Maxina worried about her daughter and followed Loredana. Maxina experienced it before and when she saw her daughter’s reaction, her face paled. But, Maxina didn’t quite believe it as her daughter was very conservative and obedient so she’d never had a boyfriend at school. She was always honest.
Maxina’s voice quivered as she asked, “Lola, what’s wrong with you?”
Loredana’s body stiffened and her hands on the sink clenched into a fist. She decided to give birth to the child so sooner or later Maxina would find out.
Loredana turned to look at her mother and plucked up the courage.
“Mom, I’m pregnant.”
Shocked, Maxina lost her balance for a moment and took a step back. She was unwilling to believe it as her daughter was only eighteen.
“What’s going on?” Maxina asked, finally understanding the situation. “Wasn’t the money for the operation covered by the offender’s insurance?”
Maxina’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 Maxina from the hospital, Loredana also gave her a little money, explaining that it was what was left from the offender’s insurance claim.
Loredana wasn’t sure what to say, and it was too difficult for her to find the right words.
After Loredana 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.
Maxina’s heart shattered, and she didn’t want to believe the facts in front of her. “You … don’t tell me you sold yourself…” Maxina grabbed Loredana’s wrist. “You can’t give birth to this baby. We must go to the hospital before this pregnancy progresses any further.”
“Why?” Loredana asked, trying to pull her hand from Maxina.
“If you give birth to the baby, your life will be ruined!”
Maxina couldn’t let Loredana 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,” Loredana begged.
No matter how hard Loredana begged, Maxina didn’t agree, and she was determined not to let Loredana go through with it.
Maxina took Loredana to the hospital that day.
When Loredana refused to go, Maxina even threatened to kill herself.
Loredana 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 Maxina went to get the results, she left
Loredana 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.
“Cormac, 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. Cormac, 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 Cormac’s chest. “If it leaves a scar, will you find me ugly?”
“Nonsense!”
Helen giggled, knowing Cormac wasn’t a superficial person.
That voice… Loredana raised her head slowly and saw Helen leaning on Cormac and approaching together down the corridor. They looked like a match made in heaven.
The scene made Loredana 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.
Loredana 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?”
Cormac’s eyebrows furrowed as his gaze fixed on Loredana’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 Cormac’s gaze and looked over… The moment she saw Loredana, she felt the woman looked familiar, but she couldn’t remember where she’d seen her before.
Helen looked at Cormac. “Do you know her?”
“No,” Cormac lied coldly, curling his lips.
Cormac had placed a lot of labels on Loredana. 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 Loredana again and again.
Loredana 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.”
Loredana 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 Cormac was angry at seeing the other woman.
She reached out and held his arm, speaking gently. “Cormac.”
Cormac’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 Cormac’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?
“Cormac, the woman just now…”
Cormac 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 Loredana 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.” Loredana shook her head, turned around, and ran.
New Book: Beginning with a Daring Encounter
Celsie was tired of being labeled as an introvert, workaholic, and dull virgin by her friends. Determined to prove them wrong, she made a bet that she would do something daring on her 25th birthday. Now that the day had arrived, it was time to fulfill her promise. On her daring to-do list, there was one task: a one-night stand with someone.
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