Chapter 48

"Joann, I've brought you some breakfast and some daily necessities" Jaydon began, but stopped short, noticing Bruce.

"What's he doing here?" Jaydon asked.

"Jay, don't get me wrong! I don't know why he's here. He just showed up." Joann replied.

Bruce tightened his grip on Joann's shoulder, glaring at Jaydon. "Joann and I are married. We don't need your interference."

Joann struggled. "Bruce, we're divorced!"

"We can remarry," he insisted.

"You're crazy! Let go of me!"

Jaydon frowned. "Joann, what is he doing here?" He suspected Bruce had spent the night. The thought infuriated him.

Bruce sneered, "Why can't I be here?"

"Jay, I'll explain later! Bruce, you need to leave! I'll call the police if you don't!"

Bruce looked grimly at Joann. "Joann, I'm asking again: who is the father of the child?"

Joann's eyes flashed with anger. "I've told you countless times. The child is not yours!"

"I don't believe it. I'm taking her for a paternity test!"

"You have no right to take my child! I gave birth to her after our divorce. She has nothing to do with you!"

Ignoring her, Bruce moved to take Lilia. He was determined to get a paternity test that day. He couldn't believe Joann had moved on so quickly.

"Don't you touch my child, you lunatic!" Jaydon shouted.

Lilia cried, her small body trembling, unable to move.

"Bruce, don't touch my baby! You're scaring her!" Joann pleaded.

Enraged at the scene, Jaydon lunged, punching Bruce. "You bastard! Stop this! Haven't you harmed Joann enough? Are you only happy when you hurt her?"

Pow!

Caught off guard, Bruce staggered back, touching the blood on his lip.

Chapter 48 Bam!

Infuriated, Bruce retaliated with a harder, more ruthless punch. It seemed intended to kill.

Boom! Bam! Pow!

The two men brawled, their fight spilling from the bedroom into the living room, smashing furniture. The living room was in ruins.

"Stop it! Stop fighting!" Joann cried.

"Mommy!" Lilia wailed in fright.

Talia, equally stunned, rushed to comfort Lilia. "Jay, Bruce, stop! Stop it now!"

The fight, long anticipated, had finally erupted.

Thud! Thud!

Bruce, though aggressive, was weakened from a previous car accident and slower to react. Both men were tall—Bruce 6'2", Jaydon over six feet—and skilled fighters; one a boxer since childhood, the other trained in combat. They fought like ferocious animals.

Soon, both men were bruised and battered. Struggling, Bruce grabbed a wine bottle, aiming it at Jaydon's head.

"Stop fighting! Jay, watch out!" Joann screamed.

Terrified, she shielded Jaydon.

Pow!

The bottle struck Joann's arm, narrowly missing her head.

"Ah!" she screamed, her arm broken. She fainted from the pain.

"Joann! Joann!" Jaydon cried, rushing to her side.

Bruce yelled, "Let go of her! Joanna is my woman!"

"Mommy!" Lilia sobbed.

"We have to get Joann to the hospital!" Jaydon said, ignoring Bruce.

Bruce forcefully pushed Jaydon aside, picking up Joann. "Joann, I'm sorry! Hang in there. I'll take you to the hospital!" With Joann unconscious, Jaydon couldn't fight him.

"Talia, look after Lilia. I'm taking Joann to the hospital!" Jaydon said, then ran after Bruce.

Left alone, Talia stared at the devastated house, too frightened to cry. "My goodness, what a mess! How am I going to clean this up?" she muttered.

Lilia continued to cry, "Mommy! Where's Mommy?"

Talia comforted her. "Lilia, your mommy's okay. She'll be back soon!"