淑女的欲望

"D-Doctor... T-Tiffany... I beg you, please help me. Please find a way to ensure my baby can continue to grow—" she pleaded, her voice wavering as she couldn't hold back her tears.

"I'm truly sorry, Scarlett... I wish I could offer a different answer, but I can't," Tiffany said apologetically, her expression full of affection. "I understand how heart-wrenching this must be for you. However, it's important to remember that you're still young. Many women who've faced a blighted ovum have successful pregnancies later in their life. I'm confident that your chance will come too..."

Scarlett's shoulders slumped under the weight of the news. She felt immense pain, yet she struggled to maintain strength as she gathered herself to ask about the next step.

Tiffany continued with her explanation, her tone gentle. "Naturally, your body will likely miscarry on its own. Alternatively, you have the option to use medication to facilitate the process, or if needed, a procedure known as dilation and curettage can be performed to remove any remaining tissue. The decision of which path to take is yours—"

Scarlett didn't respond immediately, the shock of the news making it hard for her to think clearly. She clearly needed to discuss this with Xander before making any decisions. She offered a slight nod to Dr. Tiffany, appreciating her guidance and support in this difficult moment.

****

A few minutes later, Scarlett finally finishes talking with Doctor Tiffany. Before she left her office, she tried to maintain her calmness. She didn't want Zara and Logan, who were waiting outside, to sense the distressing news she had just received.

She wanted to share this heartbreaking news with Xander and discuss their next plan. She hadn't decided what to do yet because this tough situation threw her mind into turmoil.

Zara, spotting Scarlett emerging from the door, quickly approached her. "Scarlett, how's everything? Everything alright?" she asked, a trace of concern could be heard in her voice. 

Scarlett gave Zara a faint smile. "I'm all good," she assured as they headed toward the elevator, with Logan trailing along.

"Really?" Zara persisted, but her concern still lingers. She tilted her head slightly, wanting to see Scarlett's face for any sign of distress.

"Absolutely, sis! No need to worry," Scarlett responded, her smile meant to reassure Zara.

"Well, I'm relieved as long as you're okay. I was getting a bit worried since you were in there for quite a while—" Zara admitted, stepping into the elevator alongside Scarlett.

"My goodness, Zara, you'd be shocked if I told you how long I chatted with Doctor Tiffany the first time I met her," Scarlett chuckled. "If Xander hadn't forced me away from her office, we might've ended up talking the whole day. It's my fault, really. I had been so clueless about pregnancy and asking many questions."

"Oh my! No wonder you were in there for nearly an hour," Zara laughed. "I swear, I was starting to imagine all sorts of terrible scenarios. I even had Logan on standby to break the door down and check on you. Right, Logan?" Zara turned to Logan with a playful smile framing her face. 

Logan nodded, his face still carrying a trace of tension. When Scarlett met his gaze, she couldn't help but be amused by how serious he looked.

Scarlett was speechless. She could only shake her head, unsure of how to respond. Because the more she remembered what happened inside, the more her heart ached. She missed being home, lying on her bed, talking things over with Xander, and letting go of all the sadness that filled her.

...

"Ma'am, should we make a stop on the 20th floor?" Logan suddenly asked, causing a slight frown to crease Scarlett's forehead as she processed his question.

Scarlett wanted to stop by to check Carter's condition, but she hesitated with Zara with them. She worried that Zara might break into tears if she saw Carter, and given Aunty Martha's keen observation, she might find Zara's reaction suspicious, wouldn't she?

After pondering for a moment, Scarlett cast a fleeting smile at Zara, who appeared to have picked up on the topic of conversation. Then, she redirected her attention to Logan. "Can we go see him now?" Scarlett asked, uncertain whether Carter had been transferred back to his room or if he was still in the intensive care unit.

"I'm not sure. I can verify—"

"No need. Today is his first day post-surgery. It might be best if we postpone our visit for now," Scarlett made up her mind, even though she had to disappoint her best friend. She ignored Zara's reaction and focused on the elevator doors.

As the elevator doors slowly open. Scarlett was taken aback to see a tall, fair-skinned man, his ebony hair sleekly combed back. Dressed perfectly in a black suit adorned with a light blue tie, he radiated a striking handsomeness.

"Scarlett—" The man's astonishment mirrored Scarlett's own. He courteously stepped aside, allowing her more space to exit the elevator, before pressing further, "Why didn't you inform me about your visit to this city?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected encounter with Francis, Grandpa Robert's younger son, Scarlett struggled to compose herself.

"Walk with me, Scarlett," Francis invited, leading her to a quiet corner near the glass wall overlooking the street.

Scarlett followed him while smiling faintly, "Brother Francis, you've always been a man of endless tasks. How could I intrude on your busy schedule?"

Francis chuckled, shaking his head. "After all these years, you remain unchanged, Scarlett Piers. You never fail to ignore me," he half-joked, his voice slowly fading as his attention shifted to a man and a woman who had exited the elevator alongside Scarlett, waiting a short distance away. 

'Who is he!?' Francis locked eyes with the tall man glaring at him, a discomfort settling over him. 'Is he Scarlett's boyfriend?'