Turning Of The Tide

Chapter 80

In the early hours of the following day, at 3:30 AM.

they both struggled to find restful sleep, consumed by their anxieties over their delayed menstrual cycles. Restless and anxious, they stood in the bathroom, clad in their sleepwear, taking turns to test the pregnancy strips.

Sherri was growing increasingly frantic, urging Natalie, who had been inside for five minutes, “Natalie, are you finished? Why is it taking so long for you to urinate?”

Natalie’s voice echoed from inside, “Just a moment, I’m not done yet.”

“You should come out first. The test strip must be left for 5-10 minutes to obtain accurate results. Waiting inside won’t make any difference.”

The door swung open, and Natalie emerged, clutching the test strip. It displayed a single line. “I see. I’ll use the restroom first. It’s your turn now.”

After four minutes, piercing screams reverberated from the bathroom, “Ah…”

Natalie pushed the door open and entered, glancing around. “What’s going on?”

Sherri’s face was stunned as she opened her mouth, gesturing toward the two test strips on the bathroom counter.

Natalie’s gaze followed Sherri’s gesture, and her eyes widened in disbelief. Mechanically, she turned back to Sherri, who seemed lost in thought.

The two stood there, staring at each other dumbfoundedly for a few minutes. Then, in perfect synchronization, they both exclaimed, “It’s positive.”

There was a brief pause, and they simultaneously repeated, “What should we do?”

Without skipping a beat, they said. “Stay calm.”

Both of them sighed deeply, leaning against opposite sides of the door frame. In perfect unison, they sighed, “Well…” Natalie snapped back to reality, realizing the irreversible situation they were facing. It was like hitting the jackpot, except this time, it was different. “Let’s go. We won’t find any answers in the bathroom. Staring at this test strip won’t miraculously change the result. You don’t possess any magical powers.”

Sherri followed with a gloomy expression as they exited the restroom. Both of them took their seats on opposite ends of the couch. Sherri crossed her legs and slumped, “Natalie, what do you plan to do? You just got divorced. Perhaps… you should consider…” She wanted to suggest that Natalie consider terminating the pregnancy, but as an obstetrician-gynecologist, those words proved challenging to utter.

weight of exhaustion. She crossed her legs and leaned against the couch, tilting her head backward. “I honestly don’t

stillness, punctuated only by the distant howl of the wind and the rhythmic rustling of

pills? Could they have expired

even to evading the effects of birth

out of her confusion, her gaze evasive. “Ahem, perhaps we didn’t take them

expertise

subject, cutting her off. “What’s your plan then? You’re not married yet,

the topic of birth control

shoulders, letting out a sigh. “I don’t know what to do. If Edward finds out, he’ll probably tear

widened as she stared at her in disbelief. “Are you insane? Weren’t you planning

second year. The training programs at the university have students of all ages, some with several

already divorced. This child is mine. Please, don’t let it slip. If you

she shared a true kinship. Despite the biological connection with that scumbag dad, having no ties at all felt better. She longed to have a

ahead would be filled with challenges and

I couldn’t bear to endure such a procedure now that I am in this situation. If I were to carry it out, I’d likely be haunted by nightmares for the rest of my life. We will share in both the blessings and the

she knew it was a

let

This is a serious matter, not something to be taken lightly. If you decide to proceed with the pregnancy, you’ll be a single mother, which

countered with a question, “And what about you?”

over 20 years of companionship and joy if I have a son. And if I have a daughter, she can grow

baby. If, in the future, I happen to

life together. But if that doesn’t happen, we can still lead fulfilling lives as independent women. We can enjoy our time together, strolling hand in

and teased, “Natalie, let’s have a little fun tonight and play baby matchmaking. If I have a girl and you have a boy, we’ll pair them up. Or we can still make it work if you have a girl and I have a

What are you even thinking? It’s the 21st century. We don’t do baby

Don’t you feel sad that your godmother doesn’t want you as