?Chapter 1598:


    After ten minutes, it was Gracie’s turn. Her appointment went smoothly; the doctor checked her vitals, ordered a few tests, and then waved her off.


    Gracie was about to head to the ultrasound area to wait in line. Not far from the doctor’s office, she ran into Elsa again.


    “Elsa, how are you holding up?” she asked, her voiceced with genuine concern.


    Elsa appeared to be in a better mood now. “The doctor gave me the green light to head home. He prescribed some pills, told me to track my blood pressure every day, ease up on the worrying, and I should pull through just fine.”


    Gracie’s face lit up with a warm smile. “Wonderful news! Take good care of yourself, okay?”


    With the weight off her shoulders, Elsa noticed Gracie was alone for her checkup. “Let me go with you. You could use somepany.”


    “That’s sweet of you, Elsa!” Gracie knew she would not have a future with Ethan, but she genuinely enjoyed Elsa’spany. She weed her offer.


    The hospital’s testing areas were packed, long lines snaking through every corridor. In the waiting area, Elsa’s gazended on Emmett, who was steadying Shari as they emerged from a nearby consultation room. Shari wore a pained grimace, one hand pressed to her belly.


    She nced up at Emmett. “This ache in my belly is getting worse. We should have the doctor take another look.”


    Emmett’s forehead creased with deep concern. “Shari, perhaps it’s time to reconsider keeping this pregnancy. The experts at both Central Hospital and Shirie Hospital urged us to end it. We cannot gamble with your well-being for the sake of this.”


    Shari refused with a resolute shake of her head. “Absolutely not. This is my one shot at motherhood. I refuse to give up so easily.”


    Their eyes lifted, meeting Elsa’s in an instant. After a beat of tense, wordless standoff, Elsa let out a derisive huff. “Chasing after a baby at your age? It doesn’t exactly look promising.”


    The barb twisted like a knife, sending fresh waves of pain through Shari’s body.


    Your escape begins with ga ln ov els .


    Emmett was already simmering with frustration. The fresh wound of losing his granddaughter mere days prior gnawed at him; if only he had been watching over her, the tragedy might never have urred. And now, staring down the barrel of potentially losing his own child, his nerves were frayed to the breaking point.


    “Save your cutting remarks for someone who cares. I’m fresh out of patience,” he fired back.


    Elsa wasn’t the type to fold in a fight, especially not against Emmett; she had beaten him in arguments before and wasn’t about to back down now. She turned toward Gracie. “You hop in that line. I’ve got something to deal with.”


    Gracie dipped her head. “Elsa, remember what the doctor said about keeping stress in check. Don’t go picking a fight.” She could tell Elsa was gearing up for a confrontation.


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