Chapter 20 Upon her arrival at the hospital , Summer looked around her with a strange look and asked softly , " Why don't we go to a bigger hospital ? There is no guarantee that nothing would go wrong in a smaller hospital like this one . " " That wouldn't be convenient , " Victoria replied in a neutral tone . As she did not expect herself to get pregnant , she went to a hospital , in which there were people whom Griselda knew working , for a check - up . Now that she wanted to have her condition looked into , there was no way she would go back to that hospital if she wanted to keep it a secret . After all , there could be a risk that someone there would tell Griselda about her pregnancy , which was why she decided to visit a smaller hospital for that . After Summer took care of the registration and payment , Victoria was required to go through several check - ups . Then , the two ladies sat in the chairs and waited for Victoria's turn to see the doctor . At the same time , Summer could not take her eyes off Victoria as she kept peeking at her more than ten times in just a matter of minutes . Meanwhile , Victoria quickly became puzzled and annoyed with her friend's reaction . " What ? Why are you looking at me like that ? " " I was just wondering when you've become this cold , " Summer spoke with her eyes turning red . When Victoria heard that , she could not help but question herself . Have l ? Have I become cold ? " You're … the mother of this child ," Summer said with a barely audible voice , but Victoria was somewhat touched by her friend's words as she subconsciously rubbed her belly . She is right . I'm the mother of my child . Victoria was caught in her thoughts with a heavy heart , but unfortunately , the grim reality did not seem to leave her much of a choice . When Summer saw the hesitance on her face , she quickly seized the chance and said , " I'm sure you don't want this to happen , right , Victoria ? Let's think of some other way . " " Some other way ? " Victoria was stunned , asking herself if there was another way for her to get out of the hook because it seemed to her that she was already at her wits ' end . " That's right . " Summer seized Victoria's shoulders . " Let's think of another way . I'm sure we'll figure something out because I know the last thing you , of all people , ever want is to lose your child , yet you're forced to … Plus , we only discovered your condition not long ago , so let's just think this through without rushing into a bad decision . You don't want to do something you'll regret later for the rest of your life . " Victoria nodded in response just when she heard someone calling her name . Since it was still early in the morning , there were not a lot of people at the hospital . Thus , she stood up and walked toward the ward . " Alright . I'm going to see what the doctor says ." Thinking they could still decide what to do after the check - up , Summer calmly replied , " Sure , go ahead . " While the interior was filled with a chilly aura , the hospital was mainly a place where people went for abortions . Therefore , when the doctor received Victoria's pregnancy report , he took off his glasses and glared at her . " Are you sure you want to proceed with the abortion ? " After hearing the doctor , Victoria , already overwhelmed by complicated emotions , paused in a trance . In the meantime , the doctor was no stranger to seeing such an expression as it was not surprising at all . Soon , he went on to brief her regarding the process of abortion and told her about the payment . " Well , you can carry on with the payment once you made up your mind . Next . " " Thank you . " She stood up and walked out the door . Summer , who had been waiting for Victoria outside , walked up to her as soon as she saw her . " What did the doctor say ? " When Victoria recalled the doctor's words , she went weak in her knees and collapsed onto the ground , but Summer was quick enough to get a hold of her . " Are you alright ? " " I'm fine … " Victoria nodded . " What's wrong ? Didn't you eat this morning ? " Summer took Victoria to the bench and sat her down , asking in a worried manner . Needless to say , Victoria was not in the mood to eat at all . In actuality , she had been suffering from a bad appetite recently , indicating reasons related to her health problems and pregnancy , but Summer believed it could also be due to that man . " Your face looks pale . Are you not feeling well ? " " Maybe I'm low on sugar , " Victoria replied . " I'll get you a little something to eat . Wait for me . I'll be back soon . " Summer closed her eyes and left . As soon as she did , Victoria leaned on the bench and closed her eyes in exhaustion , but at the same time , she started to hear conflicting two voices in her head . " What do you think you're doing ? I thought you made up your mind to go ahead with it . Furthermore , you're already here at the hospital , so what're you waiting for ? You'll forever be in pain so long as this matter remains unsolved . Don't forget , he already made it clear that he'd divorce you . " " So what ? You're a grown adult , Victoria . Can't you afford to raise a child ? " * Raising a child is not just about money . Think about the mental and emotional stress that a mother has to go through . " " If you're worried your child will suffer without a father , you can always marry again . After all , you're still so young and can find another man who'll treat you right . " Overwhelmed by her low blood sugar and the voices in her head , Victoria had a terrible headache until a surprised voice was heard . " Victoria ? Is that you , Victoria ? " While the voice did not sound real to her , she thought she was hearing things at first , However , as the voice became clearer , she opened her eyes and looked in the direction of the voice , whereupon she saw a woman in her forties looking at her with a strange expression . After taking a few seconds to make out who she was , Victoria sat straight with her face changing , as if the pain in her body was all gone . " Oh , my God . I can't believe it's you . " That woman enthusiastically greeted Victoria once she managed to identify her . " I saw you from a distance earlier , but I thought it was someone else . What brings you here ? " On the other hand , Victoria could not force a smile because she did not expect to see a familiar face in a small hospital . I came here because I wanted to avoid running into acquaintances , yet I still bumped into a familiar face . Why ?! As if it was not surprising enough , what made her stunned even more was that the woman she just ran into was the same woman who always hung around with Alaric's mother - Samantha Keith . Unable to escape from that dilemma , Victoria was forced to act calm and face the woman . " Hi , Miss Keith . I came here with a friend who had an appointment . " She knew Summer would not be back so soon and believed Samantha and Alaric's mother did not know her friend , so she bet they would not run their mouths . " I see . " Samantha shifted her eyes to Victoria's belly when something crossed her mind , seemingly finding her somewhat fishy . Aware of Samantha's mean and sarcastic nature , Victoria knew how terrible this lady was at keeping secrets . Thus , she found herself unlucky to have run into her in the hospital , pursing her lips with a darkened look . As she expected , Samantha's big mouth began to indulge itself , her eyes staring at her belly . " So , where is your friend ? Why are you alone ? Is there something you're hiding ? Tsk ! Tsk ! Tsk ! Mary always praised her daughter - in - law when we hung out , but I bet she has no idea her daughter - in - law is right here hiding something shady from me . " Although Victoria was bound by her honor to respect someone older than her like Samantha , she could not accept her disrespectful and sarcastic remark , reacting with a darkened expression . " What proof do you have to say that , Miss Keith ? You need to watch your tongue . What do you mean by hiding something shady from you ? If you keep smearing my name like that , I'm going to take legal action against you for defamation . " " Oh , come on . " Samantha acted as if she was frightened . " Why are you overreacting ? Calm down . I was just joking . Are you actually … " *