Chapter 4

Bao Caihong, a renowned young businesswoman, of course she was no stranger to commanding respect. As the doctor entered the room, his expression softened slightly, a silent acknowledgment of her status and influence. Despite her weakened state, Bao Caihong maintained an air of authority, her gaze steady as she met the doctor's eyes.

With a gentle smile, the doctor approached her bedside, his tone calm and reassuring. "Ms. Bao, I'm Dr. Li," he introduced himself in fluent English. He bent his waist to look into her eyes and measured her temperature with the stethoscope he had hung around his neck.

"What was my condition when I was brought here, Dr. Li?" Bao Caihong asked as her hands clenched tightly in her lap, her knuckles turning white with tension.

"Ms. Bao," the doctor began, his voice measured and steady. "Your legs were broken and you were on life support, and also, you've been in a coma for three months, and your body is still recovering from the trauma. When you were brought in, we discovered that you were two weeks pregnant."

Bao Caihong's breath caught in her throat at the mention of her being pregnancy.

Pre- pregnant?

Like, a life is growing within me?

"What?" Her eyes widened in shock. "You mean I'm pregnant? Right now?"

Dr. Li nodded, "Yes, when you were brought in, we discovered that you were two weeks pregnant. However…" the doctor paused, his expression grave, "due to the severity of the accident, there were complications. You were at risk of miscarriage, but we were able to intervene in time to save the baby."

"What?"

Bao Caihong turned to James, her eyes searching for confirmation. She needed to know if what the doctor had said about her pregnancy was indeed true. James met her gaze and nodded his head, his expression filled with empathy and understanding. He grabbed a file, brought out a sheet of paper, and then passed it to her.

Bao Caihong knew what it was already and with a trembling hand, she reached out to accept the pregnancy test report that James brought to her. Her heart hammered in her chest as she unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the words before her.

Positive.

The word seemed to leap off the page, mocking her with its cruel certainty. Tears welled up in Bao Caihong's eyes as the reality of her situation sank in. She was three months pregnant with the child of the man who had betrayed her, a constant reminder of the pain and betrayal she had faced.

Her hands shook as she clutched the report, her vision blurred by the tears that threatened to roll down her cheeks. She couldn't believe this was happening to her. She had dreamed of starting a family one day, but never like this. 

Never with a man who had shattered her trust and broken her heart.

As she stared at the words on the page, a mix of emotions surged within her. Anger, sadness, and disbelief took control of her thoughts. How could she bring a child into a world filled with such pain and betrayal?

A wave of grief washed over her, threatening to consume her fragile resolve. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought to maintain her composure. She clenched her fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to contain the torrent of emotions raging within her. 

"How... how is the baby?" she managed to choke out, her voice barely above a whisper. Her heart ached with the weight of her words, the fear of what the doctor's answer might entail.

Dr. Li's gaze softened, his expression filled with compassion. "The baby is stable for now, but we need to monitor it's condition closely," he replied gently. "We'll do everything we can to ensure it's well-being"

She still could not believe that she was 3 months pregnant for Gao Ming. She pressed her palm on her tummy, hoping to feel the baby move or something. "Can I have a scan done?" She sighed as she asked in a low voice.

"Yes, yes, there's no problem doing that"

"As soon as possible" She raised her head to look at Dr. Li. She saw as Dr. Li nodded his head and walked out of the room. 

Bao Caihong closed her eyes, her heart heavy with gratitude and hope. This child, she realized, was a symbol of grit to keep going, a beacon of light in the darkness of her despair. Despite the circumstances of it conception, this baby was hers, and she would do everything in her power to protect and cherish it.

With a deep breath, Bao Caihong wiped away her tears and clutched the pregnancy test report to her chest. Despite the uncertainty of what would happen to her and her baby, she knew that she was not alone. She had her Grandma by her side, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Thinking of her grandmother, it had been months since the accident, and she realized that she hadn't spoken to her since then. Her grandmother must be worried sick, she thought, her heart heavy with concern.

Turning to James, she asked in a low voice, "How is my grandmother? Did she call to ask of me?"

"Your grandmother did call," James confirmed, his voice gentle. "But I had to switch off your phone, so she couldn't reach you directly. I told her that you were very busy and wouldn't be able to pick up her calls for now."

"Oh" Bao Caihong nodded her head. She felt a wave of relief wash over her at James's words. Despite her absence, her grandmother had understood and respected her need for space. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at her conscience.

"I need to talk to her," Bao Caihong said, her voice firm with determination. "I need to let her know that I'm okay."

James nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of reconnecting with family during difficult times. "I'll arrange for you to speak with her," he said, his tone reassuring.

Bao Caihong thought, despite the physical distance between them, she knew that their bond was unbreakable, and she drew strength from the thought of their unwavering love and support for each other. It was this same woman- Bao Yulan- who brought her up, took care of her and made her understand what life means.