Chapter 191
Bruce carried Joanna to the washroom.
"Go!" he commanded.
Joanna frowned silently. "You can leave now!"
Bruce sneered. "Heh! Must we be so formal? What part of your body haven't I seen?"
"Hurry and use the restroom! I'll wait outside!"
"Get out, you lunatic!" Joanna shoved Bruce out of the washroom. This infuriating man had rendered her speechless.
Bruce waited outside the washroom.
Joanna was angry and annoyed. Her face flushed crimson. She was unaccustomed to people paying attention to her while she used the restroom.
Ten minutes later…
Knock, knock, knock! Bruce knocked. "Hey, are you finished yet?"
He wasn't trying to peek; he simply didn't have that sort of hobby. However, at Mossbourne, Joanna had fainted in the bathtub and nearly died. He still had lingering fears and worried something might happen to her, so he waited outside the door.
Creak!
The bathroom door opened. Joanna walked out slowly, angrily. Ignoring him, she went straight to the bed.
Seeing her cold demeanor, Bruce's anger flared. This woman was incorrigible!
"Hey, stop!"
"What do you want now?"
Bruce approached resentfully, pinning her against the wall. "I don't like your attitude!"
Joanna stared at him, shocked, helpless, and furious. "What do you want then?"
Bruce didn't speak. His sharp gaze conveyed his anger and dissatisfaction. A few seconds passed as they stared into each other's eyes. Joanna looked down, unable to bear his intense gaze—it was like looking into the eyes of a wild animal.
"Can you move?" Joanna tried to push him away.
Before she could, Bruce lowered his head and kissed her fiercely, deepening the kiss without her consent.
"Mm… Let go of me…" Joanna panicked, her back pressed against the wall. Bruce wrapped his arms tightly around her shoulders, kissing her forcefully. He both loved and hated her; unfortunately, she possessed a stubborn personality.
"Ah… Let go of me!" Joanna panicked and struggled. Her head swam, her legs and spine turned to jelly. She collapsed to the ground, her arms weak. Sensing something was wrong, Bruce quickly released her.
Joanna closed her eyes, as if losing consciousness.
"Joanna! Joanna, what's wrong?" Bruce shook her.
After a long while, Joanna's vision cleared. Bruce dared not force her further, only holding her, filled with remorse and fear.
"It's okay. I won't touch you again. I was too impulsive."
Joanna wept.
"Why are you crying?" Bruce's tone softened as he gently wiped her tears.
"It's none of your business!" Joanna pushed him away and stumbled toward the bed. He always did this: bully her, then coax her. She couldn't stand his treatment.
Joanna lay on the pillow, crying. Bruce stood there, unsure whether to comfort her.
Seconds ticked by. His anger grew. She was likely crying because of Jaydon. This fueled his rage.
"Why are you crying? Still mourning your lover? Heh! Joanna, you're so stupid! Is a scumbag like Jaydon worth this? I'm just afraid you're blind to what a disgusting man he is! You should thank me for showing you his true colors!"
Joanna's crying intensified; Bruce's words only angered her further. Had he set a trap for Jaydon, just to expose his character?
"Bruce, you're despicable!"
"Heh! Say what you like. I've never been good to you!" Bruce retorted resentfully. He couldn't understand Joanna's loyalty to Jaydon, a scumbag and playboy, believing himself superior in every way. She chose Jaydon over him! He was unaware that Joanna and Jaydon had no relationship; they hadn't even dated or been intimate. She had never been his girlfriend or fiancée.
"Say something! You have nothing to say, right?"
Joanna, furious, looked away, refusing to speak. She cried for a while, then felt sleepy. She closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep; a sedative had been added to her IV drip, and lack of oxygen from crying caused her to pass out. It was a very deep sleep.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Joanna's phone vibrated. Bruce, thinking it was Jaydon, gritted his teeth, preparing to berate him. But the caller ID showed Tracy.
Bruce frowned, then answered.
A sweet voice came from the other end. "Hello, Mommy. Why aren't you home yet?" It was Lilia.
Bruce's heart melted. "Hello, my sweetheart Lilia?"
"Daddy! It's you! Where's Mommy? Hehehe!"
Bruce paused. "Be good. Mommy's busy right now."
"What's wrong with Mommy?" Lilia sounded worried.
"Mommy's ill and at the hospital. She might not be home tonight."
"Huh?" Lilia panicked.
"But Daddy's taking care of Mommy. Don't worry. Tomorrow, Daddy will send someone to pick you up, okay?"
"Okay…"
"Be good and rest early. You'll see Mommy tomorrow morning!"
"Okay!"
"Be good and listen to Daddy. Do you miss Daddy?"
Lilia said sweetly, "Of course, I miss Daddy!"
Bruce smiled. "Send me a flying kiss then!"
A loud smack came from the phone.
"Lilia, you're a good girl. Go to bed early!"
"Good night, Daddy!"
Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Everett mansion was far from cheerful. Bruce remained at the hospital, ignoring countless calls. Roxanne waited until ten o'clock, but he still hadn't returned. She'd seen the news reports of Bruce carrying Joanna away from the reporters. News of their reconciliation spread online. Margaret was also worried and sleepless.
"Grandma, it's late. Rest early…"
Margaret sighed. "Bruce is becoming unreasonable! The more I tell him to leave Joanna alone, the more he refuses to listen!"
"Don't worry. I'll send someone to find him."
Roxanne stopped Margaret. "Grandma, don't! He'll think I forced you!" "Besides, this isn't Bruce's fault. It's all my sister's…" Roxanne sobbed.
Margaret comforted her. "Don't cry. It's bad for you and the baby. Grandma will stand up for you! You're my granddaughter-in-law! I won't let anyone bully you. Just focus on the baby."
"Men are bastards. The more we control them, the less they listen. He'll realize his wife is the best after experiencing the highs and lows!" Roxanne forced a smile. "Grandma, don't make things difficult for Bruce. An outstanding man attracts women. Even if Bruce doesn't like them, they'll try. Don't worry, I won't take it to heart. I'll take care of the baby!"