Chapter 7: Painless Abortion
"What's going on?" Jessica asked, finally understanding the situation. "Wasn't the money for the operation covered by the offender's insurance?"
Jessica's operation after the accident was fairly expensive and a lot of money had been spent on her son's burial expenses as well. Before they released Jessica from the hospital, Dolores also gave her a little money, explaining that it was what was left from the offender's insurance claim.
Dolores wasn't sure what to say, and it was too difficult for her to find the right words.
After Dolores was silent for several moments, it was a clear confession of her lies. She was such a young woman, and it was impossible for her to raise such a significant amount of money legally. Jessica's heart shattered, and she didn't want to believe the facts in front of her. "You … don't tell me you sold yourself…" Jessica grabbed Dolores's wrist. "You can't give birth to this baby. We must go to the hospital before this pregnancy progresses any further."
"Why?" Dolores asked, trying to pull her hand from Jessica.
"If you give birth to the baby, your life will be ruined!"
Jessica couldn't let Dolores give birth to a baby that wasn't her husband's. If anyone knew, her life would never be the same.
"Mom, please. I want to give birth to the baby," Dolores begged.
No matter how hard Dolores begged, Jessica didn't agree, and she was determined not to let Dolores go through with it.
Jessica took Dolores to the hospital that day.
When Dolores refused to go, Jessica even threatened to kill herself.
Dolores had no choice but to go with her mother, not wanting to lose the last of her family.
*****
Abortion required the patient to go through several tests. When Jessica went to get the results, she left Dolores alone on a bench in the hall with her hands covering her stomach.
Her tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks. She didn't know what to do and felt extremely helpless.
"Matthew, I'm fine. Don't be so nervous, it's just a tiny burn." Helen smiled lightly.
She was wearing a tight, black skirt that fit her full-figured body well, along with a suit jacket draped over her shoulders. Matthew, meanwhile, wore a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his muscular arms wrapped protectively around Helen's arms.
He looked at her with concern in his eyes. "You've been scalded. It will leave a scar if it's not treated properly."
Helen leaned into Matthew's chest. "If it leaves a scar, will you find me ugly?"
"Nonsense!"
Helen giggled, knowing Matthew wasn't a superficial person.
That voice… Dolores raised her head slowly and saw Helen leaning on Matthew and approaching together down the corridor. They looked like a match made in heaven.
The scene made Dolores feel like she was like a clown because she lost her virginity at a young age, had a baby in her belly, and the identity of its father was unknown.
Dolores watched the two until she felt herself losing her presence of mind when a hint of amazement flashed under her eyes.
"Next patient please."
The door of the operating room opened, and a nurse stood in the doorway, allowing a young woman to pass by who covered her abdomen with hands while mumbling, "If it's a painless abortion, why's it still so fucking painful?"
Matthew's eyebrows furrowed as his gaze fixed on Dolores's face. She'd showed him before how much she cared about the baby in her belly, but now he found her waiting for painless abortion? He found himself growing hot in anger.
Helen followed the direction of Matthew's gaze and looked over… The moment she saw Dolores, she felt the woman looked familiar, but she couldn't remember where she'd seen her before.
Helen looked at Matthew. "Do you know her?"
"No," Matthew lied coldly, curling his lips.
Matthew had placed a lot of labels on Dolores. For him, her private life was messy, based on the fact someone knocked her up at such a young age. She showed her motherly love in front of him, but she ended up deciding to get an abortion behind his back. What a scheming woman!
"Have you thought it through?" the nurse asked, confirming with Dolores again and again.
Dolores didn't want others to know about her predicament.
Although she was extremely reluctant, heartbroken, and feeling helpless, she nodded. "I've thought it through."
"Then come with me."
Dolores lowered her head, not looking at anyone, and followed the nurse into the operating room. The operating room was closed and completely isolated from the situation outside.
Helen was slightly uneasy when she noticed Matthew was angry at seeing the other woman.
She reached out and held his arm, speaking gently. "Matthew."
Matthew's face was stony. "Let's go."
Helen's hand holding his arm tightened a bit. She looked back at the operating room's closed door then at Matthew's reaction. It seemed like he knew the woman, but she'd been with him for so long and there'd never been another woman by his side. She was extremely certain she was the only woman. But who was the woman they saw just now? Why was he so angry?
"Matthew, the woman just now…"
Matthew hugged Helen and refused to have that conversation. "It's not important, just forget about it."
Helen could only nod. Despite being curious, she knew better than to ask about it anymore.
In the operating room, when Dolores saw the shiny, sterile instruments, she flinched. No, she couldn't give up her child. She refused!
"Lie down," the doctor instructed.
"I've decided not to go through with it." Dolores shook her head, turned around, and ran.
She ran so fast and was too panicked to pay attention to what was in front of her she collided with a man and a group of people.
She covered her face and apologized repeatedly. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
"Dolores?"
Sampson thought it was her, but wasn't certain because she was covering her face, so he tried to ask.