Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Aborting the Child
Victoria Monroe’s mind was in chaos. She already felt guilty about having one child, and now she was shocked to learn she was pregnant with twins, completely disrupting all her plans.
"I... I don’t know, Rhys Hawthorne, what would you choose if you were in my position?"
Victoria Monroe looked conflicted as she lifted her eyes to meet the gaze of Rhys Hawthorne, who was very close to her.
His eyes were as black as ink, deep and distant, like waves of grass rippling in layers, endless yet soothing.
The man’s usually indifferent gaze softened with a touch of sympathy, "Ms. Monroe, I’ve told you before, no one can make choices for you in this life."
He gently wiped away her tears with his thumb, "You still have three hours; you can calm down and think clearly about what you should do."
Victoria Monroe completed all the tests while feeling restless. In the hospital’s deserted corridor, she was the only one sitting there.
The cold lights cast a pale glow on her haggard face, adding a touch of bleak whiteness.
She looked at the snowflakes dancing outside, her palm resting on her abdomen.
No one knew what she was thinking.
Assistant Woods sighed, "Boss, do you want Ms. Monroe to keep the child?"
This situation involved not only Victoria Monroe and Julian Fordham but also Rhys Hawthorne.
Three years ago, Rhys Hawthorne left Kenton, thinking he had completely given up on Victoria Monroe and was ready to start his own life.
But to his surprise, he put all his energy into work, avoiding any romantic entanglements.
If Victoria Monroe broke up with Julian Fordham and got together with Rhys Hawthorne, the Hawthorne Family would not accept a divorced woman marrying into their family.
If this woman lost her fertility, Old Master Hawthorne might break Rhys Hawthorne’s skull with his cane.
Even if Victoria Monroe kept the child and remained fertile, with two children from her ex-husband, the Hawthorne Family would be even less accepting!
No matter how this game is played, it’s a dead end.
Rhys Hawthorne must understand this clearly, yet he still persists in helping Victoria Monroe with all his heart.
Unless he never intended to possess her or be with her.
In the Hawthorne Family, there are many romantics. From Assistant Woods’ understanding of their family, if Rhys Hawthorne doesn’t end up with Victoria Monroe, he’s likely to die lonely.
After all, his elders are all hopeless romantics, one more than the other.
His second uncle never married, and his third uncle became a monk.
Rhys Hawthorne isn’t much better off.
Assistant Woods thought with worry, why wasn’t Rhys Hawthorne the one to be with Victoria Monroe in the first place?
Why are there so many ’whys’ in this world? It’s mostly filled with regrets and unrequited love.
Victoria Monroe’s torment is no different from Rhys Hawthorne’s.
Like Julian Fordham, the three of them stood at a fork in the road shrouded in darkness.
No one can foresee what the chosen path will ultimately become.
Mount Cinder.
Julian Fordham was bedridden, having eaten something that made him feel cold again. He had a persistent high fever, and the joints in his body ached faintly.
He was wide awake, staring at the snowstorm outside.
This night, he felt an inexplicable anxiety.
Clearly, by dawn, he would be able to see Victoria Monroe again, only a few hours away.
But this night felt particularly long, as if dawn would never arrive.
"By the way, how is that woman doing?"
Corbin Prescott perked up and answered, sipping strong tea, "She’s out of money and has moved back to her rental apartment."
"Once the immigration application is approved, send her abroad and make sure she never comes back. I don’t want to see her ever again in this lifetime."
Julian Fordham spoke of Rachel Hayes with no emotion, his mind solely occupied by the provocative messages she sent to Victoria Monroe.
"Understood, but Boss, I think the Madam is serious this time. If you keep entangling with her, it might backfire," Corbin Prescott cautioned.
A bitter smile flitted across Julian Fordham’s lips, "I know, but if you want me to truly let go, I can’t do it. Worst case, after the divorce, I’ll pursue Victoria again. If a year doesn’t work, then ten years."
His hand, connected to an IV, clenched tightly, gripping the blanket viciously, his eyes filled with obsession, "Anyway, I will never let go!"
Nighttime.
The medicine had worn off, and the old woman awoke.
The small night light on the bedside table was on. She paused for a moment, realizing she had been transferred to the nursing home.
The room was quiet; Victoria Monroe was likely asleep. She didn’t want to disturb her granddaughter’s rest, so she carefully supported herself to get to the bathroom.
She was already trying to be careful, hoping not to cause any more trouble for Victoria Monroe.
However, as she stood up, her vision suddenly went black, followed by a dizzying spin, and she fell harshly to the ground.
The old woman wanted to call for help but realized she was in a dire condition, unable even to get up, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.
She lay curled up on the floor, feeling life slipping away.
She thought that if she died, Victoria Monroe would be all alone in this world.
She couldn’t die; she had to live.
In her final moments, the old woman shakily pressed the emergency button with all her strength.
*
The three hours had passed.
Dr. Lee approached Victoria Monroe, "Miss Monroe, have you made your decision?"
Victoria Monroe stood up slowly, "Yes, I’ve made my decision."
"And your choice is?"
"To terminate the pregnancy."
"Alright, please come with me to sign some risk forms."
Victoria Monroe clenched her clothes tightly, following Dr. Lee.
"These require your personal signature, and this part requires a family member’s signature. Miss Monroe, your family member..."
Victoria Monroe felt a pang in her heart, just about to say she had no family, when Rhys Hawthorne stepped forward with a steady and strong voice, "I’ll sign."
Victoria Monroe gave him a grateful look, "Thank you."
Rhys Hawthorne raised his hand to sign. His handwriting was strong and bold, much like his character, with a natural grace.
"Alright, Miss Monroe, follow me to the operating room."
Victoria Monroe watched as the gray-white door slowly opened, with the anesthetist, doctor, and nurse already waiting.
She trembled with nervousness.
Rhys Hawthorne lightly encircled 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."
Victoria Monroe softly replied, "Okay."
She gently pushed Rhys Hawthorne away and slowly walked inside.
The door closed slowly under Rhys Hawthorne’s gaze. In truth, at that moment, he wanted so much to hold Victoria Monroe back, to tell her not to terminate the two children.
Besides the regret for the loss of life, it was more out of concern for her health.
His love would never disappear just because she was no longer pure.
What he liked was, and always had been, her unique soul.
But he wouldn’t interfere with her choice, fearing she might regret it in the future.
Victoria Monroe changed into surgical scrubs and lay on the cold operating table, the blinding white light shining into her eyes.
She seemed to see seventeen-year-old Julian Fordham standing in the wind, casting her a smile, saying, "Victoria, don’t forgive the twenty-seven-year-old me."
The anesthetist spoke, "Miss Monroe, if you’re ready, we’ll start the anesthesia."
"Okay."
Victoria Monroe closed her eyes, tears slowly rolling down her cheeks...