Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Chapter 80

In the early hours of the following day, at 3:30 AM.

they both struggled to find restful sleep, consumed by their anxieties over their delayed menstrual cycles. Restless and anxious, they stood in the bathroom, clad in their sleepwear, taking turns to test the pregnancy strips.

Sherri was growing increasingly frantic, urging Natalie, who had been inside for five minutes, “Natalie, are you finished? Why is it taking so long for you to urinate?”

Natalie’s voice echoed from inside, “Just a moment, I’m not done yet.”

“You should come out first. The test strip must be left for 5-10 minutes to obtain accurate results. Waiting inside won’t make any difference.”

The door swung open, and Natalie emerged, clutching the test strip. It displayed a single line. “I see. I’ll use the restroom first. It’s your turn now.”

After four minutes, piercing screams reverberated from the bathroom, “Ah…”

Natalie pushed the door open and entered, glancing around. “What’s going on?”

Sherri’s face was stunned as she opened her mouth, gesturing toward the two test strips on the bathroom counter.

Natalie’s gaze followed Sherri’s gesture, and her eyes widened in disbelief. Mechanically, she turned back to Sherri, who seemed lost in thought.

The two stood there, staring at each other dumbfoundedly for a few minutes. Then, in perfect synchronization, they both exclaimed, “It’s positive.”

There was a brief pause, and they simultaneously repeated, “What should we do?”

Without skipping a beat, they said. “Stay calm.”

Both of them sighed deeply, leaning against opposite sides of the door frame. In perfect unison, they sighed, “Well…” Natalie snapped back to reality, realizing the irreversible situation they were facing. It was like hitting the jackpot, except this time, it was different. “Let’s go. We won’t find any answers in the bathroom. Staring at this test strip won’t miraculously change the result. You don’t possess any magical powers.”

Sherri followed with a gloomy expression as they exited the restroom. Both of them took their seats on opposite ends of the couch. Sherri crossed her legs and slumped, “Natalie, what do you plan to do? You just got divorced. Perhaps… you should consider…” She wanted to suggest that Natalie consider terminating the pregnancy, but as an obstetrician-gynecologist, those words proved challenging to utter.

her legs and leaned against the couch, tilting her head backward. “I

stillness, punctuated only by the distant howl of

Could they have expired or been counterfeit? It’s perplexing how even imported pills couldn’t prevent this. Are their little warriors

evading the effects of birth control pills?

“Ahem, perhaps we didn’t take

her expertise to

“What’s your plan then? You’re not married yet,

the discussion from the topic of birth control

out a sigh. “I don’t know what to do. If Edward finds out, he’ll probably tear me apart.” Natalie contemplated momentarily,

“Are you insane? Weren’t you planning to go abroad after the

like I’m in my first or second year. The training programs at the university have students of all ages,

is his biological child, but we’re already divorced. This child is mine. Please, don’t let it slip. If you do, our friendship will come to an end. I want to have

she understood Natalie’s intentions. Since her grandfather’s passing, she had no blood relatives with whom she shared a true kinship. Despite the biological connection with that scumbag dad, having no ties at all

she knew the days ahead would be

to terminate its life because it’s Hackett’s ofspring. You know, after being a doctor for so many years. I’ve never performed an abortion. I couldn’t bear to endure such a procedure now that I am in this situation. If I were to carry

others might question it, she knew it was a

mother, Juana, would not let her off

serious matter, not something to be taken lightly. If you

countered with a question, “And

a lot of thought. I’ve realized that one doesn’t necessarily need to be bound to a man for a lifetime. I can still cherish over 20 years of companionship and joy if I have a son. And if I have a daughter, she can grow up to be a lifelong

up my mind. I will choose to keep the baby. If, in the future, I happen to meet someone I genuinely love and who loves me in return, someone who can

still lead fulfilling lives as independent women. We can enjoy our time together, strolling

up and teased, “Natalie, let’s have a little fun tonight and play baby matchmaking. If I have a girl and you have a boy, we’ll

too many romantic dramas, haven’t you? What are you even thinking? It’s the 21st century. We don’t do baby matchmaking anymore.”

for it, huh? Don’t you feel

lost

in your belly is an embryo. It’s a bit