Chapter 88 Abortion
Gloria's mind was in chaos. She already felt guilty about one child, and never in her wildest dreams did she expect she was carrying twins. This completely threw all her plans into disarray.
"I... I don't know, Caspian. What would you choose if you were me?"
Gloria's face was full of conflict as she lifted her eyelids to meet Caspian's eyes, so close to hers.
Deep and distant, like rolling waves of grass stretching endlessly, yet somehow healing to the soul.
A trace of tenderness colored Caspian's usually indifferent eyes. "Gloria, I told you, no one can make life choices for you."
His fingertips brushed away her tears. "You still have three hours. You can calm down and think clearly about what to do."
Gloria finished all her tests in a state of anxiety. In the empty hospital corridor, only Gloria sat alone.
The cold lighting fell on her haggard face, adding a touch of pallor.
She watched the snowflakes dancing outside, her palm resting on her lower abdomen.
No one knew what she was thinking.
Joseph sighed. "Mr. Rivers, do you want Gloria to keep this child?"
This situation involved not just Gloria and James, but Caspian as well.
Three years ago, when Caspian left Silverlake Springs, he thought Caspian had completely given up on Gloria and started his own life.
But unexpectedly, he had poured too much energy into work, completely avoiding any romantic entanglements.
If Gloria separated from James and got together with Caspian, the Rivers family would never tolerate a divorced woman marrying into the Rivers family.
If Gloria also lost her ability to have children, Caspian's grandfather could probably crack Caspian's skull with his cane.
Taking a step back, if Gloria didn't abort the child and retained her fertility in the future, but kept two children from her ex-husband, the Rivers family would be even less tolerant!
This game, no matter how it was played, was a dead end.
Caspian couldn't fail to see this, yet he still helped Gloria wholeheartedly without hesitation.
Unless he never intended to possess her, to be with her.
The Rivers family produced devoted people. From Joseph's understanding of their family, if Caspian didn't end up with Gloria, he would most likely end up alone for the rest of his life.
After all, his elders were each more devoted than the last.
Caspian's second uncle never married. Caspian's third uncle became a monk.
Caspian wouldn't be much better off.
Just thinking about it made Joseph worried. Why wasn't Caspian the one who got together with Gloria first?
Where are there so many "whys" in this world? There are only regrets and unrequited love.
Gloria's torment was no less than Caspian's.
Like James, all three stood at a dark crossroads, with the path ahead pitch black.
No one would know what the chosen path would ultimately become.
Sunrise Peak.
James lay sick in bed. He had eaten something, but his body caught cold again. His high fever wouldn't break, and his joints ached faintly.
He couldn't sleep, watching the snowstorm outside.
This night, he felt an inexplicable panic.
Clearly, when dawn came, he could see Gloria again. Just a few more hours.
But this night felt especially long, as if no matter how long he waited, dawn would never come.
"By the way, how is Maria doing?"
John perked up and took a sip of coffee before answering, "She's out of money and moved back to her rental apartment."
"Once the immigration application is approved, send her abroad and never let her come back. I never want to see her again in this lifetime."
James mentioned Maria without any emotion, his mind full of those threatening messages she sent to Gloria.
"Understood, but Mr. Williams, I think Mrs. Williams is serious. If you keep pestering her, it'll backfire." John reminded him.
A bitter smile curved James's lips. "I know, but I can't really let go. Worst case, after the divorce, I'll pursue Gloria again. If one year doesn't work, then ten years."
The hand with the IV drip tightened, gripping the blanket hard, his eyes floating with obsession. "Anyway, I definitely won't let go!"
That night.
The medication had worn off, and Vivienne woke up.
The nightlight on the bedside table was on. After a moment to recover, she realized she was at the nursing home.
The room was very quiet. Gloria must be sound asleep. She didn't want to disturb Gloria's rest, so she carefully propped herself up to go to the bathroom.
She was already being very careful, not wanting to have another accident and trouble Gloria.
But the moment she stood up, everything went black, followed by dizziness, and her body fell hard to the floor.
Vivienne wanted to call for help but found her condition was terrible. She simply couldn't get up, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.
She curled up on the floor, feeling life slipping away.
She thought that if she died, Gloria would be all alone in this world.
She couldn't die. She had to survive.
At the last moment, Vivienne's trembling fingers used all her strength to press the emergency button.
Three hours had passed.
Quinn walked to Gloria's side. "Ms. Mitchell, have you made your decision?"
Gloria slowly stood up. "I've decided."
"And your choice is?"
"Abortion."
"Alright, please come with me to sign some consent forms."
Gloria clutched her clothes tightly and followed Quinn.
"These are for you to sign personally, and this part is for family members to sign. Ms. Mitchell, your family member?"
Gloria's heart ached. Just as she was about to answer that she had no family, Caspian stepped forward, his voice steady and strong. "I'll sign."
Gloria looked at him gratefully. "Thank you."
Caspian raised his hand to sign. His handwriting was like his personality—strong and powerful, naturally dignified.
"Alright, Ms. Mitchell, please follow me into the operating room."
Gloria saw the gray-white door slowly open. The anesthesiologist, doctors, and nurses had been waiting.
She trembled with nervousness.
Caspian gently held her body, soothingly stroking the back of her head. "I can only accompany you this far. Don't be afraid. I'll be right outside."
Gloria softly responded, "Okay."
She pushed away from Caspian and slowly walked in.
The door slowly closed under Caspian's gaze. Actually, at that moment, he really wanted to stop Gloria, to tell her not to abort these two children.
Beyond his regret for the lives, it was more out of concern for her body.
His love would never disappear because of whether she was pure or not.
What he liked, from beginning to end, was only that unique soul.
But he wouldn't interfere with her choice, afraid she would regret it later.
Gloria changed into surgical clothes and lay on the cold operating table. The harsh white light fell into her eyes.
She seemed to see seventeen-year-old James standing in the wind, showing her a smile. He said, "Gloria, don't forgive the twenty-seven-year-old me."
The anesthesiologist spoke, "Ms. Mitchell, if you're ready, we'll begin the anesthesia."
"Okay."
Gloria closed her eyes, tears slowly streaming down from the corners of her eyes.