The atmosphere in the sterile ultrasound room grew heavy, almost suffocating. Alisa’s voice quivered with disbelief, “This… this isn’t right. This… this is abnormal.”
Dr. Collins furrowed his brow as he glanced at the screen. “I’m afraid you’re correct, Alisa. The measurements are far beyond what we’d expect for human fetuses. We need further investigation.”
As Maggie regained her awareness, confusion, fear, and a glimmer of hope intertwined in her mind. She reached out to Alisa, her voice trembling. “What’s happening? What did they find?”
Alisa held Maggie’s hand tightly, her eyes filled with tears. “Maggie, the ultrasound shows that the baby… their development is extraordinary… nothing like a pair of human fetuses. We don’t fully understand them yet.”
Maggie’s heart sank, tears streamed down her cheeks. This news weighed heavily upon her, filling her with a sense of helplessness.
How could she protect her children from unknown harm? How could she bear to see her children suffer?
In a broken voice, she turned to Alisa for guidance, her words heavy with sorrow. “What should I do, Alisa? I can’t bear to see my children suffer.”
Alisa’s eyes reflected Maggie’s pain as she searched for the right words. She gently squeezed Maggie’s hand, drawing upon her inner strength to provide comfort.
“Maggie, we have to consider all possibilities. For you and the children, terminating the pregnancy might be the best option. We can’t risk any further complications.”
Maggie’s tears left traces of pain and hesitation on her cheeks. Her trembling body reflected the turmoil deep within her. Each tear carried the agony of surrender, as if dreams and hope slipped through her fingertips, disappearing into an uncertain abyss.
Every fiber of Maggie resisted the idea of termination, as if an intangible connection had formed between her and the tiny lives growing inside her. She closed her eyes, seeking comfort in the chaos of her emotions, as if the baby reached out to her, gently calling her, tugging at her maternal instinct.
Maggie envisioned tiny fingers holding onto hers, sweet voices calling her “mom.” The thought of her children enduring any pain shattered her heart and could break her fragile resolve.
But reality lay before her, cruel and unrelenting, weighing heavily on her heart. Doubts crept in, could she protect her children from a fate she couldn’t understand?
As Maggie lay on the cold operating table, preparing to submit to the surgeon’s scalpel, an overwhelming fear enveloped her. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t end their lives before they even began. She had invested so much, yearned for this final chance on countless nights!
“No!” Maggie seized a fleeting moment when the doctor turned to prepare his instruments and hastily leaped off the bed, running out without regard for anything else.
Alisa was taken aback. She turned to the doctor, saying, “I’m sorry, but I need to calm her down. I can’t gamble with Maggie’s life and the lives of the two unborn children. I love Maggie more than anything.”
Through the long corridor, past numerous emotionally charged patients, Alisa quickly caught up with the distraught Maggie.
“Maggie, my dearest sister…” Alisa gently placed her hand on Maggie’s arm, only to find her face streaked with tears.
Maggie shook her head, saying, “Alisa, I’ve been selfish. I can’t stand myself right now. I understand your and the doctor’s concerns. I know it’s unfair to bring unhealthy children into this world. As the one bringing them here, I have to take responsibility…”
“Maggie, you shouldn’t have rushed out of the operating room; it’s not too late yet,” Alisa pulled out tissues, tenderly wiping away Maggie’s tear-streaked face.
Maggie, her voice quivering with emotion, protested, “But I can’t. I’ve longed for my children for so long, yearned for a home. I promise I’d be the best mother, giving them the love I craved for in my childhood, a hundredfold, a thousandfold! Alisa, please help me…”
Alisa, who had unwaveringly supported Maggie, fell into silence. She held Maggie’s hand and said, “I’ll take you somewhere.”
Alisa brought Maggie to a place resembling a beautiful fairytale world. There were exquisitely decorated candy trees, lush flowers, and soft grass. Cute dolls were scattered on a white swing, and spinning crystal balls carried countless wishes from parents for their children’s health.
However, among the children there, some were born blind, unable to see the light, only swayed on the swings by medical professionals. Some had mental disabilities, unresponsive to caregivers’ guidance, even when food was placed near their lips. Maggie touched her belly, filled with despair and helplessness. Would her children… also face the same fate?
Alisa spoke slowly and cruelly, “Maggie, are you sure you want to bring the children into this world? I believe your love for them knows no bounds, but are you willing to let them live deformed lives? You’ve already suffered so much; are you willing to let them face such hardships from the moment they are born?”
“No, I love them…” Maggie shook her head, stepping back.
“What you’re feeling isn’t love; it’s a shackle. It’s the source of their suffering, the cruelest executioner robbing them of their happiness,” Alisa was unyielding, urging Maggie to face reality. “Let go; that’s your greatest love for them.”
As Maggie contemplated the challenges her children might face in the future, she felt lost. She buried her face in Alisa’s shoulder, tears streaming down. “Alisa, I understand now. I understand. I’ll proceed with the surgery.”
“Maggie, don’t be sad; you still have me. I’ll always be your family.” Alisa gently patted Maggie’s back, filled with sympathy.
Alisa brought Maggie back to the operating room, and Maggie’s body had lost all vitality, like a lifeless shell.
As Maggie prepared for the impending surgery, the operating room turned into a cold and sterile stage. When she lay down, the stainless steel table chilled her skin, and the sterile scent filled her nostrils. It was an unforgettable reminder that her decision was final. Yet, a glimmer of hope flickered in her heart, hoping that her children could overcome all obstacles and find a path to thrive.
As the anesthesiologist approached Maggie with a syringe, ready to administer anesthesia, the door suddenly swung open with a loud bang. Aldrich stood in the doorway, his face flushed, his eyes flashing with anger. His voice echoed through the room, capturing everyone’s attention.
“Stop! Cease everything!”
The medical staff exchanged incredulous glances, torn between fear and curiosity as they waited for Aldrich’s next move. Maggie’s heart raced in her chest, her thoughts spinning rapidly. Could he bring a glimmer of hope in the darkness, or would his presence only deepen the despair?
The room fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the heavy breathing of Aldrich.