After four years of marriage, despite taking contraceptive measures, Elisa frequently went to the gynecologist, always prepared for pregnancy. Unfortunately, Hamish never gave her the opportunity to become a mother.
Later, she was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer. She couldn’t even sustain her own life, let alone bear another life. There was a quote in a book that said having a child brings solace, but for Elisa, it wasn’t solace, but rather a burden that would crush her.
Micah also knew that she loved children. After all, she used to talk to him often about how wonderful it would be to have a baby. Elisa stared at her belly, her gaze empty and distant, as if she was looking and not looking. She reached out and touched her abdomen, silently whispering in her heart, “I must choose the right person for rebirth. I’m sorry, baby.”
Her vacant gaze suddenly became resolute for a moment. “Micah, help me terminate the pregnancy. If you’re unwilling, I’ll go to another hospital.” Her attitude made it clear that she couldn’t keep this child, and no one could persuade her otherwise.
Micah withdrew his hand and stared at the computer screen. Many images flashed through his mind. “Your body isn’t suitable for an abortion right now. If you’re determined, you should recover for half a month and then come back. This will give you some time to consider.”
She didn’t need any more time to consider, but Micah insisted as well. Today, it was impossible for him to perform the abortion for her.
The two fell into silence. Elisa stared at the examination report on the table and glanced at Micah. Only then did she notice that Micah’s complexion was very poor, pale with a hint of blue, and he even had dark circles under his eyes.
She had initially thought it was the light from the computer screen that made him look unwell, but upon closer inspection, she realized it wasn’t the case. “Have you not been sleeping well recently?” Elisa could clearly see Micah’s stiff expression and she propped up her chin. “You look terrible.”
Micah touched his own face. “Really?”
Elisa nodded. “Your skin used to be so good, but now you have dark circles and bags under your eyes.”
“I’ve been dealing with some complicated cases recently, and I have meetings every day,” Micah explained, but his gaze seemed evasive. Just as he noticed Autumn standing outside, he pointed at her, successfully changing the subject. “Who’s that person standing outside?”
“I just met him today. He’s the one who brought me to the hospital.”
“He looks quite dull.” Micah originally wanted to say “stupid,” but he changed his wording to be more respectful.
Elisa put it more tactfully. “He grew up in an orphanage and suffered a head injury, which caused some intellectual deficiencies.”
“Is he really dull? Should we get him a brain CT scan later?”
“That’s up to him, but I don’t have much hope. He’s been in this condition for fifteen years.”
“Fifteen years?” Micah unconsciously furrowed his brow. “That’s complicated.”
The human brain is inherently the most complex structure, like a machine. If one component is damaged, the entire machine will malfunction unless the part is replaced. However, some nerves in the brain cannot be replaced.
Elisa suddenly remembered a scene under the wisteria tree and asked Micah, “He gives me a very familiar feeling. Have I met him before?”
“You don’t even remember yourself, yet you’re asking me?” Micah replied.
Elisa continued, “I just wanted to know if you recognize him.”
Micah shifted his gaze to Autumn’s face. Well, this man was indeed handsome. Even someone like him, who had seen many handsome men, couldn’t help but be amazed.
After savoring the sight of him, Micah filtered through his mind and shook his head. “I haven’t seen him before. You probably haven’t either. You never went to the orphanage when you were younger.”
Elisa sighed inexplicably, feeling empty inside.
Micah entered the remaining data into the computer and saved it. “Elisa, I was planning to tell you later…”
“Tell me what?”
Micah, who had been relaxed just a moment ago, suddenly turned serious. A sense of unease arose in her heart.
Micah replied, “I’m going abroad.”
“So suddenly? For how long?”
“I’m not sure.” Micah continued typing on the keyboard as he spoke.
Elisa asked, “What are you going abroad for?”
“To conduct cancer research.”
“Is it because of me that you…”
Micah paused and glanced at her. “Stop flattering yourself. I’m doing this for the greater good of the people.”
Although he said that, Elisa still felt uneasy. The emotions of disappointment and melancholy couldn’t be suppressed. “Why is this happening so suddenly? Research can take a short time, like one or two years, or even more than ten years.”
“It’s not entirely sudden. The medication I gave you was just developed. You were the first to take it, like my experimental subject. By the way, after I leave, you should come to the hospital every month for blood tests. It would greatly help our research.”
Elisa furrowed her brows, wearing a troubled expression. “I thought you were going abroad because of me. I didn’t expect you to treat me as an experiment. After all these years, it was all for nothing.”
Micah chuckled, slightly amused, and reached out to pinch her face. “Why is your skin so thick?”
Elisa put on a playful smile to conceal her inner desolation. She truly hadn’t expected Micah, who had grown up with her, to leave her. Micah’s complexion became somewhat uneasy. “I’ve already arranged another attending physician for you. I explained your situation to her. From now on, no matter what illness you have, you should see her at the hospital.”
Elisa rested her head on the table, murmuring, “You haven’t even left yet, but you’ve already made arrangements for the future. Did you plan all of this in advance?”
There was no prior plan. He had only made the decision a couple of days ago when the Bakers had an accident, and he was unexpectedly attacked by Hamish. He had to leave the country in a hurry.
He couldn’t tell Elisa these things, fearing that she would blame herself and feel guilty. He also feared that she would throw herself against a stone wall.
“Enough with this talk. Later, I’ll take you to meet Dr. Mason.”