The news struck Gwh like a bolt from the blue.


    If she and Hawthorne were on good terms, she would have been overjoyed.


    But now, with their rtionship in tatters and on the brink of divorce, this child wasing at the worst possible time.


    Gwh stared at the pregnancy report in her hand, her face turning pale.


    "Can you... help me terminate it?"


    It broke her heart, but she saw no other way.


    She couldn''t let the child in her womb grow up without a father, just as she and her siblings had.


    The doctor looked at Gwh in disbelief.


    "The report shows two gestational sacs. It could be twins. Are you sure you don''t


    want them? Twins are incredibly rare; most people could only dream of it."


    If the first piece of news was a lightning strike, this was salt in the wound.


    Two gestational sacs. Twins.


    Then the doctor added, "Your situation is quite umon. Come back for another check-up in a while. You might even be having fraternal twins, a boy and a girl."


    Gwh swayed on her feet, clutching the report.


    As far as she knew, Hawthorne''s family had no history of fraternal twins, though Mr. and Mrs. Everhart did have a son and a daughter, born only a year apart.


    Gwh looked at the doctor. "I''ll think about it. For now, I won''t do anything."


    The risk of having an abortion in Starfall City was too high.


    She knew too many people here.


    If word got back to the Langford patriarch, the shock could cause a serious health crisis for the old man.


    She couldn''t risk it.


    Gwh made up her mind: instead of staying in Starfall City, she would go to Greenvale.


    No one knew her there. She could have the procedure done and then confront Hawthorne to clear the air.


    As long as they cooperated to get through the New Year''s wedding ceremony, they would have done each other a favor.


    He already had his little mistress by his side; he certainly wouldn''t care about the child in her belly.


    The thought sent another sharp pain through Gwh''s heart.


    The doctor nodded at Gwh. "It''s two lives we''re talking about. Besides, a procedure like this can have unforeseenplications always best to avoid an abortion if you can."


    Gwh forced a weak smile. "Please, keep this confidential. I want to surprise my family."


    Whether Gwh was telling the truth or not, the doctor agreed.


    No one dared to gossip about the Langford family.


    The lives of these wealthy families wereplex and saying the wrong thing could cost you your job or worse, your life.


    Gwh left the hospital in a daze, holding the report.


    She didn''t even remember how she got home.


    Seeing her return, the housekeeper、 hurried over with concern. '' had a check-up How did it


    You pregnant?" Content DOU


    you pregnant?" Content bere


    Gwh, of course, wouldn''t tell the truth. "It was nothing. I just had a full physical.


    I''m perfectly healthy."


    The housekeeper just said, "Oh," and didn''t press further.


    Gwh went upstairs and began to pack her bags.


    Looking at the countless missed calls from Hawthorne on her phone, she dialed his


    number for the first time.


    When the call connected, a woman''s voice answered.


    "Who is this?"


    Gwh froze.


    It was broad daylight; she had assumed he would be at the office.


    The voice on the other end repeated, "Hello?"