Chapter 44

"That woman is so long-winded and annoying!" Margaret thought, disdaining Ingrid. While Raymond lived, she'd been kind to the Haynes family for his sake. Now that he was gone, the Everett family had no obligation to Shaun and his wife. Margaret maintained the relationship solely out of respect for Raymond's memory. But Ingrid lacked tact. After a near-fatal accident, Ingrid broached the subject of marriage. Her intentions were clear.

"How is Joanna?" Ingrid asked.

"Joanna?" Margaret was stunned.

Bruce frowned, his lips quivering. "She was in the accident with me," he muttered.

"But I didn't see her!"

Bruce struggled to sit up, prompting Margaret to restrain him. "You need to lie down. You're still on IV! You've been badly hurt. Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going to see her!"

"Don't move! Let's call the nurse." Margaret pressed the call button.

A nurse quickly arrived.

"Mr. Everett, what do you need?"

The hospital was Everett-owned; all the staff knew Bruce.

"What happened to the woman I came in with?"

"She received stitches and has been discharged."

Bruce frowned. "What? She's out of the hospital?"

"Yes, a man picked her up."

Silence fell. A frown etched itself onto Bruce's face; he felt a pang of heartbreak. The accident revealed he'd loved the wrong person. Joanna, not Roxanne, had rescued him from the pool ten years ago. He'd been wrong all along.

"Bru, don't worry. She's probably fine, which is why she was discharged. By the way, didn't I ask you to have her bring her children to see me? Why haven't they come?"

"She wouldn't."

Margaret's eyes narrowed. "She wouldn't?"

"Yes."

"This girl has a temper! Reminds me of myself," Margaret mused. If the children were Everetts, it would be a stroke of luck for Joanna. Even if they weren't, visiting Margaret presented no risk.

"Grandma, I'm confused. I need to be alone."

"All right. Rest."

"I will."

Margaret sighed and left.

Alone, Bruce reflected on the past. He mentally reviewed events. Initially, he'd liked Joanna. Roxanne had poisoned his opinion of her, painting her as withdrawn and scheming. Over time, he'd believed her.

Outside, Roxanne and Ingrid rushed to greet Margaret. "Old Mrs. Everett!"

Margaret frowned slightly. "Bruce needs rest. You should go home."

Ingrid smiled. "All right. Roxy, you should stay. We won't inconvenience the Everetts further."

Margaret, silently adjusting her shawl, walked away.

Roxanne sighed.

Ingrid frowned. "Why the sigh?"

Roxanne hesitated. She knew a rift had formed between her and Bruce.

"You act like a brat! How did I get such a stupid daughter?" Ingrid snapped.

"Mom, it's about relationships, not intelligence!" Roxanne retorted.

"It matters!"

"Forget it. Go home. Stay close to Bruce."

"Got it…"

After Ingrid and Shaun left, Roxanne sat in the corridor for half an hour before returning to the ward. "Hungry, Bruce? I brought broth."

Bruce hesitated. "Roxy, I need to ask something."

"What?"

"Ten years ago, I drowned. Who saved me?"

A strange look flashed across Roxanne's eyes. "Why the sudden question?"

"I just remembered. Who was it?"

Roxanne clenched her fists, forcing a smile. "Me, of course!"

"Really?"

"Yes! Don't you believe me?"

Roxanne maintained her composure with difficulty. She knew why Bruce had been attracted to her ten years ago. Margaret had brought Bruce to the Haynes residence that year.

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