<b>Chapter </b><b>665 </b>


    Jayson was confident he could find a way to soothe and persuade Ariel as long as he was around.


    She thought for a moment. Three dayster happened to be the Saturday she had scheduled for the


    abortion.


    Perfect timing, in a way.


    “Okay,” she replied calmly.


    She didn’t intend to go behind his back anyway. There was no need. She would tell him on Saturday. 1


    Noticing she didn’t object, Jayson exhaled quietly in relief. He knew that once Ariel said yes, she wouldn’t go back on her word.


    He didn’t let the military base car take her home; he drove her himself instead.


    He needed to leave and return early from his business trip. This was about the SX alloy. He had to take care of some procedural issues to ensure Ariel’s military base project wasn’t disrupted. <fn866c> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fn866c>


    Once Jayson left, Ariel opened the fridge. Inside were neatly washed and cut fruits, and the dinner he had prepared. She just needed to reheat it.


    Jayson didn’t know her password, but her lock had a mechanical key, and he probably had a copy.


    Ariel made a mental note to change to a purely numeric lock.


    On Friday afternoon, Ariel went to the hospital. She needed a pre–procedure assessment with Liam today, so the abortion could take ce the next day.


    Just stepping into the hospital stirred a lingering ache in her chest.


    She drew a deep breath, forcing down the sense of despair, and resolutely entered the lobby.


    However, something felt off as she walked in. She turned around to look.


    She couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had been watching her. But with the crowd in the lobby, it could have been an illusion. 1


    Ariel rubbed her forehead and rode the esctor upstairs.


    Liam had two surgeries scheduled today but made time for Ariel to hand her a checklist, which involved a gynecological exam and an ultrasound.


    “These two tests will give results quickly. The gynecological exam will confirm your uterine condition, and the other is for anesthesia assessment,” Liam said, his gaze gentle and steady.


    “There’s no need to be nervous. You can have Ms. Swanson apany you if you want.”


    Ariel shook her head. “I haven’t told her. Today is just the assessment. No need to trouble anyone.”


    The procedure was tomorrow. She could handle today on her own.


    Liam noticed the sorrow hidden beneath her calm demeanor.


    He nced at his watch. “I’ve got a surgerying up that should take about an hour. <b>I’ll </be <i>see </i>you once it’s over. It’s alwaysforting to have someone there.”


    Ariel just smiled faintly. “Thank you, but it’s really fine.”


    With that, she turned and left.


    Several tests would take some time, with the anesthesia assessment scheduledst.


    After waiting in line for quite a while, it was finally Ariel’s turn. She needed a physical examination before her anesthesia assessment.


    But as she entered, a nurse led her to another room.


    “Isn’t it there?” Ariel pointed to a nearby room. Everyone else seemed to have headed there. (1)


    Without turning, the nurse said, “Your case is special. You require two additional procedures.”


    Ariel didn’t argue. Her condition was indeed different from the others, so she simplyplied.


    Inside, she saw a masked doctor.


    “Just lie down here,” he instructed.


    Ariel nodded absentmindedly. As shey down, her hand instinctively brushed her stomach. There was a slight curve already.


    She was naturally very slim and couldn’t eat much, so her belly didn’t look very noticeable, even in the advanced months of pregnancy.


    At this moment, Ariel could hear her own racing heartbeat.


    The thought that these assessments were a step toward “killing” her baby sent a sharp ache through her throat, and moisture pricked her eyes.


    She bit her tongue, forcing herself to steel her heart.


    The doctor came closer, shading the bright light.


    Ariel opened her eyes, only to meet a pair of eyes that looked indifferent.


    He restrained her arm and held a syringe filled with liquid.


    Ariel suddenly became fully alert. A cold sweat broke out for no reason. “What is this? Does the assessment require an injection?” 1


    Instead of answering, the doctor signaled the nurse to help hold her down.


    Ariel sensed danger immediately. She tried to rise, but he pressed her shoulders firmly down.