Chapter 5 Keep The Baby Or Not

This was basic knowledge! Marian was well aware of it!

The doctor responded, "Miss, your age suggests a lack of experience in this matter. I empathize with your situation. I've encountered numerous young women like you as a doctor. Some exhibit pregnancy through a slight baby bump, yet they attribute it to weight gain. There was a case of ectopic pregnancy that went unnoticed and nearly proved fatal."

Then the doctor presented the color ultrasound report and affirmed, "This is the gestational sac. Your pregnancy is confirmed without a doubt."

"But I'm menstruating..."

"You're not experiencing a normal period. You're undergoing bleeding. Early-stage pregnancy can manifest bleeding," the doctor interjected. "If you intend to proceed with this pregnancy, prompt nurturing is crucial."

What?

Bleeding while pregnant? Proceeding with the pregnancy?

Successive shocking revelations left Marian astounded.

She gulped and inquired, "This child... Is it healthy?"

"At this moment, the situation isn't dire. The initial three months demand attentive care," the doctor explained. "Your first decision should be whether to continue with the pregnancy."

"I..."

Marian was at a loss.

"Whether you opt for termination or to proceed, prompt decision-making is vital. Consult your husband..." Yet, the doctor abruptly paused.

Her husband hadn't touched her. She had betrayed him. Could they even discuss this?

The doctor organized the test results, handing them to her, instructing, "Contemplate it." He then shouted to the door, "Next patient."

In a dazed state, Marian secured the medical report in her bag and hastened out.

Her encounter with Rogelio that night was the only intimate moment...

Hence, this child belonged to Rogelio!

How could pregnancy occur so effortlessly? Was it truly that simple to conceive?

Rogelio had mentioned he'd get rid of the baby if she was pregnant.

However, Kyra earnestly desired a grandson. She feared the Bailey lineage would lack an heir. Above all, Marian felt indebted to Neal. He had saved her life, and she owed the Bailey family a debt.

Eventually, she considered bringing this baby into the world as a gesture of gratitude for Neal's help.

The sun was setting as Marian made her way back to the Bailey family's grand residence.

Upon entering the living room, she rested her gaze upon Rogelio seated on the sofa, his tie loosened, and his posture relaxed.

Why did he have so much free time today?

Quietly treading, Marian contemplated avoiding him. Nevertheless, he murmured in a subdued tone, "Come here!"

He had noticed her.

She had no choice but to approach, and she uttered, "Mr. Bailey."

"Drink this," Rogelio directed his gaze toward the bowl of soup on the coffee table, instructing. "Finish it."

As Marian opened the container, an unpleasant aroma wafted into her nostrils.

It was a soup comprising several rare and nutritious ingredients!

A tonic primarily intended for bolstering male fertility!

"Is this from Kyra?" she inquired in hushed tones. "Was it prepared specifically for your nourishment? I, however, do not wish to..."

"What?"

Rogelio's voice grew louder towards the end, a subtle exhibition of his authority, not anger.

Was she rejecting his gesture? How could she dare?

Marian lowered her gaze, swallowing her words, and was prepared to drink the soup in a single breath. Yet, as she attempted to lift the bowl, an unexplained tremor coursed through her hand.

The bowl slipped from her fingers and shattered into pieces as soon as it hit the floor.

What a mess!

Rogelio lifted his gaze, his eyes narrowing as he inquired, "Marian, did you do this intentionally?"

"No, not at all," Marian hastened to explain. "The soup was just too hot. I couldn't hold it steadily, and it slipped..."

"You always resort to excuses!"

"I..." Marian bit her lip, her voice laced with remorse. "I sincerely apologize."

Rogelio's gaze swept over the scattered shards on the floor as he remarked, "Clean it up."

"Of course," she replied.

She reached for the broom, but Rogelio interjected, "Pick up the pieces by hand."

Examining the sharp fragments, Marian realized that they posed a definite risk of cutting her fingers.

He was deliberately putting her in a difficult spot!

Despite her reservations, Marian had no choice but to obey. As she collected the pieces, the jagged edges grazed her skin, causing fresh red droplets to surface. Suppressing any outward reaction, she deposited all the fragments into the trash bin.

"I've finished," she announced.

Rogelio's gaze shifted to the bin, and with a decisive kick, he overturned it.

"Retrieve them once more," he stated coldly.

Marian inhaled deeply, attempting to contain her anger, yet... It was becoming unbearable!

What had she done to merit such humiliation?

She wasn't responsible for Neal's death. Yet, she acknowledged that he had sacrificed himself to save her. The burden of guilt and sorrow weighed heavily on her. Still... Did that mean she had to endure the Baileys' wrath and malice?

"Rogelio, does mistreating me like this give you a sense of satisfaction?"

"Mistreating?" Rogelio's lips curved into a faint smile, as if he had heard an amusing jest. He retorted, "Are you finding it tough? This is merely the beginning."

"Then just put an end to it by killing me."

"Absolutely not!"

Only through subjecting Marian to prolonged torment could Rogelio quench his hatred.

His relationship with his elder brother Neal had been a strong one. However, a severe illness had rendered Neal's cognitive abilities comparable to that of a ten-year-old. Despite his condition, Neal had consistently cared for Rogelio, always thinking of his well-being.

Following Neal's illness, Kyra had placed all her aspirations on Rogelio, meticulously molding him as the rightful heir.

Mistakes on Rogelio's part resulted in punishment-withholding meals and extended periods of kneeling.

In such instances, Neal would console him, stand by his side, and discreetly provide sustenance.

Tragically... A brother so compassionate met his demise in a car accident due to Marian!

Rogelio rose from his seat and leaned towards Marian, asserting, "How dare you resist me now?"

Marian locked her gaze onto his eyes and declared, "You can't subject me to this!"

"Offer me a reason to show you kindness."

At his words, Marian's lips parted, though fear kept her from uttering a sound.

However, upon reflection, she had entered the Bailey family through marriage, and now, she was carrying a child. But her debt was to Neal alone from the outset!

She was also a victim of that car accident!

Summoning her courage, Marian ventured, "I didn't cause Neal's death. Rogelio, that car accident was peculiar. The behavior of the drunken driver was even stranger. His ramblings suggested manipulation. I suspect he was a pawn. With your considerable wealth and influence, you should conduct an inquiry-"

Before she could conclude, Rogelio abruptly seized her wrist and pulled her towards the second floor.

His hurried pace left her struggling to keep up. She found herself half-dragged, her body scraping against the floor.

Instinctively, she moved to shield her lower abdomen!

Her baby... The safety of her unborn child was paramount!

Bang! With a resounding crash, Rogelio forcefully kicked open the bedroom door and propelled her inside, where she landed on the large bed.

The fall left Marian disoriented. Before she could regain her bearings, Rogelio's weight descended upon her.

He pinned her down, securing her hands behind her back, forcing her into close proximity with him.

"Marian, listen closely." Veins pulsed on his forehead, his words dripping with menacing intent. "Should I hear you argue again, you and the Chapman family will pay a grievous price!"

"Why can't you just trust me and question the driver..."

"Silence! Marian, you're well aware of the fate of the driver! Your gratitude should extend to my generosity to keep you breathing!"

Any further words eluded her. Her breath grew labored, her heart racing.

From Rogelio's vantage point, the contours of her bosom were discernible beneath her collar.

Suddenly, his throat felt parched, his mind conjuring images of the tender woman who had shared that night with him.

The sensation mirrored what he had experienced with Marian!

Curses! How could she elicit this response from him?

Rogelio's hands found her collar, and he tore at it forcefully.

Her pristine, snowy skin lay exposed to the air.