Chapter 237

"No matter what, I'll be here for you this time!" Bruce said determinedly, his expression gentle.

Joanna's heart ached. If he had always been this gentle, she might still love him. But things had changed. She'd endured coldness, rain, and his deep hurt, shutting herself off and refusing to trust him again. Opening her heart was difficult.

Seeing Joanna's low spirits, Bruce's eyes flickered as he smiled. "I have good news!"

"What is it?" Joanna asked, still depressed and unexpectant. What good news could he possibly have? More acquisitions or deals?

"Forget it. I'll tell you later," Bruce said, swallowing his words when he saw her lack of enthusiasm. He'd arranged for the children to return from the country the following afternoon and planned a surprise. She'd be overjoyed!

Joanna rolled her eyes, refusing to engage. He was always so self-assured; only God knew what he was thinking. His good news might not be hers.

Bruce rubbed his temples. "Ouch, I have a terrible headache!"

"You should go home and rest," Joanna said.

"Can you massage my head? Nine meetings today! My head feels like it's going to explode!" Bruce leaned exhaustedly against the bed. The Everett Group kept him constantly busy, and he'd barely slept visiting Joanna.

Seeing his exhaustion, Joanna felt a pang of sympathy and reached out to rub his temples. Bruce relaxed, seemingly enjoying it. She continued for ten minutes, until he was snoring lightly. He'd fallen asleep. He was clearly exhausted.

Joanna stopped, noticing his perfect profile: thick eyebrows, a strong nose, a chiseled jawline—a perfect statue. She felt unsure how to face him.

"Bruce" she whispered.

He slept soundly. She covered him with his jacket. He slept for over an hour, then turned, as if from a nightmare, grabbing at the air. "Joanna! Joanna"

His grip tightened on her wrist. "What's wrong?" she asked, startled awake.

He shook his head, then calmed down. "Nothing. A dream."

"What did you dream?"

"I dreamt that" he paused. He'd dreamt she'd left him, and he couldn't catch up.

Looking at her confused face, he smiled wryly. "Just a silly dream."

"What time is it?"

Joanna checked the clock. "Almost 11 p.m."

"I've been asleep an hour and a half?"

"Yes."

Bruce stretched. "I'm exhausted."

"Go home and rest. It's late."

"I want to stay a little longer."

"You don't have to. I need to sleep too."

Bruce conceded. "Alright. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay."

He kissed her forehead. "Take care of the baby. Everything will be fine. I'm here."

Joanna gazed at him weakly. He kissed her lips. "Good night. I have to go."

He left. Joanna felt inexplicably sad. The gentler he was, the worse she felt. He was trying to win her back, but she remained closed off, fearing further hurt.

"Bruce, please stop. You can't make up for what you've done!"

She'd been hospitalized for over a week. Christmas Eve was two days away, and she'd likely spend it alone, as she had since her mother's death, except for the years with her children.

The next day, Roxanne called Kensley.

"Hello."

"Doctor Leach, how did it go?"

Kensley sighed, frustrated and fearful. "Don't mention it. I almost got caught. Joanna kept her baby. I'm under suspicion."

Roxanne was furious. "Damn it! You took two million dollars and failed!"

Kensley retorted, "Ms. Haynes, you promised twenty million after I helped you with Mrs. Everett! You only gave me one million, and two million isn't enough!"

Roxanne gritted her teeth. "I don't care. Find another way!"

"I can't! I'll be caught! I'm already suspected. If anything happens, I'll be the first suspect and lose everything."

Roxanne was enraged. "You want to quit?"

"Yes! Joanna isn't nobody. Mr. Everett cares deeply about her. I won't risk my future for money! Goodbye!" Kensley hung up. He had a promising future and wouldn't jeopardize it.

Roxanne slammed the phone down. "Joanna, you're cursed! It's unfair! Why does she have everything?"

Desperate, she called Ingrid.

"Hello, Roxy!"

"Hi, Mom!"

"You're calling early? What's wrong?"

"Nothing much. Just wanted to talk."

"Christmas is in two days. I'm busy shopping. Are you and Bruce coming?"

Roxanne felt worse. "I haven't seen him for days!"

"Oh? What's the matter?"

"He's been with that bitch Joanna. He won't celebrate Christmas with me!"

Ingrid sneered. "That slut! Joanna's getting more arrogant! You're to blame too. You've never beaten her. Shame on you!"

(The "SEND GIFT" and website advertisement have been removed as they are irrelevant to the text cleanup.)