Chapter 47

Bruce's disappearance had everyone terrified. The previous night, he'd refused to let anyone follow him. His bodyguards, bound by duty and fear, dared neither to disobey nor lose sight of him. They could only follow discreetly, but Bruce drove recklessly, losing them within minutes. Their all-night search was fruitless, intensifying their fear.

At 7:00 a.m., Joanna's alarm rang. A poor sleeper, she typically got only three or four hours of sleep, and Bruce's intrusion had reduced that to less than two hours the previous night.

In the living room, Bruce lay asleep on the couch. Significant blood loss had caused severe oxygen deprivation, resulting in his profound sleep. He remained asleep after Joanna awoke. Talia also rose and looked at Bruce with resignation. "Miss Haynes, what should we do with him?"

"Leave him be. Let him sleep."

After washing, Joanna began preparing breakfast. With Miranda away, Talia cared for Lilia, leaving Joanna to cook alone. Her preparations were simple—a sandwich, a salad with boiled eggs, or similar, accompanied by strong coffee.

As Joanna finished a sandwich, Bruce awoke. His face was even more swollen than the previous night; his left eye was grotesquely puffed, and the white bandage on his head was yellowed and stained.

"Joanna, what are you doing?"

Joanna glared at him. "It's morning. Get back to the hospital!"

"Aren't you keeping me for breakfast?"

"Please, I have to work. Stop messing around."

His tone softened. "You look exhausted. Take the day off. Work never ends; you don't need to work so hard." Joanna's heart ached. She wouldn't be working so hard if he hadn't pressured her into that agreement—an agreement that would cost her everything in three years if she failed to meet its terms, an agreement he'd forced her to sign. And now he was spouting platitudes.

"Bruce, enough. Stop the pretense. You need to go!"

"Joanna, there's been a misunderstanding!"

"I don't want to hear it! Get out!"

Joanna pushed him, attempting to force him out.

"Joanna, let me explain! There's been a misunderstanding! I didn't know the truth until yesterday…"

"Shut up! If you don't leave, don't blame me for being rude!"

As they struggled, a child's voice rang out. (The inserted promotional text was removed here.)

"Mommy! Who are you talking to? Did Davian and Irvin come back?"

Bruce froze, staring blankly at the doorway. "Who's calling you?"

Panicked, Joanna shoved Bruce toward the front door. "Just go! Get out of my house!"

Ignoring her, he moved toward the room.

"Bruce, stop! You're not going in there!"

She tried to stop him, but he was much stronger, despite his injuries.

Click! The door opened.

"Lilia!"

Fearing Bruce would frighten her daughter, Joanna rushed into the room ahead of him.

His eyes fell upon the pale, frail little girl in bed. She was strikingly beautiful, a miniature Joanna. Lilia stared back with wide, curious eyes.

"Is this…"

"You'd better leave!"

"Mommy, who's that man?"

"Don't worry about him!"

"Mommy…"

The blood rushed to Bruce's head. He'd thought Joanna had only two children; he hadn't known about her daughter. "Mommy, he looks strange. Was he hurt?"

"Lilia, be a good girl. I'll explain later, okay?"

"Okay!"

Joanna pushed Bruce again. "Bruce, please! Stop bothering me! I want peace. Please, just leave me alone!"

"Joanna, there's been a misunderstanding…"

"There's no misunderstanding. We need distance. That's all." She'd nearly died escaping the pain he'd caused her; she wanted nothing more to do with him.

"Joanna, I can explain!"

"I don't want to hear it. Just go!"

Ding Dong! The doorbell rang.

"Miss Haynes, it's Mr. Grimm!"

Relieved that Jaydon had arrived, Joanna said, "Get the door!"

Talia opened the door to Jaydon, carrying several packages.