Teresa stood up to wash her face. “I’m not in the mood to talk about abortion right now. Just leave me alone for a while.”

Jennifer frowned but felt relieved after finding Teresa. Since Teresa refused to face her, Jennifer had no choice but to leave.

Jennifer went to the hospital. During a meeting, her name was suddenly called. The department head commended her dedication and sense of responsibility, hailing her as a role model for her colleagues. Jennifer maintained a calm facade, expressionlessly accepting the praise.

“Dr. Nelson, please stay. Everyone else can go back to work now,” the department head announced.

After the others left, the department head said, “Jennifer, I know you want to leave the Maternal and Child Health Hospital. What do you think about Nareigh General Hospital? The higher-ups are planning to transfer you there. The salary and benefits will be better, and you’ll start as the associate department head. What do you think?”

Jennifer was stunned. The unexpected offer left her surprised and uneasy.

The department head asked, “Judging by your expression, you’re not happy about it?”

“It’s not that,” Jennifer replied, “I just feel it’s too sudden. Besides, I haven’t even met the qualifications for an associate senior title yet.”

The department head said, “You certainly have. You’ve been outstanding in every evaluation, and patients often send letters commending you. Nareigh General Hospital is newly established, with more advanced equipment than we have here. They’re seeking to recruit talent, especially someone as outstanding as you. The leadership hopes you can have a better development platform. If you go there, you’ll start as an associate department head. In a few years, you may even become the department head. I’m sure you can achieve it.”

After some hesitation, Jennifer apologized, saying, “I’m sorry. I need to discuss this with my family.”

The department head said, “Alright. Please let me know your decision as soon as possible. I really hope you stay in Nareigh. Nareigh General Hospital is set to become the largest and best hospital in the region. If you’re considering moving to Shaville, the benefits will indeed be great. But think about it. You’d have to rent a place there. Why go through the hassle of moving when Nareigh has everything you need right here?”

“Yeah… Thank you so much for your consideration. I’ll think it over carefully,” replied Jennifer.

Then, Jennifer left the office.

That afternoon during her shift, a young woman with a slightly rounded belly walked in. She looked at Jennifer with a helpless expression and asked, “I just found out I’m pregnant. What should I do?”

Jennifer examined the girl and confirmed she had been pregnant for three months. Jennifer sighed inwardly, thinking, ‘Another tricky situation.’

She said, “Miss, you look young. Didn’t you notice you’ve missed your period for three months?”

“I…” The girl lowered her head. “My boyfriend just passed away in a car accident. I didn’t know I was carrying his child. I thought my period was just irregular because of the stress.”

Jennifer sighed softly. Her thoughts drifted to her own wayward younger sister.

Jennifer said, “From a medical perspective, the baby already has a heartbeat. Abortion would be a tough decision. But ultimately, it’s your choice. If you decide to keep the baby, you’ll be raising it as a single mom.”

The girl nodded. “I understand, Doctor. But I still want to keep this baby.”

Jennifer kept her face neutral. “Alright. Then you should be prepared for the challenges ahead. Being a single mom is no easy road. My sister was in the same situation and insisted on having her baby. It’s exhausting.”

The girl stroked her belly and said, “I’d rather be tired than alone. This is a life growing inside me. I can’t abort it. My parents passed away when I was very young. This baby will be my family member who can keep me company.”

Jennifer was momentarily at a loss for words, even after the girl had left. The girl’s last sentence echoed in Jennifer’s mind. Jennifer couldn’t help but wonder if this was how…

Growing up without her parents, Teresa cherished Michael. Jennifer felt that perhaps the child in Teresa’s womb was her way of gaining another family member, another source of companionship.

As Jennifer sat at her desk feeling restless, a cup of coffee suddenly appeared in front of her. As she looked up and saw a familiar, warm face, her heart skipped a beat, because ever since that kiss on Donald’s birthday, she had been avoiding him and was reluctant to face him.

Donald wasn’t blind to her avoidance. But at that moment, he wasn’t about to let Jennifer run away again.

“What’s bothering you? You can tell me. Maybe I can help,” Donald said.

Jennifer sighed and shared the story of the unfortunate young girl she had just encountered.

Donald nodded. “As doctors, we can only guide patients. They need to make their own decisions. Just like signing off on surgery, even if they regret it later, it’s still their choice.”

“Maybe,” Jennifer replied. “I just can’t help but feel for that girl. Being a single mother is tough, but she insists on going through it.”

Donald gently ruffled Jennifer’s hair and said, “But she has a child now. She has a family of her own. Isn’t that a kind of happiness? Why take that from her?”