Ling Chuxia’s hands clenched tightly, her nails digging cruelly into her palms, but she was oblivious to the pain.
"I can’t keep this child! I don’t want this child to be like me—without a family, without a father, without anyone to rely on!"
"I want to have the surgery; I don’t want this child. Please arrange it as soon as possible!"
Ling Chuxia managed to force out these words before suddenly standing up and rushing out of the doctor’s office.
She had to terminate the pregnancy; she couldn’t hesitate any longer because once she hesitated, perhaps, she wouldn’t be able to go through with it.
Ling Chuxia ran until she was breathless and finally stopped, gasping for air. Sharp pains flared in her abdomen, and she couldn’t help but lean against the wall, collapsing weakly to the ground.
Initially, this child was just a tool, a mission for her, and she hadn’t felt any emotion towards it at all; so why was it that now, when she needed to terminate it, it was so hard to let go? Why was it so painful?
Ling Chuxia’s eyes dropped to her flat belly, her sight gradually fogging up, blurring her vision. Her hand slowly caressed her stomach, and her voice, when she spoke, shook tremendously.
"I’m sorry... baby, I’m sorry. Mommy has no choice but to let you come into this world. I’m so sorry..."
By the end, she was sobbing uncontrollably, her tears dropping with a splash onto the back of her hand.
Ling Chuxia insisted on the procedure, and the doctor had no choice but to quickly schedule the surgery for two days later. He also advised her to rest well and manage her emotions during these two days.
However, during these days, Ling Chuxia was mostly dazed and disoriented. The moment she closed her eyes, the plaintive voice of a child would involuntarily appear in her mind, mournfully asking her, "Mommy, why don’t you want me? Why don’t you want me..."
That voice was sorrowful, resentful, mournful, and desperate...
Ling Chuxia couldn’t utter a word, only kept on saying sorry, sorry, sorry...
"Chuxia, wake up, Chuxia! Please wake up!"
She faintly heard that familiar anxious voice at her side, Ling Chuxia wanted to open her eyes, but her whole being felt trapped, still caught in that painful nightmare.
Shi Che looked at Ling Chuxia, his expression agonized, his features almost contorting together, his forehead covered with cold sweat, his mouth opening and closing as he muttered something inaudibly, looking like he was enduring something terrifyingly painful; seeing her, his heart was stung sharply.
She hadn’t slept well for those nights, but he hadn’t expected her to fall into such a nightmare.
His brows were deeply furrowed, yet his actions grew gentler, gently patting her face, his voice deep, "Don’t be scared, Chuxia, it’s just a nightmare. Wake up, it’ll be okay once you wake up."
Listening to his voice, the pain on Ling Chuxia’s face gradually dissipated, her brows relaxed, her long, curly eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze was still confused, carrying the panic of the nightmare; she stared blankly at him, her eyes unfocused.
Shi Che wasn’t in a hurry, simply opening his arms, gently pulling her into his embrace, then his large hand caressed her back with slow, gentle strokes, his deep voice softly saying in her ear, "Don’t be afraid, it was just a nightmare, I’m here..."