Chapter 4 Abortion Is Not An Option

Ryann rushed Coco to the pet hospital. Her card balance lessened to less than half following the treatment.

Coco needed several days of hospital observation. Ryann lingered at the pet hospital's entrance, suitcase in hand. Her gaze showed she was lost in thought.

Kimstin's night was alive with activity. The streets bustled with people, and the vibrant lights painted a colorful scene.

In this sprawling city, she couldn't find a place to go.

With summer vacation in full swing, school was not an option.

She needed to save money for Stella's medical bills, so she wasn't keen on spending the remaining cash on a hotel room.

Her choice led her to the outdoor area of a convenience store, where she sat down.

Exhaustion overcame her, and she dozed off right at the table.

Sometime later, the rolling sound of wheels startled her awake.

Ryann's eyes snapped open to the sight of a man stealthily taking off with her suitcase.

"My suitcase... Stop!"

Ryann glanced at her empty hand, realizing what had occurred, and hastily got up to chase after the man.

Observing that Ryann had spotted him, the man swiftly hoisted the suitcase and dashed it.

After sprinting for quite a distance, Ryann suddenly felt out of breath and had to stop.

She panted heavily, her eyes fixed on the man as he continued to dash away with her suitcase, disappearing into the distance.

But her unborn child in her belly started causing trouble as if protesting her frantic sprint.

With no time for tears, she bent over and vomited into a nearby trash can uncontrollably.

Today, she hadn't eaten anything, and now she vomited bile.

After emptying her stomach, she felt completely drained of energy.

Exhausted and leaning against a roadside tree, Ryann gently placed her hand on her flat belly, a reminder that she needed to undergo an abortion.

"It's twins. Being pregnant with two is quite unusual. Are you certain about going through with the abortion?" The doctor glanced at the report in his hand and double-checked with Ryann.

Ryann reached out and touched her belly, her fingers trembling involuntarily.

But she still nodded and said, "Yes, I'm certain."

Given her age and circumstances, raising children wasn't a feasible option for her.

She was uncertain about her future path.

"Okay, then, please sign here." The doctor let out a regretful sigh.

Ryann took the consent form and signed her name at the bottom.

She was soon escorted to the surgery room.

On the cold operating table, Ryann anxiously clutched the bedsheet beneath her as she watched the doctors and nurses bustling around in the air-conditioned operating room, getting ready for the procedure.

As the anesthesia took effect, she slowly relaxed her grip on the bedsheet.

She thought about how soon the babies would no longer be with her.

A single tear rolled down from the corner of Ryann's eye as she whispered, "I'm sorry..."

Unfortunately, things didn't go as she had hoped during the operation.

The lights went out suddenly.

Ryann was quickly moved out of the operating room.

Once the anesthesia faded, a nurse helped Ryann dress and guided her to a quiet office.

By the floor-to-ceiling window, a man in a black suit swiveled the wheelchair before him, revealing the man seated in it.

Dressed in a black suit with silver hair, he appeared to be around seventy, yet his vitality remained strong, and his eyes held a keen and clever gaze.

"Let me introduce myself. My last name is Edwards."

Terry Edwards scrutinized Ryann from head to toe with his piercing gaze, eventually focusing his eyes on her belly. "If my findings are accurate, the little ones in your tummy should address me as... Grandpa."

Ryann's expression shifted. She recognized him now.

He was Shawn's father and the current head of the Edwards family, the most influential family in the city.

He held significant influence in the city of Kimstin!

Ryann instinctively placed her hands on her belly and greeted with a hint of awkwardness, "Hello there. I'm Ryann Murphy."

"I know," Terry responded coolly. "The Edwards family may not lack heirs, but aborting Shawn's children is not an option."

Ryann was not surprised at all. She knew well that such powerful families valued lineage deeply. Yet...

"I have already promised Shawn I'd terminate the pregnancy."

"I'm aware. I also know about the one million dollars he gave you."

Without that million-dollar check, Terry wouldn't have realized Shawn was interested in women, let alone that he'd made a girl pregnant!

Shifting the conversation, Terry inquired, "Are you really expecting twins?"

Ryann didn't plan to keep the truth from him and replied, "Yes, that's what the doctor told me."

Terry nodded and said slowly, "Once you give birth to these two kids, I'll give you fifty million dollars. Regarding the one million dollars you owe Shawn, I'll help you pay him back."

Ryann was at a loss for words.

She bowed her head, feeling a wave of shame.

Now, in the eyes of everyone, she might be seen as someone who was money-hungry and willing to do anything for quick money.

So, whoever spoke to her would dangle money as a tempting lure.

It wasn't anyone else's fault for having such thoughts.

It was all because she shamelessly used her pregnancy to ask Shawn for money.

Observing her continued silence, Terry remained patient. With a faint smile, he said, "I have heard you've been expelled from the Murphy family. You must be in need of money now..."

Ryann's fists tightened, and her eyes welled up with tears. "I'm sorry. I have promised Shawn that I won't keep the babies!"

Terry seemed to ignore her refusal, continuing, "I'm acquainted with many esteemed doctors, locally and internationally, particularly in the field of gastric cancer..."

With that, he took a brief pause, wearing a confident smile as he added, "If you ever require their assistance, I can reach out to them anytime."

Ryann lifted her head, her long eyelashes trembling in a daze.

"Welcome to your room, Miss Murphy. This is where you'll be staying."

Santino Patel, the butler, pushed the door open, then turned back with a gentle smile aimed at Ryann.

Ryann managed a tentative smile and stepped into the room.

It was a spacious, elegantly decorated room, balancing classic style with understated luxury.

"It's late now. I'll give you some space. Should you need anything, inform the servants or call me directly."

Ryann gave a nod, replying, "Okay, thank you."

"My pleasure."

Once Santino departed, Ryann perched on the bed.

In a daze, she scanned the room as if everything before her was part of a dream.

She had returned to Edwards Manor with Terry.

She couldn't fathom the rage Shawn would feel upon discovering her broken promise...

Luckily, Terry mentioned that Shawn rarely visited Edwards Manor. It had been six months since his last visit.