Regrt 55

Chapter 55

His eyes were dark. “Can’t it be for some other reason?”

“Such as?” I didn’t deny the fact that I was testing him.

He pursed his lips. “I just want you to be healthy.”

“Sounds just like a birthday wish for elders at home.”

A thought crossed my mind and I smiled instantly. “Save that for next month at Grandpa’s birthday banquet.”

Wishing for my health.

Wishing for a hundred years of harmony with Jessica?

When the nurse came to dra?

blood, as she disinfected my arm, I instinctively recoiled, my body tensing

I had been afraid of needles since I was little.

When I had fallen ill as a child, Dad would hold me, Mom would hold my other hand, comforting me during injections or blood tests.

There would even be rewards.

In the years since then, my health has been decent. I could handle common colds, and even with severe ones, I could just make do with some normal medicine. I rarely needed to draw blood.

But I was still afraid of needles.

However, I had already grown up. I was scared, but I no longer had my parents.

“Don’t be afraid,”

C

Suddenly, a warm, dry hand tightly enveloped my other hand, the thumb gently rubbing the back of my hand as he comforted me. “I’m here with you.”

“You’re here with me, but it’s me who will feel the pain.”

“Then you can pinch me when it hurts, and I’ll bear the pain with you,” he said.

I lowered my head, looking at the man who used to always tower above me, now half–crouched beside me. My heart seemed to fill up with something, mixed with a touch of sadness, and I couldn’t help muttering, “But you can’t always be with me.”

My voice was so low that he couldn’t hear what I said. What did you say?”

“Nothing.” I shook my head.

Some words, even if spoken, would only embarrass me. They would be better kept buried in my heart.

After the blood draw, I went to the ultrasound room arranged by the director.

Ryan waited outside.

The doctor applied a coupling agent, wiping me with tissues after each section.

+15 BONUS

My heart was pounding faster than ever.

I had expected Ryan to find out about my pregnancy sooner or later, but not this soon.

Perhaps the director had told the doctor about my identity. As she looked at my abdomen, she smiled and said, “Mrs. Frost, you’re pregnant. Did you know?”

“I… knew.” I pursed my lips. “How’s the baby developing?”

“The fetus is developing very well. It’s nine weeks. Look, you can already see the little hands and feet.”

“Really…”

She turned the screen towards me, and I saw the tiny life inside me. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

Happy, excited, yet saddened.

“Mrs. Frost, are you… alright? This is good news, why are you crying?”

“Because…” I wiped my tears. “I’m about to get a divorce. I can’t give the baby a complete family.”

With a trace of hope, I pleaded, “Doctor, can you please not write the pregnancy on the examination report?”

“Don’t want Mr. Frost to know? Mrs. Frost, Mr. Frost will surely be happy to know that you’re pregnant. Perhaps he’ll change his mind? You’re still young, unaware of how important a complete family is to a child. In your current situation, instead of getting a divorce, why not try to salvage this marriage?”

The doctor, nearing fifty, seemed to be a specialist arranged by the director, speaking with great earnestness.

I forced a bitter smile on my face. “Even if his heart isn’t with me?”

“Alas, once you become a mother, you can’t just think for yourself anymore. Think about it, which child doesn’t want a father? They’re easily bullied at school without one.”

Listening to this, bitterness overwhelmed me.

Seeing that I had become silent, the doctor sighed. “I’m sorry, I can’t help you with this. I need to truthfully document every examination report.”

As I got up from the examination bed, the ultrasound report was already handed to me.

Every step toward the door felt unusually difficult.