancy test she provided, revealing she was two weeks pregnant. It was true.

"Roxanne, I need to calm down. Go home. This is too sudden," he said.

Roxanne innocently tugged his sleeve. He angrily shoved her away. His expression was icy. "I said, go home! Do you understand?"

Roxanne, intimidated by his coldness, didn't press further. "Alright. It's sudden. Bruce, think about it. I'll leave." She glared at Joanna before departing.

"Joanna, there's a misunderstanding!" Bruce tried to explain, but his words seemed futile.

Joanna coldly turned away. Roxanne's pregnancy wasn't surprising; after so many years with Bruce, it was expected.

"Bruce, deal with this with Roxanne."

"It's none of your business!"

Lilia's innocent question pierced the tense air. "Daddy, are you going to marry that auntie? Will you still visit me?"

"Sweetheart, whether I marry or not, I'll visit you."

"Tracy, please take Lilia out."

"Of course, Mr. Everett." Tracy quickly took Lilia away, leaving Bruce and Joanna alone.

Bruce, dropping his arrogance, looked intently at Joanna. "Joanna, listen, my relationship with Roxanne isn't what you think."

"You don't need to explain. It's between you two. I'm not interested."

"No, you must listen!"

"There's nothing between us!"

Joanna sneered. Why would she believe him? He was hardly abstinent. Six years with Roxanne, and no one would believe they'd never slept together.

"That night was an accident. She drugged me" Bruce began to explain.

"Bruce, stop! This is your business. I'm not interested. I'm tired and want to sleep. Leave."

Frustrated, Bruce fell silent. Joanna closed her eyes, unwilling to hear more. Regardless of his relationship with Roxanne, it didn't concern her. She'd stopped loving him long ago. "Alright. Rest well."

Bruce left, needing to figure things out. His phone rang. He answered Roxanne.

"Hello, Bruce!"

"Where are you? I need to talk."

"What is it? I'm on my way home."

Bruce took a deep breath. "You can't have the baby. Get an abortion."

Silence. Then, Roxanne's heart-wrenching cry. "Bruce, what are you talking about?"

"I said, get an abortion!"

"No! It's our baby. I won't! You can't be so cruel! Boohoo"

"Don't cry. We both took drugs that night. The children might be unhealthy. We can't keep them." He feared Roxanne's reaction, so he offered an excuse.

Roxanne sobbed uncontrollably. "Bruce, you're ruthless! If I have to abort them, I'd rather die with them!" She hung up.

Roxanne stopped crying, a smug sneer replacing her tears. It wasn't easy to get pregnant, and you want me to abort it? Hmph, unless you give me at least two billion as compensation!

News spread quickly. Margaret learned of Roxanne's pregnancy.

"Call Bruce and tell him to come home!"

"Yes, ma'am."

Margaret waited at the Everett mansion. At seven, a frustrated Bruce arrived.

"Grandma, why the rush?"

Margaret looked at him worriedly. "Bruce, I heard Roxanne is pregnant."

His heart pounded. "Grandma, it was an accident!"

"Accident or not, is the child yours?"

"She insists it's mine. I guess so."

"Then that's all we need to know. This is joyous. Let her give birth."

"Grandma" Bruce protested. He didn't want Roxanne to have his child.

Margaret sighed. "Bring Roxanne to the mansion and take care of her. Since she's pregnant, register your marriage."

Bruce's eyes darkened. "Grandma, it's complicated."

"I know what you're worried about. Are you still thinking about Joanna?" His silence confirmed her suspicions.

"After this, I realize Joanna is stubborn, and you are impatient. Since you're divorced, maybe it's for the best. Roxanne is gentle and innocent, a good match for you, except for her mother."

"But I've gotten over it. As long as you two get along, nothing will be a problem. You've been with Roxanne so long, take responsibility!"

Bruce grew increasingly impatient, but couldn't argue with his grandmother. She knew so little about them. Roxanne was far more dishonest than Joanna. If she gave birth to his child, he'd be stuck with her for life. This thought infuriated him.

Margaret, noticing his distraction, grew angry. "I'm talking to you! Are you listening? Bring Roxanne over. I want to talk to her."

Bruce sighed. "Grandma, since Roxanne is pregnant why don't we let Joanna's children return to her?"