Chapter 24: She Was Pregnant
Upon hearing that Meredith had gone to the hospital, Terrence Sterling’s eyes flickered with a strange light. Harvey Fieldmouse inquired, “What’s wrong? Is it serious? Which hospital did she go to?” The level of tension made it seem as though Meredith had some kind of relationship with Harvey Fieldmouse. Terrence Sterling gave Harvey Fieldmouse a complicated look. Linda half-truthfully said, “Not sure, maybe it’s just an upset stomach.”
Linda was worried about offending Terrence Sterling. Harvey Fieldmouse suggested, “Maybe she ate something bad or just tired herself out…”
Terrence Sterling coldly replied, “Miss Florrick is sick, why are you so concerned?”
Harvey Fieldmouse declared, “When a beautiful lady is sick, it’s a time for care and warmth, I must go and comfort her.”
Linda looked surprised, thinking, is Mr. Fieldmouse going after Meredith?
Harvey Fieldmouse eagerly asked, “Linda, can you give me Miss Florrick’s number so I can send her some warmth?” Linda glanced at Terrence Sterling and replied to Harvey Fieldmouse, “Sorry, Mr. Fieldmouse, it’s not convenient for me to give you Miss Florrick’s number. I need to get Miss Florrick’s permission.” Harvey Fieldmouse turned to Terrence Sterling and urged, “Terry, say something, she’s your employee.” Terrence Sterling calmly sipped his coffee and said, “I know better than to help you with something wrong.”
Harvey Fieldmouse protested, “Terry, how is it wrong to care for your sick employee? I just want to show some concern.” Linda held back a laugh. Terrence Sterling raised an eyebrow, “What’s your relationship with my employee?”
“Terry, you said you wouldn’t interfere us, I see you just can’t bear to…”
“Harvey Fieldmouse,” Terrence Sterling’s gaze hardened, “This is work hours.”
“Alright, alright, I’ll figure it out myself,” Harvey Fieldmouse muttered, surrendering to his authority.
At the hospital, Meredith wore a mask, feeling anxious as she registered and saw a doctor who ordered a urine test. Meredith deliberately drank a lot of water before taking the urine cup to the restroom. After collecting a sample, she washed her hands and left the cup on the sink. Coincidentally, another woman also emerged from a stall with a urine cup, placing them side by side. “Don’t rush, the results will take another half an hour…” the woman spoke on the phone while washing her hands and carelessly took the wrong cup, which happened to be Meredith’s.
Meredith was fixing her hair in front of the mirror and didn’t notice the woman taking her cup. Once done, she took the cup to the sample collection spot. The nurse instructed, “Put this barcode on your cup, come back in half an hour to check the report on the machine and then show the results to the doctor.”
“Alright, thank you,” Meredith then put the barcode as instructed and waited in the lounge. Sitting beside her was the woman who had mistakenly taken the urine cup, continuously talking on the phone.
Meredith could occasionally catch snippets of the conversation. It seemed the woman’s mother wanted her to pressure her wealthy boyfriend for money to support her brother’s life. The half-hour wait felt like an eternity to Meredith. When it was time, she retrieved the report, not fully understanding all the data but recognizing the words “intrauterine pregnancy.” Intrauterine pregnancy… Was she really pregnant?
“Congratulations, you’re pregnant, it’s been forty-two days,” the doctor smiled. “Go home, rest well, start taking folic acid from now on. Is your husband not here?”
Meredith, shocked and disoriented, blurted out, “I’m not married.” The doctor, unfazed, asked, “Do you want the baby then? If not, we can proceed with a termination sooner, and I won’t give you folic acid.”
Termination? Her words sparked intense emotions in Meredith, who then firmly declared, “I want the baby.” Despite her prior hesitation, the doctor’s words solidified her decision. Even as a single mother, she would raise her child. Being an orphan herself, she had once resented her parents for not wanting her, so how could she not want her own child now?