Rush

Chapter 13

Alicia’s eyes lit up. “Great!”

Even though last night’s incident was just a misunderstanding, Alicia’s eagerness to get divorced annoyed Dalton.

“Mr. Slater, the car is ready, Nick said as he walked .

Without another word, Dalton pushed his wheelchair out.

Alicia breathed a sigh of relief. She waited for Dalton to leave after hearing Nick mention the car was ready. The villa was spotless as if last night’s chaos had never happened–no body, no blood. But as she was pregnant, Alicia’s sense of smell was sharper. As soon as she stepped out the gate, she felt nauseous.

A black Maybach was parked out front. “Mr. Slater, Mrs. Slater seems unwell. She looks like she’s about to head out, but there are no cabs nearby; she’d have to walk to the community entrance. Should we give her a ride?” Nick asked.

Dalton, sitting in the backseat with a hawk–like gaze, asked, “You care about her, don’t you?”

Nick quickly replied, “Not at all!”

Dalton narrowed his eyes, looking at Alicia through the rearview mirror, recalling last night’s misunderstanding. “Reverse the car,” he ordered.

“Yes, Mr. Slater.”

The car backed up to Alicia’s side. She was surprised, wondering, “Why does it come back after reaching the doorway? Does Dalton see me vomiting and get suspicious again?

The window slowly rolled down, and a pale but well–defined hand reached out, offering her a silvery–white handkerchief. Alicia was puzzled. “For me?”

Dalton said offhandedly. “If you don’t want it, just toss it.”

A sudden panic surged in Alicia’s heart. She took the handkerchief as if in a daze, about to say thank you when the window rolled up, and the car sped off, leaving a trail of dust. Alicia stood there speechless. She thought, ‘He is as unpleasant as ever! But he did see me vomiting, right? Did he back up just to give me the handkerchief? Maybe this man isn’t so detestable after all.

Alicia unfolded the handkerchief and saw a delicate pink and white peony embroidered with golden thread in the lower right corner. ‘Is Dalton really using such a flashy handkerchief? She shrugged off the thought, wiped the corner of her mouth, and headed out.

Alicia arrived at the hospital. “Doctor, I’ve made up my mind. I can’t keep this baby. How long would I have to wait to schedule a termination?” Alicia asked, her fingers nervously intertwined and

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She was getting divorced in a week, and even if they weren’t splitting up. Dalton wouldn’t want her to have his child. From his reaction, it was clear- truly didn’t want this baby. After the divorce, she would be alone, and being pregnant would make things harder. She had thought it over all night and decided to end the pregnancy.

The doctor, puzzled, said, “Do you know how many people wish they could have kids but can’t? Oh, you young folks these days… Alright, let’s do some tests first, and then I’ll schedule you in.”

“Thank you, Doctor. Alicia flashed him a weak smile.

After the tests and receiving the reports, the doctor read them and excitedly said, “You have three gestational sacs in your uterus! That means you’re carrying triplets, which is very rare and special. Ms. Mayer, are you sure you don’t want to keep them? What about the father? If he knew you were carrying triplets, he’d be thrilled!”

If Dalton knew, he probably wouldn’t even give her a choice; he would force her to have the termination. Alicia stared at the ultrasound report, wavering. The doctor had told her that she might wouldn’t be able to get pregnant again if she didn’t keep this baby. The

know she was pregnant yet, so the choice was all hers.

er family didn’t

Half an hour later, Alicia lay on the surgical table for the termination. Her hand was clenched

tightly, her breathing uneven.

“Ms. Mayer, we’re about to start. We’ll administer anesthesia first. Don’t be afraid, stay calm, and take deep breaths. It’ll be over quickly and won’t hurt,” the doctor comforted her.

Alicia’s heart ached at the thought of losing her children soon. Just as the doctor was about to start the anesthesia, she suddenly changed her mind. “I’m sorry, Doctor, I can’t go through with the surgery!”

The doctor was taken aback, but Alicia had already climbed down from the surgical table.

She had made up her mind. Even if Dalton didn’t want the baby, and no matter how tough things got, this was her child. She was determined to keep it! After the divorce, she would have no ties to Dalton anymore. She would raise her child alone, and if someday the child asked about their father, she’d simply say that he had passed away,

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