Chapter 724


    "How on earth do you always figure things out?"


    Dorothy''s eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze shifting from Karen’s face to the subtle swell of her


    belly, leaving her at a loss for words.


    "I''ve already scheduled the surgery. It''s at nine in the morning, three days from now. You''lle


    with me, right?" Karen pondered and decided that Dorothy was the only one she could ask for


    support.


    Just treat it as if this child had never been here.


    She couldn''t sacrifice her entire life for Jeffrey, nor could she muster Paige''s reckless abandon in


    love, or enjoy the kind of undivided affection Dorothy received from Everett. She had her own life to


    live.


    Being a single mom wasn''t fair, not to her, nor to the child.


    "Well, I can''t let you go through that alone!" Dorothy sighed, her voice tinged with resignation. "Does


    anyone else know? What about your parents?"


    "I can''t tell them. They''re already upset over my split with Jeffrey. If they knew, they''d storm over to


    the Turners and make a scene! If Jeffrey finds out about the pregnancy, he''d never let me go


    through with the abortion."


    Karen was frighteningly lucid.


    She knew exactly what she wanted and what she didn''t, analyzing the pros and cons with terrifying


    rity, even predicting the future fallout.


    Dorothy admired that about her. She herself was rather indecisive, especially in matters of the


    heart, not nearly as resolute as Karen.


    "I think Jeffrey has a right to know," Dorothy said after a moment''s thought, sharing her genuine


    opinion. "His ex never told him and look at the mess that caused. You''re pregnant and if you keep it


    from him... Poor Jeffrey."


    "Poor him? The one going under the knife is me!" Karen fumed at the thought. "I never wanted this


    child. It was Jeffrey who pushed, saying we were getting engaged, that we could stop being careful.


    He said he wanted a baby, just like Abigail and Langston."


    Dorothy pursed her lips, mulling over Karen''s words.


    She had a point.


    "Look, I''ve made up my mind. The hospital bill is already paid! Just keep mepany, and let''s not


    tell a soul," Karen paused, "including Everett."


    Dorothy smiled bitterly, "He''s back with his folks."


    "nning to gang up on you with them?"


    "He wouldn''t." Dorothy frowned, exhaling softly. "Besides, no matter what he does or how he does


    it, he''s fulfilled his duty to me."


    Karen only sighed.


    They drove in silence to Karen''s modest apartment.


    With the kids gone, it was just Dorothy now, and the ce was perfect for her alone.


    "Karen, I''ll transfer the rent to you."


    "Don''t be ridiculous! You''re making me angry," Karen attempted to help with the luggage.


    Dorothy quickly intervened, "No, let me! Be careful."


    Karen was still pregnant, after all.


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


    Karen scoffed, "What''s there to be afraid of? I''m not nning on keeping it."


    "Karen, don''t say that. I know you''re just trying to strengthen your resolve, to prevent a change of


    heart, but doesn''t it hurt?"


    Karen struggled for a response.


    Dorothy walked over and patted her shoulder. "I''m always on your side, and I''ll support you through


    everything."


    "Yeah, you''re the best, Dorothy."


    ...


    Paige never expected Huxley and Paloma toe looking for her.


    In the hospital room, she had just lulled her daughter to sleep when she saw the couple standing at


    the doorway.


    There was no need to question their identity, as Jeffrey''s refined features werergely inherited from


    his mother''s beauty.