Chapter 1

In the emergency department of a hospital in Jedburgh, the sterile scent of disinfectant filled the air as Charlotte Moore gradually regained consciousness. A nurse was changing the bandages of a nearby patient. Noticing Charlotte stir, she approached and asked, "Charlotte, are you feeling any discomfort?" "No," Charlotte mumbled. "Don't overexert yourself in the coming days. You're pregnant." Charlotte immediately snapped to attention. "Pregnant?" The nurse chuckled softly. "Didn't you notice your period was late?" "I…" Charlotte's voice trailed off, unsure how to explain the irregularities in her cycle, which in that moment, seemed unnecessary. The nurse handed her a stack of papers. "Here's your medical record and the payment slip. Just scan the code to settle your bill, and you're good to go." With countless eyes on her, Charlotte hesitated to review the bill or the medical report. Instead, she quickly pulled out her phone and scanned the payment code. Once outside the observation room, Charlotte anxiously scrolled through her WhatsApp messages, dreading the possibility of being marked absent and losing her attendance bonus. As she feared, a message from her store manager appeared. "Charlotte, you no longer need to come in for your part-time shifts. You fainted this time, and last time, you left claiming your mom was in critical condition. When you walked out, there was only one colleague left working, and it became too much for them. "They were even yelled at by customers. Now, no one is willing to work with you anymore. Your salary for this month has been processed." Charlotte stared at the 1,080-dollar payment. Without wasting another moment, she quickly dialed the store manager's number. "Please, sir, just one more chance. I really need this part-time job. I'm begging you." The manager's voice remained cold and indifferent as he said, "Charlotte, everyone has their own struggles. If you can't handle things, that's your problem. Begging won't change anything." "But, sir, my mom needs a liver transplant. I truly need this job. I'm so sorry. I can take on the shifts alone so my coworker can get some rest—" Before she could finish, the call was abruptly disconnected. Helpless tears sprang to her eyes, quickly trailing down her cheeks and onto her lips. The coldness pierced deep into her heart, while the salty taste lingered on her tongue. Meanwhile, Bianca Fletcher rushed over in a panic after receiving a vague call. The person on the other end hadn't given any details, just saying Charlotte had collapsed at work and was taken away by an ambulance. As Bianca saw Charlotte's tear-streaked face, her heart dropped with fear. "Charlotte, are you okay?" Charlotte kept her head lowered, unable to meet Bianca's worried gaze. "Bianca, let me treat you to a strawberry milkshake," Charlotte said, forcing a weak smile. But inside, her heart was heavy with an unspoken bitterness. Strawberry milkshake… Bianca's heart raced, a sense of unease settling in. "What's going on here?" In a panic, she gently grabbed Charlotte's chin, examining her carefully. Charlotte's face was ashen, her smooth skin stark against the dark circles under her tired eyes. Aside from the clear signs of malnutrition and sleep deprivation, there didn't seem to be anything physically alarming. Charlotte earned only 18 dollars an hour—barely enough to get by, let alone treat Bianca to a milkshake. That money was meant for her mother, Elyse Moore's life-saving treatment. And yet, Charlotte had spent it on buying Bianca a drink. Something wasn't right—something Charlotte couldn't handle on her own. "Charlotte, what's really happening?" Bianca's voice shook, filled with concern. "Whatever it is, you don't have to face it alone. I'm here for you, and so are my parents." "I just wanted to treat you to a milkshake… Let's find a place to sit and talk. I'll tell you everything." "I don't need a milkshake. Let's go to the park. Sitting there costs nothing." Having grown up together, Charlotte could see through Bianca's attempt to hide her feelings. She knew Bianca was trying to protect her pride, unwilling to let on how much she was struggling. To most people, ten bucks for a milkshake wouldn't seem like much. But for Charlotte, it was a small fortune. That amount could cover a day of her mother's nursing care, a bed fee, or even a painkiller injection. To others, it was just a drink, but to Charlotte, it felt like a heavy burden. The cold autumn wind cut through the air, snapping them back to the present moment. Even in the sunlight, Charlotte couldn't feel its warmth. "Look," she said, pulling out the medical report and showing it to Bianca. She stared at the barren tree branches and the dry, yellow grass, her heart heavy. She was a medical student, trained to save lives. Yet, before she could even graduate, she found herself responsible for a life she wasn't prepared for. Bianca's eyes scanned the