Withered Yet Freed

Apologizing? An excuse?

Sarah's heart sank. He actually thought this was her way of apologizing?

"Nelson, I've finished washing. Can you blow-dry my hair?" Lucy's flirtatious voice came through the phone.

Sarah felt as if she'd been struck by lightning. All the words she wanted to say deflated like a punctured balloon.

"Beep, beep..." The call disconnected. Sarah clutched her phone tightly as pain and despair washed over her.

In the end, it was a passerby who took Sarah to the hospital.

At the hospital.

The doctor cautioned her to be careful with the pregnancy, explaining that the first trimester was the most critical time.

After thanking the doctor, Sarah lay in the hospital bed, reflecting on everything that had happened the previous night.

She had thought Nelson taking her shopping, buying her gifts, and introducing her to his friends meant he truly cared for her and wanted a future together.

But now it all seemed laughable. No matter how sincere he pretended to be, when Lucy appeared, he could abandon her without a second thought.

She shouldn't have had expectations, and she certainly shouldn't have pitied him or wanted to give birth to what would be his only child.

After resting in the hospital for a few hours, her father called.

"My precious daughter, what are you up to? Why haven't you responded to my messages? By the way, what's your ring size? Your mother and I saw a beautiful ring we want to buy for you."

Sarah checked her messages and indeed, her father had sent her many texts, mostly about the arranged marriage. The last one asked for her ring finger size.

After reading the messages, she felt a headache coming on. With the pregnancy and her feelings for Nelson now dead, she had no interest in thinking about an arranged marriage.

Sighing, Sarah replied reluctantly, "Dad, forget about the arranged marriage. If I ever agree to it, I'll call you right away. Stop trying to show me wedding rings. I—"

"Wedding rings? What wedding rings?" Nelson suddenly appeared.

Almost instinctively, Sarah said into the phone, "Dad, something's come up. I'll talk to you tonight."

With that, she hung up.

Nelson frowned at her. "Sarah, you didn't tell your father about us, trying to force me to marry you, did you?"

As he continued, his expression grew increasingly annoyed. "Haven't I told you that what happened between Lucy and me is in the past? Why are you always so suspicious and unreasonable? About going public, I've told you we'll do it when the time is right. You—"

"I didn't tell my father anything," Sarah interrupted, looking at him coldly. "The ring is a golden anniversary gift he's buying for my mom. He asked for my opinion."

Nelson was taken aback, then visibly relieved. Seeing Sarah's unhappy expression, he softened his tone. "I didn't mean anything by it. I just don't want our original plans disrupted. Don't overthink it. About last night, Lucy isn't holding a grudge, but you did hit her..."

"Are you finished?" Sarah cut him off, her patience exhausted. She didn't want to exchange another word with him and just wanted him gone.

All she needed to do now was schedule the procedure, pack her things, and go home.

Seeing her cold demeanor, which even revealed hints of disgust, Nelson furrowed his brow, assuming she was still upset with him.

Knowing he couldn't comfort her right away, he decided to wait until her mood improved.

But before he could leave the room, a nurse called from outside, "Family of Miss Sarah Paterson, please come collect the patient's pregnancy test results."

By the time Sarah tried to stop the nurse, it was too late.

Nelson froze, his body stiff for several seconds before he turned to look at her.

Before he could ask, the impatient nurse placed a series of report forms in his hands and left.

Seven weeks pregnant, with a fetal heartbeat.