Chapter 6

None of them reacted at first. The nurse handed over the test results. "Ms. Summer, you're about two months along. Congratulations, you're going to be a mom." Charlotte's head snapped up. There was a time she used to picture this moment, where she and Sean were with a home full of laughter and children. However, Sean had always said he wanted to focus on his career before thinking about marriage or kids. So, she had taken her pills carefully, never wanting to get in the way of his future. Yet now, after all those years of caution, fate decided to play its cruelest joke just when she had finally made up her mind to leave. Before Charlotte could process it, Kylie suddenly screamed, covered her face, and ran out of the ward in tears. "That's impossible!" Sean chased after her without a word. The nurse was left standing there, and she gave Charlotte a helpless, pitying look. Charlotte didn't know what to say anymore. The timing couldn't have been worse. Ending the pregnancy was clearly the most practical choice for everyone. However, she hesitated. Her hand rested gently on her stomach, tears blurring her vision. Growing up in an orphanage, she had always longed for a family. Now, this tiny life inside her felt like a dream she had waited her whole life for. Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. It was a voice message from Tristan, with a video attached. His voice was awkward, uneasy. "I didn't mean to record this. The woman was crying too loudly, and it's about you. I just thought you should know the truth." The video showed Kylie sobbing in Sean's arms. "What are we going to do? Now that she's pregnant, even if you want to end things, she won't let you go." Sean held her tightly, his eyes full of pity. "I don't know how it happened. We always took precautions." Kylie choked back a sob and tried to pull away. "I don't want to be a homewrecker, Sean. Maybe we really shouldn't be together." Sean caught her hand and pulled her back into his arms. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Don't worry. No one's going to come between us." The video cut off there. Charlotte's fingers trembled, and her phone slipped from her hand, hitting the floor with a sharp crack. She thought her heart had already gone numb, but at that moment, pain ripped through her again, sharp and merciless, like blades carving through what was left of it. She didn't know how long she stayed that way before Sean returned, holding a report in his hand. His eyes were red as he pointed at one of the numbers. He said, "There's something wrong with the baby. I checked with several doctors. This value is way beyond normal. There's a high chance the baby will be deformed. Charlotte, we can't keep it." Charlotte's whole body shook. Her eyes locked on that single line of data. If it hadn't been for Tristan's video, she might have believed Sean. Believed his words, believed his helplessness. "This baby is mine." Instinct took over as she grabbed his hand. "Don't worry, I won't drag you down. I'll take the baby and go far away, okay? I know you and Dr. Lundberg…" Her words faltered as a sudden dizziness hit her. She blinked, disoriented, staring at the IV drip. Then, she turned to Sean. On his face was guilt, but behind it, it was unmistakably relief and joy.