Even after Rhett left, Kelsey couldn't shake off the words he had said.
He was right. Her current situation wasn't enough to support herself, Dexter, and another child.
But the desire to keep the baby was instinctual. Ever since she found out about the little life growing inside her, she had formed a connection.
She lowered her head and looked at her flat stomach, feeling a sense of sadness.
"I'm sorry, we're not meant to be," she whispered.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," she said.
A young female doctor walked in, wearing black-framed glasses. She was tall and thin, with a lean face that looked cold but still approachable.
"Feeling better?" the doctor asked.
Kelsey nodded.
This must be the doctor Rhett mentioned.
"Do I need to do any tests?" she asked.
"Yes." The doctor walked over to the balcony and opened the curtains. The sunlight poured in, and Kelsey instinctively closed her eyes.
The room was bright, making her pale complexion even more noticeable.
"I'm Catherine. You can call me by my name," the doctor said as she sat down next to Kelsey.
Kelsey nodded obediently, which surprised Catherine, but she quickly understood.
"President Clark must have told you that you need to have an abortion. It's a simple procedure, and you don't have to worry too much about it."
Kelsey clenched her fists tightly, her fingertips turning white, but she still nodded reluctantly.
"I know."
The woman with glasses looked at her with clear eyes that seemed to see through everything, then suddenly reached out to pat her hand.
"It's okay. I know it's hard for you to accept this right now, but with technology developing so quickly, maybe you'll still have your own children in the future…"
Her words didn't comfort Kelsey. Instead, they made her look up in surprise.
"…What do you mean maybe I'll have my own children in the future?"
Catherine paused for a moment.
"President Clark didn't tell you that your body is not suitable for miscarriage… and that you may not have children in the future?"
Kelsey felt like she was enveloped in a shadow.
The sunshine outside was so bright, but she couldn't feel any warmth.
There was a steady sound of footsteps beside her, pulling her out of the darkness.
Without even looking up, she knew who was standing beside her.
"You're here."
Her voice was hoarse as she looked at Rhett.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you guys."
When she had called Rhett, she heard Elise's sweet, complaining voice on the other end—and suddenly felt ashamed.
She didn't want to keep coming back to him again and again, like she couldn't live without him.
"She just…"
"The doctor said if I abort this child, I may not be able to conceive again in the future. Do you know that?" Her voice sounded calm—maybe too calm, like she was angry to the point of feeling numb.
"You called me here just for this?" Rhett frowned and sat casually on the sofa.
The sunlight shone in.
His features looked even more three-dimensional and deep under the light and shadows. Such a handsome face—but always so cold that people found it hard to get close to him.
"Don't you think I should have the right to know?" Kelsey looked straight at him.
"You know now."
"But someone else told me! If Dr. Catherine hadn't said that one extra sentence, I might have already aborted the child…"
Her voice became heavier and finally tinged with anger.
"I may not be able to conceive again in my life."
The man in front of her still looked at her, his expression completely blank.
"So what?"
Kelsey took a deep breath, and her body trembled slightly.
She thought Rhett wouldn't care, but she didn't expect his attitude to be this indifferent.
Even if it was just a dog, after being together for so long, shouldn't there be at least some emotion?
Her eyes suddenly turned red. "Please let me go…"
Kelsey's voice trembled as she said, "Even if I beg you... I had already decided to agree to abort this child, but the doctor said I might not be able to have kids again in my life. I'm thankful for the money you gave me for Dexter's treatment. I'll pay you back slowly…"
"If you didn't want me to get pregnant so badly, why did you even marry me? This might be the only child I'll ever have…"
In her situation right now, she didn't even have the strength to ask Rhett why he dragged her into his emotional mess with another woman.
When they got back together, he pushed her away again without even bothering to explain anything.
"Did you ever ask for my permission before using me as a tool to make Elise jealous? You didn't even tell me what was going on…"
The more she talked, the more ridiculous and hurt Kelsey felt. "Don't think I'm trying to use this baby to blackmail you or anything. Don't worry. Once I get the divorce papers, I'll leave. I won't bother you or Elise ever again."
If she had known from the start that Rhett only married her for this reason, she wouldn't have said yes.
And she definitely wouldn't have fallen in love with him just because of the little bit of kindness and care he showed her...
Rhett's eyes stayed on her face, unreadable.
After a moment, he said in a strange tone, "Are you crying?"
He looked right at Kelsey's face.
That blank, emotionless expression she'd been forcing herself to wear ever since he brought up divorce finally cracked.
She cried in front of him again.
Her eyes were red. Even her nose was red.
Rhett rarely saw her cry, unless it was during a few certain moments.
But this teary look on her face… it was actually really heartbreaking.
Kelsey sniffled and didn't want to look into his eyes.
Her nails dug deep into her palm. She almost drew blood when the man suddenly stood up and walked over to her.
He reached out and rubbed her head. "You're pretty clever."
The low voice came from above her, and Kelsey didn't really get what he meant. She looked up at him.
Her eyes were still watery, red and sore, making her look both stubborn and fragile.
"Crying like that…" Rhett suddenly leaned down, lifted her chin, and stared at the tear at the corner of her eye. His voice slowed, "Do you think that'll work on me?"
Kelsey didn't answer. She just stared at him, nervous and frozen.