Micah had arranged for a young female doctor named Hattie Mason to attend to Elisa. Hattie was 25 years old and had a baby-face, with her long hair tied up in a bun, giving her a lively and charming appearance. Her smooth and tender skin made people want to pinch her cheeks.
Elisa’s initial impression of Hattie was that she was a cheerful and lively girl, but after talking for ten minutes, she didn’t see her smile once. She had a rather reserved personality. When Hattie found out about Elisa’s pregnancy, she had a serious expression on her face and said, “Your body is not suitable for pregnancy right now.”
Elisa paused and turned to look at Micah. “You see, even he agrees. You know your own body, and whether it’s for the sake of the child or for yourself, it’s not suitable to continue the pregnancy.” Hattie then provided several examples, more than Elisa had even considered, explaining the risks and consequences.
“Don’t blame me for being blunt, I’m just stating the facts. It’s up to you whether you want to keep the child or not,” Hattie said.
This straightforward girl was somewhat terrifying, and Elisa’s impression of her changed. In two words, she was reliable. Both Micah and the previous doctors who examined her had advised her to keep the child, but only Hattie suggested that she should have an abortion.
Elisa placed her hand gently on her abdomen. “I was planning to have an abortion too.”
Hattie nodded in agreement. “But it’s not good to do it now. Take a week or two to rest, and then come to the hospital. I will personally perform a painless procedure.”
Hattie had heard Micah talk about Elisa’s situation and knew that she was particularly afraid of pain.
Elisa nodded.
The two of them reached an agreement, and Micah stood beside them, unable to say a word. He glanced at Hattie with a hint of resentment. All the persuasion he had just done was in vain.
Although he understood what Hattie had said, Elisa needed the motivation to keep going, and having a child would provide her with a sense of purpose.
Hattie didn’t notice Micah’s subtle hint and said to Elisa, “From now on, you’ll be under my care.”
“Alright, despite Hattie’s young age, Elisa felt particularly safe with her. Hattie wrote a prescription for Elisa, totaling more than seven hundred. Elisa took the medication and examination report and left the diagnosis room.
Autumn was still waiting outside the door, looking expressionless, like a big wolf, with a demeanor that kept others away. Many people in the hospital turned their heads when they saw such a handsome man standing there.
Autumn seemed to dislike being stared at, and frowned slightly with furrowed brows. When he saw Elisa coming out, his chestnut-colored eyes brightened, and he walked towards her.
Elisa held the bag and said, “Let’s go back.”
Autumn nodded, and his gaze warned Micah, who was standing next to Elisa. Micah touched Elisa’s head, and the hand that hung by his thigh clenched tightly into a fist.
He didn’t like this doctor.
Micah initially wanted to see Elisa off from the hospital, but he was called to the surgical ward by a nurse for something urgent.
Elisa walked ahead, and Autumn followed closely, his eyes fixed on her long hair. He raised his hand and wanted to touch her head, but in the end, reason made him put his hand down.
The dean had said not to casually touch girls, or else he would be disliked.
Elisa didn’t notice Autumn’s thoughts.
“Do you know that doctor?” she asked.
“What?” Elisa turned her head and saw Autumn moving his lips with a puzzled expression. She understood what he wanted to ask.
“He’s my brother, and we grew up together,” she replied.
When Autumn heard that he was just her brother, his tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and he seemed pleased.
Elisa had been observing his expression all this time, and now his face was like the sun breaking through the clouds, shining brightly and captivating her gaze.
Elisa shook her head inwardly, unsure why she felt the need to explain her relationship with Micah to Autumn.
When they reached the hospital entrance, Elisa hailed a taxi and went back to the orphanage, with Autumn waiting for her to get off.
“You should go back; I won’t follow you,” Autumn said anxiously. His mind wasn’t very good, so when faced with a situation, he could only stomp his feet and stand there anxiously, unable to come up with smooth words. He shook his head and said, “No.”
“Don’t worry, I will come back another day,” Elisa reassured him, trying to calm him down. She had heard similar words from Autumn many times before, where people would say things they didn’t mean.
“My car is still parked at the orphanage. I can’t drive it today, but I will definitely come to get it another day,” Elisa patiently explained to him. “Trust me, I will definitely come back, and I’ll bring you some cookies next time.”
“Really?” Autumn’s clear eyes had started to turn red, and he looked pitiful.
“Really!” Elisa reassured him once again. “You be a good boy and help the dean take care of the other children at the orphanage, okay?”
Elisa softened her tone, her voice gentle and tender. Autumn pursed his lips, reluctant to let Elisa go.
“Okay.”
Elisa closed the car door and instructed the driver to start driving. As the car went a considerable distance, she still saw Autumn’s figure in the rearview mirror.
A strange feeling welled up in her heart, difficult for Elisa to describe. It was like eating ice cream mixed with medicine, initially sweet but then bitter, leaving a strange aftertaste in her heart.
She saw her own reflection in Autumn, remembering how she had watched Hamish leave from a distance, and how she had anxiously waited for his return, seeking reassurance with every response he gave.
She couldn’t understand why she saw the same in Autumn, even though they had only known each other for less than a day.
Could it be that the fool had developed feelings for her?
What Elisa didn’t know was that Autumn’s affection for her was the kind that wanted to protect and hide her.
Autumn had an inexplicable sense of reliance on Elisa. He cared for her, felt heartache for her, went crazy when he saw her in distress, and wanted to hit anyone who touched her. If Elisa suddenly ignored him, he would do everything possible to coax her back.