Chapter 218

"Ugh" Joanna couldn't suppress a retch. Jaydon heard it faintly on the other end of the phone.

"Joanna, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" he asked.

"Nah, I'm fine!" Joanna swallowed hard, fighting back nausea. She didn't want Jaydon to know she was pregnant again, or to worry him further.

Jaydon hesitated. "Are you really okay? Joanna, no matter what, don't hide anything from me!"

"Alright, I got it," she replied.

"Okay, I'll head back to Greyport tomorrow. Should be there around eight in the evening," Jaydon said.

"Sure, want me to pick you up?" she offered.

"Is that convenient for you?" he asked worriedly.

"No worries! It's fine," Joanna said, feigning composure.

"Alright then! See you tomorrow!"

"Okay, see you!"

Joanna hung up, curling up on the sofa, frustration gnawing at her as she rubbed her stomach. Miranda entered with a glass of milk. "Joanna, what's wrong? You look so pale!"

Joanna sighed. "I'm alright!"

Miranda looked at her with concern. "Have some milk! Look at you, how much weight have you lost? It breaks my heart!" She handed Joanna the milk.

Davian and Irvin were out. Lilia was also away. Miranda, Kelly, and Tracy fell silent. Joanna felt queasy; even a small taste triggered her sickness. The smell of the milk made her vomit uncontrollably. "Ugh" Joanna retched and rushed to the bathroom.

Miranda was shocked. "Joanna, what's going on?"

Joanna retched for a while before stopping. Miranda, having seen this before, guessed she was pregnant. "Joanna don't tell me you're pregnant again?"

Joanna didn't respond, her expression falling.

"Quick, go back to your room and lie down! You need to be extra careful during the first trimester. I'll cut up some fresh fruit for you"

Joanna grabbed Miranda's arm. "Miranda, you don't have to worry about me! I'm feeling a bit tired. I'm going to take a nap!" She went to her room.

Joanna lay in bed, her heart heavy. Since giving birth to triplets, another child hadn't crossed her mind. She didn't have the energy to care for another baby. She realized she couldn't keep this child. She had taken numerous medications throughout her pregnancy, including a large dose of antidepressants daily. This posed a significant risk to the fetus, and even if she carried to term, the baby would likely be unhealthy. Her relationship with Bruce was also strained; if she kept the baby, he'd think she was manipulating him. Joanna sighed, burying her head under the blanket.

"Baby, it's not that Mommy doesn't want you! Mommy simply doesn't have the ability to care for you right now. The medications I've taken would greatly affect your well-being! It's better to end your life early than to subject you to a life of hardship!" she whispered to her belly.

Tears streamed down her face. She decided to terminate the pregnancy.

Night fell at the Everett mansion. Bruce lay restlessly in bed, chain-smoking two packs of cigarettes. Joanna was pregnant again. He couldn't tell if it was intentional. It was too soon after his grandmother's death to feel joy. Could he forgive her?

"Joanna, you must be doing this on purpose! Adding insult to injury! Do you think I'll forgive you just because you're pregnant? I won't allow you to give birth"

He felt agitated. He suspected she would go to great lengths to have this child, just as she had secretly delivered their triplets four years ago. He had taken custody of them. She would use another child to threaten and control him. He imagined her using the child as leverage; the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He wanted to find her and force her to have an abortion.

The next day, Joanna woke early.

"Morning, Joanna!" Tracy greeted, serving breakfast.

Joanna replied indifferently. "Yeah, good morning."

She didn't eat, grabbing her bag and keys and leaving.

"Joanna, don't you want breakfast?" Tracy asked.

"I've lost my appetite. You guys go ahead!" Joanna said, stepping outside.

She drove and called Cora.

"Hey, Miss Haynes!"

"Cora, get ready and come with me to Porash!"

"Alright, sure!"

"Wait for me downstairs. I'll be there in 20 minutes!"

"Got it, Miss Haynes!"

Joanna sped to the company. Twenty minutes later, she picked up Cora and drove toward Customs.

"Do we need any documents?" Cora asked.

"No need!"

"Are we going to Greene Town then?"

"Not quite!"

Cora was shocked. "Then why the rush to Porash?"

Joanna sighed. "We're headed to the hospital!"

"Miss Haynes, why are we going to the hospital?" Cora asked, perplexed.

Joanna said coldly, "I'm pregnant!"

"Wait, what?!" Cora exclaimed, looking at Joanna's stomach. "Is it Mr. Everett's?"

Joanna remained silent.

Cora hesitated. "Are we going for a checkup? Why not go to Greyport's hospital? It's more reputable than that in Porash"

"I'm not going for a checkup. I'm going to terminate the pregnancy!" Joanna said coldly, without emotion.

Cora was speechless. "What? Terminate the pregnancy?"

"Yes! I need someone to accompany me, and after thinking it through, you're the most suitable!" She had considered Miranda or Kelly, but they couldn't drive. After the procedure, she wouldn't be able to drive either.

Cora gasped. "Miss Haynes, is the child in your belly Mr. Everett's?"

Joanna sighed. Her expression answered the question.

"Miss Haynes, if the child belongs to Mr. Everett, have you discussed it with him before deciding to terminate the pregnancy? Did he agree?"

Joanna sneered. She knew Bruce would assume she was scheming again.

"I have the right to make my own decisions. I don't need to consult anyone else! Besides, I already have Davian, Irvin, and Lilia. I don't want any more children. Moreover, I've been taking too much medication during pregnancy, which is harmful to the fetus. It's better to proceed with the termination sooner!"

"Alright then!" Cora said. Abortion was illegal in Greyport; Joanna could only go to Mossbourne.

Bruce, having spent a sleepless night, arrived early at the Haynes Group to find Joanna. This woman wanted to use his child to threaten him. No way.

"Where is Joanna?"

"Mr. Everett, Miss Haynes hasn't come to the office today!"

Bruce frowned, angrier. His suspicions were correct. She'd gotten pregnant and couldn't wait to solidify it.

"Why didn't she come?"

"I don't know!"

Bruce called Joanna. A busy signal answered; an international call. She had gone to Mossbourne.

(The final "Chapter 218" and "SEND GIFT" were removed as they were redundant and unrelated to the text.)