Chapter 145



Kallie messaged Brent, urgently saying she needed to leave the hospital.

Brent did not inquire why. Instead, he focused on her whereabouts and her condition.

Brent immediately agreed to help. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you out of here,” he assured her.

Reading his messages, Kallie’s anxiety lessened.

Over the following days, they devised a plan to escape.

Fortunately, Jake hadn’t completely confined Kallie.

As long as Kallie followed the treatment plan and took her medications, she was allowed some freedom. However, she was not permitted to leave her ward.

At times, Kallie felt like a closely watched prisoner. She yearned to confront Jake. Yet, whenever she requested to see him, they told her Jake was too swamped with work.

Kallie suspected he wasn’t actually busy. Rather, he was avoiding her and the pregnancy.

Then, unexpectedly, Kallie’s primary doctor appeared. His visits were rare, occurring only during significant events.

The moment Kallie saw the primary doctor, she felt a wave of nervousness wash over her. She rose from her seat and stealthily took a few steps toward the corner.

With the help of her phone’s text-to-speech function, Kallie inquired what he needed from her.

The primary doctor wore a complex expression, as if he were torn between speaking his mind and resigning to silence. Finally, after a moment of indecision, he spoke. “Kallie, I’ve come to discuss the baby you’re expecting.”

Kallie’s heart plummeted upon hearing this. She quickly typed on her phone, “Did Jake send you?”

The primary doctor paused to consider her question before nodding affirmatively.

Struggling to hold back her tears, Kallie continued typing with shaky fingers. “What does he want?”

The primary doctor cleared his throat before replying, “I need to lay out the situation for you. You’re aware that your health isn’t the strongest, and it’s hardly the ideal condition for pregnancy. Moreover, it seems you and Mr. Reeves are heading toward a divorce. If that happens, the baby will be raised in a single-parent household. Given your health, do you really think you can provide a happy life for this child?”

Kallie, now visibly upset, typed her response. “I am committed to giving my child the best life possible, without causing any trouble for Jake. If he doubts my intentions, I’m willing to put it in writing. This child is a life I want to protect, and you cannot pressure me into an abortion.”

Kallie attempted to appear rational, yet beneath the surface, unease gnawed at her.

She understood Jake’s character far too well. Once he set his mind on something, he pursued it relentlessly, compromise be damned.

Kallie felt having the doctor talk to her first wasn’t about soliciting her viewpoint. It was to brace her for the inevitable.

Nevertheless, Kallie found it impossible to resign herself to this. After all, this was her child. She could sense its heartbeat.

The primary doctor’s face took on a grave expression. “Let’s be clear: Given the state of your health, the baby won’t make it to birth, even if you decide to continue with the pregnancy.”

Kallie’s mind reeled. What was he implying?

Kallie’s eyes widened with terror as she clutched the primary doctor’s hand, silently questioning him about what he had done.

Avoiding her gaze, the primary doctor admitted reluctantly, “The treatment we administered over the last days was flawed. You wouldn’t want the baby to suffer, would you?”

Feeling as though her world was unraveling, Kallie shook silently as she fully believed the doctor’s words. She had braced herself for Jake’s schemes, but she never envisioned he would stoop to such depths.

Consumed by a torrent of anger and grief, she was struck silent. Instead, tears flooded down her cheeks as she violently cleared the table, sending items crashing to the floor.

Observing her despair, the primary doctor extended a piece of paper with a sympathetic glance. “This is the consent form. It’s more merciful to end the pregnancy, the kindest option for you and your child. Continuing it will only prolong the suffering.”

Exhausted by her own sobs, Kallie collapsed, her body crumpling to the floor as she hugged her belly, her spirit broken by the overwhelming fatigue. Never had she felt such deep exhaustion. Jake’s indifference was crushing.

The primary doctor, riddled with remorse upon seeing her pitiful condition, opted to remain silent and quickly exited.

Outside, a younger doctor awaited the primary doctor’s emergence and approached the latter swiftly. “You’re actually going to fulfill her request? If Mr. Reeves hears of this, your career is over.”

The primary doctor offered a strained, half-hearted smile. “Do I have any other option? Melinda has leverage over my family. I prefer to stay out of their conflicts. Once Kallie signs this, we are no longer involved. Even if there’s an investigation, it’s no longer our issue.”

The younger doctor cast a complex glance at the primary doctor and asked in a hushed tone, “Did you really tamper with the medication?”

The primary doctor quickly denied it, shaking his head vigorously. “That’s Jake’s child. I wouldn’t dare to interfere. You might not be aware, but Jake desperately wants a child. He’s contacted me several times, questioning whether Kallie could conceive again. What I told her was merely to frighten her. Now that I’ve spoken to Kallie, there’s no going back. We must end her pregnancy.”

Kallie wasn’t sure how long she had been crying. She rested her hand on her flat belly, a slight dread washing over her. It was as if she could no longer feel the baby’s heartbeat, a thought that filled her with terror.

Kallie eyed the consent form. Perhaps the doctor was correct. The baby was no longer viable.

Yet, she found it impossible to come to terms with it.

To continue carrying the baby felt like an act of cruelty, but the thought of letting go was unbearable.

Ever since Roderick’s death, Kallie had felt a persistent insecurity. She was painfully aware that she had no remaining family members in this world. However, if this child were born, he would be a blood connection, a real presence. She wouldn’t have to face the world completely alone.

Kallie knew that if she went through with the abortion, she would never have another child of her own.

At that very moment, Kallie received a message from Brent. He had concocted a plan to take her away the following day. It was all arranged.

Lost in thoughts of a new life after leaving the hospital, Kallie once daydreamed about escaping to the seaside, raising her child in solitude by the tranquil waters.

Now, however, Kallie felt profoundly alone.

Her phone buzzed, but Kallie lacked the energy to even glance at it.

Suddenly, the urge to flee dissipated.

Kallie realized that escaping wouldn’t change her destiny of being manipulated by others.

As the vibrations of her phone ceased, its ringtone pierced the silence.

Coming back to reality, Kallie saw it was Brent calling.

Resolute, she declined the call, gathered her thoughts, and texted him back. “Things have changed. I’ll abandon the escape for now, Mr. Hayes. Thank you for your readiness to help me.”

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