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

the room. The living room was engulfed in a calm stillness, punctuated

of contraceptive pills? Could they have expired or been counterfeit? It’s perplexing

evading the effects of birth control

her gaze evasive. “Ahem, perhaps we didn’t take them early enough. Those little critters tend

of using her expertise to counter, about to

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

effectively diverted the discussion from the

out, he’ll probably tear me apart.” Natalie contemplated momentarily, then slapped her thigh and released a deep breath

her in disbelief. “Are you insane? Weren’t you planning to go abroad after the New Year? Will the university even accommodate

programs at the university have students of all ages, some with several children already. I don’t think they would

say. This chuld is his biological child, but we’re already divorced. This child is mine. Please, don’t

eyes welled up with tears as she understood Natalie’s intentions. Since her grandfather’s passing, she had no blood relatives with whom 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

can’t bring myself to terminate its life because it’s Hackett’s ofspring. You know, after being a doctor for so many years. I’ve never performed an abortion. 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

it, she knew it was a deeply personal choice. However, Sherri’s unmarried status posed a

let

voiced her concerns with worry. “Sherri, have you thought this through? 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 may

countered with a question, “And

responded, her voice filled with conviction. Tve given it a lot of thought. I’ve realized that one doesn’t necessarily need to be bound to a man for a lifetime. I can still cherish over 20 years of companionship and joy if I have a

understanding. “Yes, that’s exactly how I feel. Ive made up my mind. I will choose to keep the baby. If, in the future, I

lead fulfilling lives as independent women. We can enjoy our time

“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

been watching too many romantic dramas, haven’t you? What are you even thinking? It’s the 21st century. We don’t do baby matchmaking

for it, huh? Don’t you feel sad that your godmother