Feeling nervous about what might happen, Diana asked Brian, "Will everything be okay?"

Brian looked at her with a warm smile, "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Diana was moved. "What if I had taken her necklace?" she asked naughtily.

Brian laughed. "I know you never would, that's how I knew she was lying."

Everything Brian said really made Diana feel he had changed. She didn't want to show how happy she was, so she turned her face to the other side and said, "I'm going to have some food. I am starving."

***

At that moment, Carol was at home, gazing at a test paper in her hand. She was thinking about what the doctor had said to her earlier that day, "Congratulations! You are pregnant. The baby conceived six weeks ago."

Carol recorded her periods every month; hence she knew already that she was late. Still, she never thought she would be pregnant again so soon. Grasping the paper, she sat all day in the house, not knowing what to do.

Late in the evening, she heard the lock on the front door opening, and Kyle appeared at the door.

"Have you had dinner?" she asked, making sure to keep her voice even.

Kyle nodded. This was generally their only topic of conversation recently.

Then, not wanting to put it off, Carol showed Kyle the paper and said, "Kyle, I am pregnant again. This really is our chance to start over, and…"

But before she could finish her sentence, Kyle threw the paper in her face.

Carol was stunned and stood frozen on the spot.

"Bastard," Kyle cursed. Six weeks ago? So, it was the night she slept with Chapman Miller?

"What?" Carol heard what Kyle said, was he really talking that way about their baby?

"We can't have this bastard," Kyle said coldly and walked back out the front door.

Carol covered her belly and sat on the floor. "Kyle, do you really hate me that much? Why did you even marry me?" she thought. Then she began to cry and murmured through her tears, "Baby, Mummy is sorry. I can't keep you. Your father doesn't love you."

Struggling to stand up, Carol was determined to do the right thing for the baby and called the doctor, "Hello? I want to have an abortion."

Afraid that she would lose the courage to end the pregnancy, Carol made an appointment for the following day.

The next day, Kyle sat with Chapman Miller for lunch. Thinking that Chapman was the father of Carol's baby, Kyle felt revolted. But he needed Chapman to achieve his goal. So, he forced himself to smile and chat naturally.

Having several drunk cups of wine, Chapman sighed pitifully.

"Mr. William, I was so drunk last time that I didn't get to enjoy the beauty you brought with you to the bar. Could you invite Carol out to see me again?"

Kyle was shocked. What did he mean? So they didn't sleep together that night? Was the baby his?!

Realizing what he had done, Kyle grabbed his car key and rushed out.

As this was going on, Carol lay trembling on the operating table. She had chosen to take the operation without anesthesia.

The doctor tried to persuade her not to, but Carol was determined. Before the operation, the doctor sighed and said, "I have to warn you that this is going to be very painful."

Still, Carol remained resolute. She whispered to the baby, "Please forgive me. I can't have you. But I will remember you forever."

"It's okay. I can bear it," Carol answered.

The doctor shook her head and went about preparing the equipment.

As the doctor began the procedure, Carol felt her feelings for Kyle were gone, once and for all.

Carol could only think that the baby would soon be gone, and her tears came pouring out. She thought this must be the most grievous thing one could do in the world.

Suddenly, the doctor shouted out, "God! It's hemorrhaging!"

Carol started to feel more and more sleepy and couldn't keep clear-headed anymore. It occurred to her that death might be the best ending for her; at least that way, she could die with her baby.

Carol had put Diana down as her emergency contact, so a nurse at the hospital called Diana as soon as the complications occurred. She was able to get to the hospital just after Carol had been brought back to her room. When she got there, she saw Carol lying on the bed, looking deathly pale.

"Diana…" Carol murmured hoarsely.

Diana wiped away her tears and squeezed out a smile, "I am here."

Carol reached out and touched Diana's face. "Don't cry. I am sorry to make you worry about me."

Despite Carol's situation, Diana couldn't help being annoyed. "Why didn't you tell me about this before? If the hospital hadn't called me, what then?"

Carol's mind was drifting, and she barely heard Diana's question. Minutes later, she looked up and said, "Diana, I won't be able to have children anymore, right?"

"Don't think like that. The first thing you should do is rest. You are still young. You still have time."

"Don't lie to me. I heard them talking about it…"

Earlier, the doctors had mentioned that she might never be able to get pregnant again because of the hemorrhage.

"It's better this way, I suppose. I don't want a baby whose father despises it."

Diana couldn't keep herself calm anymore and held Carol in her arms. She cried out, "Carol, you shouldn't be treated this way!"

Carol smiled bitterly. She never thought her marriage with Kyle would go like this.

After a while, Carol uttered, "Diana, I want to go home."

"But you are still weak," Diana said hesitantly.

Carol winked at Diana. "You are always worrying about me. But seriously, I hate the smell of hospitals. Please take me home."

Seeing that Carol was truly determined, Diana gave up persuading her.

Carol m.o.a.n.e.d as she tried to stand.

"Carol, are you sure you're okay?" Diana asked.

Swallowing the pain, Carol forced herself to carry on. She slumped into the wheelchair, and Diana pushed her out to the taxi rank.