Chapter 717


    But what Karen couldn''t shake was why he had deliberately turned off his phone!


    Truth be told, if he had just been upfront about Paige being in a bind and needing his help, Karen


    would''ve nodded her approval for him to go openly. But some things, once done on the sly, take on


    a different nature.


    Even if nothing untoward had happened, she found it hard to understand him.


    Forget it, for all she knew, she might not even be pregnant. Why bother with these thoughts?


    "Karen, please proceed to Exam Room Three."


    The automated announcement echoed through the maternity ward''s waiting area.


    Karen quickly stood up, adjusting her beanie, and made her way to Exam Room Three.


    Most expectant mothers came to the hospital with their partners or family members, but there she


    was, alone and heavily cloaked, a sight so unusual it drew curious nces from passersby.


    She quickened her pace and entered the exam room, even the doctor pausing at her appearance.


    "Is it chilly outside?"


    "No."


    "Did youe alone?" The doctor quickly masked her surprise, looking down to inquire about


    Karen''s basic information.


    "Yes."


    "If the testes back positive for pregnancy, do you n on keeping it?"


    The doctor''s tone was neutral, devoid of inflection—a question she must have asked hundreds of


    times a day.


    Karen, a neer to these proceedings, was momentarily bewildered, "Do I have to decide now?"


    She had thought she would find out first and then have some time to think!


    The doctor pursed her lips, looking up at her. "That''s how it works. If you decide to keep it, there are


    certain tests we can''t perform. If you decide against it, we can do a sonogram to confirm whether or


    not you''re pregnant, determine how far along you are, the size of the embryo, and discuss your


    options."


    Karen didn’t know what to say.


    There was so much more to consider than she had thought!


    "If you can''t decide, we''ll start with the tests for keeping the baby."


    "Okay," Karen nodded.


    "Go and pay the fees, ande back here after you''re done with all the tests."


    "Alright."


    Karen rose and left the exam room, her heart racing with an indescribable unease.


    It felt as if something was perpetually hanging over her, a constant source of anxiety.


    Hesitating for a moment, she suddenly had the urge to call someone - anyone who coulde and


    keep herpany, or at least lend her a listening ear.


    But scrolling through her contacts, involving her parents was not an option, Keh was out of the


    question, and Jeffrey... it wasn''t the right time to call him. That only left Dorothy.


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    And she was still abroad.


    After a moment of hesitation, Karen dialed Dorothy''s number anyway.


    "Dorothy..."


    "What''s up?"


    "Jeffrey and I broke up." Karen''s lips trembled, but she held back from sharing her current situation


    at the maternity clinic, "Just wanted to let you know."


    "Why?" Dorothy sounded just as shocked on the other end.


    "I''ll tell you when you get back. When will you be here?"


    "I shouldnd in Eldorria City tomorrow."


    Karen fell silent for a moment before responding, "Alright, I''ll pick you up."


    After hanging up, she nced once more at her phone, confirming there was no one else to talk to,


    before heading off to undergo the tests with the form in hand.


    Several hours passed with blood drawn,b work, and an ultrasound.


    Derek had called in the meantime, wondering why she hadn''t arrived at Keh''s yet. Karen told


    him she was grabbing a bite to eat and would be there shortly.


    Returning to the vicinity of the exam room, she waited for the announcement.


    After about five minutes, it came again, "Karen, please proceed to Exam Room Three."