Chapter 4 Pregnancy

"Joanna!"

Anthony's voice boomed, his patience finally wearing thin.

He had offered her money, attempted to placate her, and given her numerous chances.

Yet, she remained discontent and now had the audacity to expect marriage?

"You were the one who pleaded to be my lover initially, which is the only reason we're in this situation. Do you honestly think your Peters Group would have earned my support otherwise? I've been overly kind to you - a kindness that made you forget your place," he spat bitterly.

"Yes, I came to you to secure your support, but I'm done with this arrangement. Let's go our separate ways," Joanna retorted sharply.

"Fine!"

Anthony's laugh was cold and mocking as he pointed at Joanna.

"I'm never lacking for women, yet you were the most compliant. Today, however, you've lost that edge. Since you've made your decision, so be it."

Joanna suppressed the nausea rising in her stomach and managed to mutter, with a bitter taste lingering in her throat. "Thank you, Mr. Dixon."

After receiving the response, Anthony stormed off, his anger palpable, without a backward glance.

As he said, he was never short of women.

The only reason their relationship had dragged on for three years was because of her relentless attempts to win his favor, hoping for a scrap of genuine affection.

However, it had all been a mirage. She had been irresistibly drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.

Now she had awakened and no longer felt the need to pretend.

He had cast her aside as effortlessly as one would discard a useless object.

Joanna destroyed every important document she had managed.

The sound of tearing paper echoed in her ears.

With each shred, a sense of liberation grew within her.

She was finally free.

Having dealt with all the paperwork, Joanna headed home.

More accurately, she returned to the apartment they had shared.

Anthony had never brought her to his own place. They usually met in hotels or his office for their clandestine encounters, which was why he had purchased an apartment close to his workplace for convenience.

The apartment was registered under her name.

The apartment felt cold and deserted. Joanna's last visit coincided with Anthony's return from overseas when he had summoned her there.

She had intended to pack up her things but ultimately left only with the costly jewelry and gold bars Anthony had bestowed upon her.

She deposited these valuables in a bank's safe deposit box that very night.

Unlike Anthony, Joanna knew she needed to carve out her own escape route.

The aftermath left her with a severe headache, prompting her to book a room at a hotel nearby.

No sooner had she collapsed onto the bed than her thoughts relentlessly turned back to her work responsibilities.

Originally, when Anthony had transferred a jewelry project to the Peters Group, she had diligently followed up, distrusting Kyson's capability to manage it adequately. As the overseer of financial transactions and specifics, she felt uneasy about relinquishing control to someone else and her concerns lingered.

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the ringing of her phone.

It was her friend Charlee Howard on the line, her voice lively and barely audible over the blaring music in the background.

"Joanna, come out for a drink! I've got eighteen gigolos here, all of them eighteen. Plus, your blind date's arrived," Charlee announced.

Had Charlee not mentioned it, Joanna would have nearly forgotten about the setup.

She agreed to the blind date solely to appease Kyson.

Now that she had severed all connections with Anthony, she no longer required a pretend boyfriend. Her plan was to finish transitioning her responsibilities at work, then move abroad and start anew.

Blind dates were the last thing on her mind.

Her intention was to meet the guy and clarify everything upfront, hoping to sidestep the usual blind date awkwardness.

Joanna asked Charlee for the venue details, threw on her coat, and drove to the location.

The bar was alive with strobing lights and an energetic vibe.

Upon arrival, Joanna spotted Charlee cozying up in a booth with a young man, playfully pouring drinks into his mouth directly from hers. "Come on, I'm giving you a shot. Let's see if you're up for it."

It was nearly unbearable to witness.

"Where is he?" Joanna inquired, sliding into the booth next to Charlee.

With a reluctant pat on the young gigolo's rear, Charlee sent him off and gestured towards the dance floor.

"See the one over there? He's the life of the party, practically fused with his dance partner."

Joanna's gaze followed to where Charlee pointed.

On the dance floor, a man laughed cheekily while dancing intimately with a woman, occasionally tossing money into the air. The crowd around him erupted in cheers and shouts.

He exuded the aura of a pampered playboy.

"Dylan Brennan? My brother wouldn't set me up with someone like him," Joanna muttered, disbelief coloring her tone.

He was meant to be a composed and stable gentleman.

Joanna grabbed a glass of wine, yet its aroma intensified her queasiness.

Before she could set it down, Charlee grabbed it and took a sip, savoring the taste. "When he walked in, he really looked the part-like a commanding CEO. But a few drinks later, he's completely let his guard down."

It was evident that Joanna and Dylan wouldn't have a serious conversation today.

With the music pounding loudly, Joanna had no intentions of lingering.

Just as she diverted her gaze, Dylan caught her eye, toasted her from afar with his glass, and flashed a daring smile.

"I've got things to handle. I'm heading out," Joanna announced.

It wasn't easy for Charlee to meet her, so she reminded her loudly, "Your medical report is ready. The hospital ensures patient confidentiality, so it's up to you to view it. Want me to send you the digital copy?"

Given the Peters family's history of genetic illnesses and her mother's demise from cervical cancer, Joanna was diligent about her regular health screenings.

With Charlee employed at a hospital, she effectively served as Joanna's personal physician by default.

"Yes," Joanna responded.

Her phone buzzed with a new email notification.

All test results were clear.

About to pocket her phone, she was halted by a line in the gynecology section. "Pregnancy confirmed - twin live fetuses, ultrasound gestational age (8 weeks and 3 days)."

Joanna was completely taken aback.