Chapter 199

Evelyn's lips curved slightly as she continued walking.

Peter Harrison kept pace nervously beside her, his voice trembling. "Evelyn, I truly don't understand your thoughts. Could you give me a straight answer? Even if you're sentencing me to death, let me know why."

Evelyn stopped abruptly and met his gaze. "Peter, there are two things I must tell you first."

"Go ahead."

"First, I currently have no romantic feelings for you. To be honest, I don't even know how to love someone."

The hope in Peter's eyes dimmed visibly.

His shoulders slumped noticeably at the words "no romantic feelings."

"But I'll be honest—my parents, my sister, they all adore you. Auntie Lucy has mentioned this to me too. After much consideration, I think being with you would bring stability to my life."

The light returned to Peter's downcast eyes.

"The second matter is more important." Evelyn took a deep breath. "I've had an abortion."

Peter's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"Not only am I divorced, but I terminated a pregnancy. Even my parents don't know this. But I felt you deserved to know before making your decision. If you can accept it, we can try dating."

Silence fell between them.

Evelyn had expected this reaction. A well-qualified bachelor like Peter could easily find an unmarried woman.

Wasn't there that saying online? Secondhand is fine, but not haunted.

Her honesty was meant to ensure transparency between them.

"If you can't accept it, that's fine. Like you said, we can remain like siblings. The elders can't force us together forever. Eventually, when one of us finds someone new, they'll let go of this idea."

Peter's Adam's apple bobbed heavily. "Evelyn, I won't lie to you. I was seriously considering marriage and children with you... So, could you give me some time to think?"

Evelyn nodded firmly. "Of course."

In the end, she didn't use the bandage he offered. She went home and used a waterproof one from her own first-aid kit.

There was still a surgery scheduled for tomorrow.

After a week's break, Evelyn returned to work.

Olivia Lightfoot was dozing at her desk when Evelyn tapped the surface lightly. "Time for rounds."

Olivia jolted awake. "Yes!"

A week's absence had brought changes to the ward. One expectant mother had delivered a healthy baby girl, while another—four months pregnant—had to terminate due to a severe medical condition.

When the latter saw Evelyn, her eyes welled up instantly. She clutched Evelyn's hand. "Dr. Carter, my baby is gone."

Evelyn had learned to comfort patients calmly. "I understand your pain. Time will heal this. Once your body recovers, you can try again. If fate allows, that child may choose you as its mother once more."

The woman broke down sobbing in her arms.

Evelyn was grateful for the waterproof bandage—ordinary ones wouldn't have survived the flood of tears.

After consoling the patient, Evelyn flipped through the charts. "How's Natalie Stapleton doing?"

Olivia's expression turned odd.

Evelyn paused. "Out with it. Did her mother-in-law really take her to Hong Kong for a gender test?"

Olivia licked her lips. "Her mother-in-law claimed our hospital wasn't professional enough. She had connections elsewhere and forced Natalie to transfer."

"The director approved this?"

Olivia shrugged helplessly. "What choice did he have? Simon Stapleton sided with his mother. If the director had refused, it would've meant forcing them to divorce."