Chapter 14
The world stood still in that moment. It wasn’t just a sound – it was proof of life, a life inside me. My child. Not a “problem,” not a “burden,” but a real, existing little person. My child, who wouldn’t betray me or leave me. It had a heartbeat. This could be my only true family member.
Tears welled up in my eyes, streaming down my cheeks. I realized I wasn’t crying for what I might lose, but for what I had found. When was the last time I cried tears of happiness? I couldn’t remember the last time I focused on listening to a heartbeat, including my own, but here I was, listening to my baby’s heartbeat. My baby…
I thought of my childhood, with no parents, only the indifferent stepmother Emily, no one truly caring if I was happy, healthy, loved. And now, I had the chance to give this little life all the love and care I never had.
As the doctor moved the probe away, I almost wanted to scream for him to put it back. I instinctively placed my hand over my abdomen, as if to protect the life inside.
“This is a mistake,” I suddenly said angrily.
The doctor showed a sympathetic expression. “Don’t be too hard on yourself, this is an
unpre-”
“No, you don’t understand,” I cut him off, my voice suddenly firm, “This was a mistake coming here!”
The doctor and Karen exchanged a glance.
“Lily,” Karen said gently, “You don’t have to make a decision today. We can schedule a
follow–up appointment-”
“No need at all,” I sat up, wiped away my tears, “Forget I was ever here… I can use that money to buy diapers!”
The doctor opened his mouth to say something but seemed to find no appropriate words.
“I know you may be more concerned for me now,” I said, suddenly feeling a strange sense of relief and freedom, “But I’m fine. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me,
including the ultrasound, but I really have to go. Goodbye!”
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Chapter 14
I practically skipped out of the clinic, feeling a strange sense of liberation. I knew there were countless challenges waiting for me ahead, but for now, I just wanted to revel in the joy of this newfound discovery.
Pushing open the clinic’s door, the sunlight washed over my face, and I took a deep breath of fresh air. It felt like my first real breath. I walked towards the parking lot, thinking about how I needed to start planning immediately. I might need to distance myself from the Sullivan family’s influence, but I would find a way to protect my child, find a stable job.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed my arm, and I jumped.
“J–James?” I asked in surprise, recognizing Nathan’s bodyguard.
James’s expression wasn’t too friendly, his eyes glinting with suspicion. “Chipmunk, did you have the abortion?”
I pulled away from his grip, leaning against my second–hand rental car. “N–No, I didn’t… but wait, what are you doing here?”
Fear struck me. Did Nathan send James to monitor me? Did he know about the
pregnancy? Did he sneak into my house late at night and see the pregnancy test? No, of course he didn’t know. He wasn’t a wizard.
“Did Nathan send you?” I stopped abruptly, realizing I might have said too much.
James’s eyes widened. “Wait, you’re pregnant with Nathan’s child?”
I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. My silence had already answered his
question.
“You’re planning to have an abortion without telling him?” James’s voice raised a few
decibels.
I bit my lip, unsure how to respond. If I admitted it, James would definitely tell Nathan.
James took a deep breath, seeming to try to calm himself down. “Nathan asked me to takę care of you until you felt better. Richard told him to look after you.”
I felt a sense of relief. So Nathan didn’t know about my pregnancy. But Richard? Was he
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Chapter 14
there that day because he had already guessed what was going on?
“Why not tell Nathan?” James asked directly.
“It’s none of your business,” I deflected, “Men should stay out of women’s affairs. So let’s pretend the clinic is a doughnut shop, and you don’t have to report this to him,” I said, getting into the car, but James grabbed my arm to stop me.
James raised an eyebrow. “Listen to me, if it’s out of fear, you can let go of that idea, Nathan will do everything in his power to help you…”
“You don’t understand at all!” I immediately retorted. Letting him take care of me was one thing, letting him be a father was another, especially when he had so many
responsibilities as the heir of the Sullivan family.
“So I guess you’re planning to quit, so you can handle all this yourself…”
“I know Nathan longer than you,” James insisted, “I know he will do everything to help you because that’s the kind of person he is. He’s not the heartless monster you think he is!”
Although I didn’t want to admit it, James had a point. Telling Nathan wouldn’t result in any loss, but rather a gain. I didn’t expect him to help me, as I still felt Nathan wasn’t waiting for me to have a child, but regardless of his reaction, I owed him the truth.
“Fine,” I finally sighed, “I’ll tell him tomorrow.”
James smiled satisfactorily, until I added:
“But if he tells me to have an abortion, I promise you, you won’t see the gates of heaven!”
James raised his hands in surrender. “Believe me, that won’t happen.”
I nodded, opened the car door, and sat inside. Telling Nathan meant I would inevitably be drawn into the world of the Sullivan family, a world full of danger and crime. But for my child – our child – I was willing to take that risk.
The sound of my baby’s heartbeat echoed in my mind, filling me with a courage and determination I had never known before.
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