My Secret Billionaire Husband Chapter 5 - 5 5 I Plan to Give Birth to This Child

For twenty long years, his world remained shrouded in absolute darkness, a void he believed he had finally come to accept. Had he never encountered a spark of light or warmth, he would have remained content within that familiarity. Yet, having once witnessed such radiant beauty, the thought of retreating into the shadows became intolerable. If this woman truly was his savior, he was determined to claim her, regardless of the cost.

*

With her body aching from exhaustion, Joanna Lawrence emerged from the hotel. No sooner had she stepped onto the sidewalk than her phone began to ring—it was Annie Lawrence.

“Joanna,” Annie’s voice drifted through the line, eerily sweet and gentle, “we should have a talk.”

Joanna gripped her device tightly, exhaling a sharp breath before replying in a frigid tone, “I have absolutely nothing to discuss with you.”

“Truly?” Annie giggled. “What if the topic concerns Jeremy Lawrence? Would you still refuse to chat, Joanna?”

Jeremy Lawrence?

Joanna’s expression hardened instantly. Clenching her teeth, she demanded, “What do you mean by that, Annie?”

Ignoring the question, Annie merely laughed softly. “I’ll be waiting for you at the Radiant Hotel, Joanna. If you don’t show up, consider our ties permanently severed.”

*

Upon reaching the restaurant, Joanna found Annie already settled in their private booth. Looking polished with meticulous makeup, Annie wore a black, form-fitting dress that highlighted her silhouette. As she gestured, a faint, lingering trail of perfume drifted into the air. Spotting Joanna, she offered a faint smile. “You’ve arrived. Why don’t you take a seat?”

Joanna remained standing, her gaze icy. Unfazed, Annie coolly produced a check from her handbag and slid it across the table with elegant precision.

“Ten million dollars, Joanna. I trust this sum will provide you with a life of comfort.”

Lifting her chin, Annie displayed a flash of arrogance and thinly veiled condescension. “I’m aware that Jeremy’s health is a massive financial burden, and your current work as a background extra must be grueling.”

“This money will make life considerably easier for both you and your brother.”

Joanna stared at the check, her face a mask of indifference. “Let’s skip the pleasantries and get to the point, Annie,” she said, smoothing her hand over her midsection. “I assume you overheard everything last night. I am carrying David’s child, and I have decided to see this pregnancy through.”

“Naturally, you must divorce David first. Otherwise, my child would be born as a bastard.”

“David is on the verge of taking control of the Benington Group, and he cannot afford any scandals during this transition. I want you to go to the Benington family and personally request the dissolution of your engagement.”

Listening to such shameless demands, Joanna realized she no longer felt any rage. Perhaps the exhaustion of the previous night had drained her ability to feel upset. All she felt now was a cold sense of irony.

She smirked at her sister. “Does David know you’re orchestrating this, Annie?”

She recalled how David had seemed less than thrilled when the pregnancy was mentioned the night before. To him, the child was clearly an inconvenient mistake. With his sights set on the Benington Group, he would never make his affair with Annie public—it was far too scandalous and would damage his reputation. He almost certainly had no idea she was doing this behind his back.

Annie’s composure shattered, her eyes flashing with irritation. “Don’t flatter yourself, Joanna. David adores me. He stopped caring about you a long time ago. If not for the childhood pact between our families, do you honestly believe he would ever have chosen you?”

“Tell me, Joanna, is clinging to a man who doesn’t love you even worth the effort?”