Chapter 191
Without overthinking it, I made a snap decision and turned back toward the hospital.
I ran straight into Ethan, who had chased after me.
"Cindy..."
"Shh!"
I pressed a finger to my lips and hurried back inside.
I didn't stop until we'd cut through two inpatient buildings and reached the secluded garden tucked behind them.
My heart hammered like I'd just run a marathon.
"Who did you see? Why are you so spooked?" Ethan had followed me the whole way. Seeing how heavily I was breathing, he couldn't help but ask.
I didn't hide it. "Leopold."
Ethan's eyes widened. "What's he doing here?"
I shook my head. "No idea."
Leopold had shown up way earlier than I'd anticipated.
If I hadn't reacted in time just now, the consequences would've been disastrous.
"Leopold is paranoid by nature. He might come looking any minute. If you trust me, I can arrange a car to get you out of here."
Ethan's gaze burned into mine, waiting for my decision.
"No need. I have my own way out."
I steadied my breathing, preparing to head back.
The moment I moved, a faint cramping sensation shot through my lower abdomen.
Ethan noticed my expression shift and immediately reached out to steady me. "Your face just went pale. Are you hurting somewhere?"
This time, I didn't refuse.
"Ethan, my stomach hurts a little."
"Don't worry. I'll take you to a doctor."
He lowered his center of gravity, as if to scoop me up.
I quickly stopped him. "Don't touch me yet."
With one hand pressed to my abdomen and the other pointing ahead, I said, "There's a wheelchair over there. Can you get it?"
Ethan rushed over and wheeled it back. "Sit down, quick."
I lowered myself carefully into the chair, fear creeping in. "Ethan, hurry."
"I've got you. Nothing's going to happen." Ethan pushed me straight toward the obstetrics department.
Along the way, security guards who witnessed the scene hurried to follow, clearing a path ahead.
I couldn't afford to feel embarrassed. My hands clutched my abdomen protectively.
The baby couldn't be in danger. It just couldn't.
"Doctor, she's pregnant and having abdominal discomfort. Please examine her right away."
The moment we entered the doctor's office, Ethan explained my situation.
The doctor didn't take offense at our urgency. She quickly ushered them out before examining me.
Just as the doctor finished her initial assessment, that cramping sensation suddenly vanished.
I released a soft breath. "Doctor, it doesn't hurt anymore."
But the doctor smiled gently. "That's good news, but the test results aren't back yet. Please wait a bit longer."
I nodded.
A few minutes later, a nurse came in with the report.
The doctor opened it immediately. Moments later, her expression changed.
Dread settled in my stomach like a stone.
"Doctor, what does the report say?"
Instead of answering directly, she asked, "The baby's father should be present for this. Could you please bring him in?"
Realizing her misunderstanding, I quickly explained, "That man earlier isn't my husband. He's just a friend. You can tell me. I can handle this myself."
The doctor looked somewhat surprised.
Out of respect, she didn't press further about the baby's father. She simply pushed the report toward me.
"The baby's development isn't healthy. You need to prepare yourself."
My heart clenched violently. I grabbed the report.
The words 'fetal developmental abnormality' stared back at me.
Those words were like sharp needles piercing straight into my heart.
"Doctor, what... what does this mean?"
The doctor sighed. "It means the fetus has a developmental defect. More detailed testing is required."
"But you're not even two months along. Standard tests won't work yet. We need more advanced equipment."
My hand trembled as I gripped the report. I couldn't believe this result.
When I'd gotten checked in Silverlight City, the doctor had always said the baby was developing normally.
How could there suddenly be an abnormality here?
I froze. Could this doctor be lying to me?
After all, Ethan had pulled plenty of stunts like this behind the scenes before. This was his territory. The possibility seemed high.
I couldn't get examined here anymore.
Mind made up, I set down the report, my expression heavy with grief. "I'm going to wash my face in the restroom. I need to think about this."
"Of course, but this examination needs to happen soon, or it could affect the baby."
"Okay. I'll be right back."
I stood and walked out.
The moment I emerged, Ethan rose from where he'd been waiting outside.
"Cindy, what did the doctor say?"
I looked up at him, watching for any flicker in his eyes.
"The doctor said there's a fetal developmental abnormality. I need more detailed testing."
Ethan looked shocked. "How is that possible?"
I shook my head. "I don't know. My head's all foggy right now. I need to wash my face and clear my thoughts."
"I'll come with you."
"No, I want to go alone. Just wait here for me."
Ethan's gaze dimmed slightly. "Alright. I'll wait for you."
When I reached the restroom, I deliberately glanced back with my peripheral vision.
Confirming no one had followed, I didn't hesitate and headed for the exit instead.
I kept checking behind me as I walked, terrified Ethan would discover my escape.
I made it safely to the hospital entrance. Seeing someone getting out of a taxi, I quickly slid in.
"Southern Medical Center."
Southern Medical Center was on the opposite diagonal of the city from here. The farthest possible distance.
Both had comparable medical resources.
Even if Ethan discovered I was gone, he wouldn't think of looking there right away.
I'd have enough time for a proper consultation.
Twenty minutes later, I got out at Southern Medical Center.
I registered and requested an appointment immediately.
The doctor ordered another examination.
A few minutes later, the results came back.
The diagnosis was the same: fetal developmental abnormality.
In that moment, I felt my world collapse.
The baby really did have a developmental abnormality.
How could this be happening?
I'd only left Silverlight City a few days ago. How could the baby go from healthy to abnormal so quickly?
I couldn't accept this reality.
"Doctor, please examine me again. I refuse to believe my baby isn't healthy."
But the doctor urged me to face the facts.
"Try not to be too upset. Tens of thousands of cases of fetal developmental abnormalities occur each year. It's quite common. And you've actually caught it early. If it had been discovered later, the damage to you would've been much worse."
I still couldn't accept it. "Then where exactly is the abnormality in my baby? Is there any possibility of treatment?"
"Please, try to stay calm! I understand your feelings, but this type of abnormality cannot be treated."
The doctor's tone was full of regret. "This is cruel to say, but I must recommend that you terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible."
When I walked out of the doctor's office, I mechanically sank into a chair in the hallway.
A dull ache seeped out from somewhere deep in my marrow, leaving me chilled to the bone. There was even something absurd about it all.
How had the tiny life that had existed within me day and night suddenly become abnormal?
To the point where termination was necessary?
This was the child I'd finally decided to keep. Why couldn't I keep it?
Was it blaming me for not choosing to keep it from the very beginning?
My trembling hand fell to my abdomen. Tears rolled down my cheeks in fat drops.
Every emotion came flooding back like a tidal wave, drowning me until I couldn't breathe.
What was I supposed to do?
I couldn't keep my baby.
"Cindy!"
Suddenly, a frantic rush of footsteps shattered my despair.