Chapter 716


    Dorothy''s mind raced back to the look in Everett''s eyes that day.


    His gaze, red and raw, bore into her as he asked whether she had ever considered him, even just a


    little.


    At the time, Dorothy thought he was pleading for her to forgive his mother for his sake, to spare him


    from being stuck in the middle. But now, it struck her that he was actually questioning the trust she


    had never given him.


    Yes.


    Dorothy was at a loss for words.


    She truly hadn''t trusted Everett. Right from the start, she was wary of letting him get involved,


    fearing he might show favoritism or shield his mother.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    There was no excuse she could make for that.


    ...


    After returning home, Karen locked herself in her room, refusing toe out.


    This had Derek and Serena beside themselves with worry.


    But they didn''t dare push too hard, pacing anxiously outside her door like a sentinel.


    Suddenly, her bedroom door swung open.


    Serena leapt from her chair, "Karen, are you..."


    "Mom, I''m fine! I want to visit the hospital to check on Keh, to see if he''s been eating well, and


    find out if he can be discharged today."


    "Oh, yes! Keh might be discharged today. It''s good for you to go see him!" Serena had been


    fretting over her daughter stewing in her room, so Karen wanting to step out was a wee relief.


    "I''ll have your dad drive you!"


    "No need, I''ll just grab a taxi," Karen said with a smile, taking her mother''s hand. "Mom, it''s just a


    breakup. It''s not my first rodeo with boyfriends. You don''t have to fear I''ll do anything rash! Sure, it


    hurts, but life can''t stop for Jeffrey, can it?"


    "It''s good to hear you''re dealing with it. That eases my mind!" Serena sighed in relief. "Go ahead.


    Do you have money? Let me give you some."


    Karen waved her off, "No need, I''ve got some. I''ve made a bit from a recent job."


    "Good, good! Text me when you get to the hospital."


    "Will do."


    Karen descended the stairs and hailed a cab.


    "Hi, to City Hospital, please."


    As she sat in her bedroom earlier, her anxiety had mounted.


    She and Jeffrey had been reckless for a few days, and in the heat of the moment, he''d insisted she


    not immediately shower afterward.


    Back then, she had thought that if she got pregnant, she''d keep the baby, given how much he loved


    kids. But she hadn''t anticipated the breakup happening so suddenly.


    Karen counted the days; her period was indeed a dayte, though it wasn''t unusual for her cycle to


    be irregr.


    Still, it was best to get checked at the hospital, just to be safe.


    On the way, her mind churned with possibilities.


    What if she was pregnant?


    Despite wracking her brain, she couldn''t find an answer by the time the taxi arrived at the hospital


    entrance.


    After paying the fare, Karen got out, her mask and hat in ce, and made her way to the obstetrics


    and gynecology department.


    The area was lively with expectant mothers, some in the early stages, while others appeared visibly


    ready to deliver. Typically, they were apanied by their husbands, or sometimes their own


    mothers or mothers-inw- all faces alight with the anticipation of new life.


    Influenced by the atmosphere, Karen suddenly felt the urge to touch her still-t belly.


    The answer that had eluded her in the taxi suddenly became clear.


    If she was indeed carrying a child.


    Perhaps she should give Jeffrey another chance?


    He had assured her so earnestly that nothing had happened between him and Paige that night, that


    he had only apanied her to the hospital. He even offered to review the security footage with


    her. That had to mean something, right?