Chapter 3
I didn't get a single moment of sleep last night, and there was still a dull, nagging pain in my stomach.
Early the next morning, the nurse pushed open the door. "Ms. Shaw, the doctor says your condition is unstable. You need to decide soon whether to keep the baby."
"Yes, I'll keep it," I replied without a second thought.
She nodded, then quietly reminded me, "But keeping the baby isn't cheap. You should really discuss it with your family."
"I can manage on my own," I said.
The nurse shot me an awkward glance before leaving the room.
Not long after, the door to my hospital room opened again.
This time, it was James and Olivia standing in the doorway.
Olivia was dressed in a crisp, bright dress, a stark contrast to the plain white hospital gown I was wearing.
Without thinking, I clenched the corner of the blanket.
"I just came to check on you," James said with a detached tone from the doorway, as if I meant nothing to him.
Olivia's gaze lingered on my stomach, and she smiled meaningfully. "Emily, word is you want to keep the baby, huh?"
"This is my baby," I said firmly.
"Yours?" Olivia let out a mocking laugh, as I'd just cracked the biggest joke ever. "Emily, come on. You're not even part of the Foster family yet. What right do you have to keep it?"
"Shut up," I snapped.
James just stood by, not even bothering to stop her.
He stepped closer, towering over me. "Olivia's right. With the way things are, it's not safe for you or the baby. Getting rid of it is best for everyone."
My whole body trembled. I couldn't believe he was actually saying this.
"James, I'm carrying your child," I said, my voice trembling.
"I know," he replied, staying as cool as ever. "But this isn't the right time."
"The right time?" I shot back, my voice shaking with disbelief.
"You're secretly engaged to another woman, and now you're making me abort our baby? And you have the nerve to talk to me about what's right?"
Olivia let out a soft sigh, putting on her most patronizingly understanding face. "Emily, don't get so worked up. We're not being unreasonable here.
"As long as you don't stir up trouble, maybe after I have my baby, I could even help you find someone who actually suits you," she said, her voice dripping with fake concern.
"Get out!" I shouted.
"I'm not getting rid of it," I said, clutching the blanket and gritting my teeth. "None of you is ever going to touch my baby!"
James sighed. "Calm down, will you? The doctor said your condition is unstable. There's no way this baby will survive."
"You're lying!" I sat up abruptly, a jolt of pain shooting through my stomach.
Olivia slowly settled herself on the edge of the bed. "If you don't believe us, go ask the doctor yourself. We went ahead and signed the consent form for you already."
My head felt like it was about to explode.
"What did you just say?" My voice trembled. "What did you sign for me?"
"Abortion," James answered coldly from the side.
I flung off the covers and rushed to the door, barefoot.
The nurse was coming over, holding a stack of operation forms.
I stopped her in her tracks. "Let me see my medical forms!"
The nurse paused, saw James standing behind me, and then handed me the papers anyway.
In the signature box, James's name was written there, plain as day.
"Are you crazy?" I staggered back, slamming into the wall. "This is my body, my baby! Who gave you the right to sign for me?"
James kept his face blank. "I'm doing what's best for you."
Olivia let out an exaggerated sigh. "Seriously, Emily, quit making a fuss. Can you even afford to raise a kid by yourself? You can barely take care of yourself. Why not just get rid of it and start fresh?"
My chest tightened so much I could barely breathe.
"Even if you tie me down to the operating table, I won't let you have your way!" I yelled, my voice trembling with defiance.
"Ms. Shaw, please calm down," the nurse tried to intervene.
But I snatched the forms and tore them to shreds, the pieces fluttering down like autumn leaves.
"This is my baby," I shouted, my eyes brimming with tears. "None of you is ever going to touch him!"
James's face went stone cold.
"Emily, don't make me do this the hard way," he warned, his voice icy.