Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Mina Sherwood's fingertips were ice cold.

Cold sweat soaked her palms.

She stared fixedly at the door of the examination room.

Evelyn Ross stood quietly by her side.

She didn't offer many words.

Just silent companionship.

"Number 13, Mina Sherwood!"

A nurse's call cut through the air.

Mina stood up abruptly.

"I'm here."

Her voice trembled.

She looked back at Evelyn.

Evelyn's gaze was steady.

"Go ahead."

Mina took a deep breath.

She followed the nurse into the room.

The test results were already out.

The doctor looked at the report.

"Are you sure you don't want it?"

Mina pressed her lips together.

Her fingers clenched until they turned white.

After a long moment.

She nodded firmly.

The doctor sighed.

"So many people want children but can't have them... Your situation is special. You need a CT scan first. After the scan, you can't keep the baby. Think carefully."

Mina nodded again.

The doctor wrote out the forms.

Scheduled the procedure time.

Mina walked out of the examination room.

Evelyn immediately stepped forward.

"What's next?"

They followed the nurse.

They arrived at the entrance of the CT scan room.

There was a long line.

Most people were in pairs.

There were arguing couples.

There were friends offering support.

One girl was being escorted by her parents.

She was crying hysterically.

The parents wore masks.

Their eyes darted away.

Mina felt her heart tighten.

She grabbed Evelyn's hand.

"Evelyn, I... am I really not going to keep him?"

Evelyn sighed softly.

"Mina, you already have the answer in your heart."

Mina froze.

Evelyn looked at her.

"You've hesitated many times since we left the house."

Mina bit her lower lip.

Evelyn squeezed her hand.

"No matter what you choose, I'll support you."

The CT scan room door opened.

A nurse called out a number. "Mina Sherwood!"

Evelyn looked at her.

Mina stood rooted to the spot.

"Mina Sherwood? If you're not here, I'm calling the next one!"

The nurse urged impatiently.

Mina looked up suddenly.

"I'm here!"

She strode toward the CT scan room.

Every step felt heavy.

Marcus Valentine's face flashed through her mind.

The Valentine family would never accept her.

The child was destined for a difficult life.

The arranged marriage issue wasn't resolved yet...

She entered the CT scan room.

The nurse handed her a lead vest.

"Wear this to protect your vital organs. The CT scan has strong radiation. You absolutely cannot keep the baby after this. Lie down quickly."

Mina's hand rested on her abdomen.

It was still flat.

But a small life was growing there.

She picked up the lead vest...

Evelyn waited outside.

She understood Mina's dilemma.

An unplanned pregnancy was a major scandal in New York's social circles.

If Marcus refused to take responsibility.

Mina would become the laughingstock of the entire city.

Leaving New York was the best choice.

But...

The CT scan room door suddenly opened.

Mina walked out with red-rimmed eyes.

Evelyn went to meet her.

"Is it done?"

Mina shook her head.

Tears streamed down her face.

"Evelyn, I'm going to keep him."

Evelyn was slightly taken aback.

Then she smiled.

"Okay, then I'll be the godmother."

Mina gripped her hand tightly.

"Keeping the baby will bring a lot of trouble... I need to find a way to deal with my family first. Maybe... find a man to pretend to be my boyfriend? That way I can avoid the arranged marriage and not have to bother Alexander Vance."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

"Haven't you thought about telling the father?"

Mina fell silent.

When she discovered she was pregnant.

Her first thought was Marcus.

But she never made that call.

She knew Marcus too well.

A sense of duty would make him marry her.

But she didn't want that kind of marriage.

Evelyn said softly.

"Sometimes misunderstandings arise from self-imposed silence. If you don't ask, how will you know what he thinks?"

Mina's fingers tightened.

Evelyn continued.

"Maybe... he has feelings for you too?"

Before she finished speaking.

A familiar voice sounded.

"Mina? What are you doing here?"

Marcus Valentine strode over.

His brow was furrowed.

His gaze swept over the CT scan room behind her.

"Are you sick? Do you need me to call a specialist?"

Mina looked at Evelyn.

Evelyn gave an encouraging nod.

Mina took a deep breath.

She looked at Marcus.

She spoke directly.

"I'm not sick."

She paused.

Her voice was clear.

"I'm pregnant."