Chapter 222

Joanna listened, her eyes reddening as she glared at Bruce with resentment and anger. Bruce sensed her anger but remained unmoved. He raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze calm yet challenging. If she wanted to challenge him, he had plenty of ways to put her in her place.

"I'll count to three. You should be ready for dinner!" he said. "You know I always keep my word!"

Joanna rolled her eyes, tears instantly welling up. She had intended to stand her ground, but the moment she saw the children, she crumbled. This damn jerk always knew how to exploit her vulnerabilities.

Receiving no response, Bruce began counting, "One." Joanna's heart tightened as she stared intently at him. "Two," Bruce's tone grew more serious. "Three," he finished, standing and heading for the door.

Seeing this, Joanna didn't dare argue. Suppressing her anger, she reluctantly walked toward the dining table. Her hair was disheveled, and her figure so thin she looked like a bag of bones. Even the smallest clothes hung loosely on her.

On the table, an assortment of nutritious dishes awaited: milk, sea cucumbers, codfish, and more, all carefully prepared by top nutritionists. However, despite her two-day hunger, Joanna had no appetite.

She sat down, feeling numb. Bruce sat opposite, his demeanor cold, as if interrogating a suspect. His gaze was fixed on her, but though his face remained expressionless, his heart felt like it was being pricked by a needle.

When he first met Joanna, she was slim, but not emaciated like now. Then, she had been radiant and healthy, her eyes bright and clear, always accompanied by a gentle smile. She was like a sunflower blooming under the sun. Now, although still beautiful, she emanated sickness and desolation. Her thin limbs looked as if they might snap.

"Drink this milk," Bruce pushed a bowl toward her.

Like a young student, Joanna slowly picked up the spoon and took a sip. The milk was smooth and had an excellent texture, but she was experiencing severe morning sickness. Combined with her depression, her digestive system rejected it.

She managed only one bite before feeling nauseous and retching. Having eaten nothing for two days, she vomited only stomach acid. Her stomach and esophagus burned.

Bruce, distressed, patted her back, his brow furrowed. "How did you end up like this?"

Joanna remained silent, her eyes empty and bewildered. Ever since her mother's death at age twelve, she had felt no love or warmth. Taken in by the Haynes family, she had strived to blossom and win her father's affection, longing for familial love. Yet, in the end…

Their eyes met in silence, burdened by unspoken emotions. Bruce, too, was overwhelmed with distress, speechless. It seemed fate had doomed their relationship from the start. He yearned to love her and be loved in return, to atone for past pain. But her grandmother's death, a consequence of their relationship, made forgiveness impossible for both of them.

"I can't eat anymore, please, don't force me," Joanna weakly protested.

Angered, Bruce retorted, "You haven't even taken a bite. Are you trying to kill yourself?"

Joanna retched uncontrollably, the burning in her stomach causing tears and mucus to stream down her face as she curled up in agony. Seeing her pain, Bruce stopped. "Lilian, call the doctor immediately!"

"Yes, sir," Lilian answered obediently.

Bruce stirred the milk and tried to feed it to Joanna. "Can you have some more?"

She vomited again, unable to even see the milk. The burning sensation in her stomach intensified, her tears and snot flowing freely. Her body arched.

"Alright, alright, stop eating!" Bruce quickly put down the spoon. His heart ached. "Lie down, rest," he urged gently, lifting her into his arms.

Too weak to resist, Joanna leaned against his shoulder as he laid her on the bed. This vexing woman always brought him sorrow. Was she here for revenge? Why else would she pierce his heart so mercilessly?

Fifteen minutes later, the family doctor arrived.

"Mr. Everett, Ms. Haynes, are you alright?" the doctor asked.

Bruce frowned. "She's been constantly sick and can't eat anything! Please check if there's any treatment."

He watched attentively as the doctor examined Joanna. "She's suffering from severe malnutrition and intense anemia," the doctor said gravely.

"And?" Bruce raised an eyebrow.

The doctor frowned. "Her health is in such a critical condition that I recommend…terminating the pregnancy."

"What?" Bruce's eyebrows shot up in shock. The doctor repeated his recommendation, emphasizing the risks to both Joanna and the fetus.

"Isn't there any other treatment?"

The doctor paused. "If you insist on keeping the child, Ms. Haynes must urgently replenish her nutrition. She must stop working and focus on a healthy pregnancy! Especially during the first three months, hospitalization is recommended. Otherwise, the risk of miscarriage increases."

Bruce's eyebrows furrowed. Two days ago, he hadn't wanted this child, but now the closer he came to losing it, the more afraid he became.

"For now, prescribe folic acid and pregnancy stabilizers. As for morning sickness, it's common. Consume more fresh fruits and avoid medication. It will improve."

Chapter 222

Bruce sighed in relief. "Alright."

The doctor added that Joanna needed complete rest. Bruce's heart sank. Joanna's stubbornness made it unlikely she would comply.

After the doctor left, Bruce decided to talk to Joanna calmly. "Joanna, can we talk?"

Joanna looked at him weakly.

Bruce's expression was serious. "The doctor said you're severely malnourished! If you want to save this child, you have to stop everything and focus on a healthy pregnancy!"

Joanna remained silent, too weak to argue.

Bruce pondered. "Don't do anything for this year! Prepare to give birth safely. I'll leave the company to your father for now. Don't worry about it."

Joanna's anger flared. He was only eager for her to give birth to regain the chairman position for his father-in-law.

"Impossible! I won't have this child, and I won't let go of the company!" She no longer wanted any connection with Shaun, and couldn't afford to lose the company.

"Look at your condition! Do you really want to die? Even without a child, you need to take care of your health!" Bruce's anger rose. He genuinely didn't want to see her like this. He was puzzled. Why couldn't she just submit to him? She could have anything she wanted, so why this struggle?

"I know my own body. It's none of your business! Bruce, I'm begging you, stop interfering!"

"No! You're the mother of my child, and I have a responsibility to look after you!"

Joanna was speechless with anger.