diagnosis—early pregnancy. "You're pregnant?" She shot up from her seat, anger flashing in her eyes. With a swift motion, she rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight. "Who's the bastard that did this to you? I swear I'll beat the hell out of him!" Charlotte met Bianca's gaze, a flicker of warmth stirring in her chest. "It was my choice," she said. Bianca's anger faded in an instant, like air slowly leaking from a balloon. Without a word, she sank back down beside Charlotte, wrapping her arms tightly around her fragile frame. In the end, it had been Charlotte's decision. As much as Bianca wanted to fight for her, she couldn't alter the harsh reality. "Given your condition, it makes sense you wouldn't have realized you were pregnant," Bianca said softly, trying to comfort her. "It looks like you're only about eight weeks along—an abortion is still an option. I'll find a hospital and go with you." "But…" Charlotte's voice cracked, her throat tightening as the tears streamed down her face. "At eight weeks… the fetus has a heartbeat." Charlotte wasn't someone who cried easily, but now, the tears streamed down her face, followed by gut-wrenching sobs. Forced to let go of her child and unable to save her mother, she felt as if her entire world was collapsing around her. Bianca held her tighter, the reality of the situation pressing in on both of them. Elyse was desperately ill, needing constant medical care, and Charlotte still had four more years until graduation. She could barely keep herself together. How could she possibly raise a child? Bringing the baby into the world just didn't seem like an option. Bianca let out a soft sigh. No comforting words seemed enough to ease the pain Charlotte was carrying. She had no real solution, no way to make it all better. All she could do was hold her close and be the shoulder Charlotte needed when the weight of everything became unbearable. "Bianca… I haven't even saved a life yet, and now I'm about to take one." Charlotte couldn't bring herself to accept it, her fists clenched in anger and disbelief. "Bianca, I've worked so hard… So, why is my life still falling apart? "I'm so exhausted. I just want to go back to Veloria City—to when my mom wasn't sick and to when all I had to focus on was my studies." Charlotte had been diagnosed with amenorrhea as a teenager—no periods for life but still capable of becoming pregnant. That night had been so brief. How could she have known that one time would lead to this? Why was a single emergency contraceptive pill so expensive? Why was a tube of anti-inflammatory ointment so costly? After paying her medical bills, all she had left was barely enough for that one tube of ointment. The cold autumn air stung, and the park felt eerily still. Charlotte and Bianca held each other tightly, their silent tears flowing freely. Charlotte cried, and Bianca cried alongside her. Suddenly, the sharp ringtone of Charlotte's phone pierced the stillness, vibrating against the bench. When Charlotte saw the caller ID, her tears stopped in an instant, her heart tightening in her chest. With shaking hands, she answered the call. "Hello, doctor." "Your mother's medical fees are nearly depleted. You need to make a payment within three days, or we will have to stop her treatment." The call ended abruptly. Charlotte stared at the cracked screen of her phone, feeling as though her heart had shattered along with it. Her thoughts spiraled into confusion. Without realizing it, she placed her hand gently on her flat belly, speaking softly to the little life inside her, "I'm sorry, little one. I can't give you the life you deserve. "Go to a family who can—one with love, stability, and parents who will cherish and care for you as you should be." "What happened to Mdm. Moore?" Bianca asked. Since the call ended, Charlotte had been lost in thought, the tension in her brow speaking volumes more than words ever could. "It's nothing," she replied, forcing a smile. "Bianca, I need to go to the hospital." "Charlotte, I just got paid. Let me send you the money. If it's not enough, I'll figure out another way." Bianca knew that transferring the money in front of Elyse would only bruise her pride. "It's fine. I've got it covered." Bianca's fingers hesitated over her phone, sensing that something wasn't right. Charlotte's part-time job barely brought in any money, and Elyse's medical bills were a never-ending burden. Where would Charlotte suddenly come up with the cash? "Charlotte, tell me the truth—what's really going on with your pregnancy?" "Medical bills," Charlotte replied calmly. Just two words, but Bianca understood right away. She wanted to rebuke Charlotte, but in the end, she held back, biting her tongue. She knew Charlotte's situation better than anyone. When it came to money, Charlotte would do anything. She couldn't blame Charlotte, especially since there was so little she could do to help. "About that night…"