Ayla turned her face away from Ethan and closed her eyes again, this time, more deeply. In the silence, her thoughts swirled with a reality she could no longer ignore. She was a doctor. A woman with big ambitions. She was on a career path she had built with relentless effort and sacrifice. Becoming an internal medicine specialist was no small goal. It was her dream, and this pregnancy unplanned, the result of a relationship that should never have happened threatened to destroy everything she had achieved.
If the scandal came to light, it wouldn't just be her reputation that crumbled, but also the trust of her patients, colleagues, even the institution she worked for. She could lose her license. She could lose everything. Could she still be seen as a doctor if society viewed her as a woman carrying the child of a married man?
Tears welled in her eyes, but Ayla held them back. She refused to appear weak, even in front of herself.
No. She had to be strong. She had thought this through. Her career, her dreams, her future, they would not survive if she allowed herself to be swept away by guilt or fleeting emotions.
The decision was made. Ayla slowly opened her eyes, her gaze blank as she stared at the hospital room ceiling. She knew there would be consequences. Ethan would be angry, maybe disappointed, maybe even hate her. But she couldn't live with the regret of sacrificing her dream for something born out of one night's mistake.
She would terminate the pregnancy. Not because she was incapable of being a mother. But because she wanted to remain true to herself.
She was a doctor. A woman with a vision, not someone known for destroying another woman's home.
The door creaked open softly. The faint sound pulled Ethan from his half-sleep. He sat up, eyes heavy, and looked toward the door. A doctor and a nurse entered, carrying a data tablet and the usual polite smiles. Ethan stood from the sofa where he had spent the night and made way for the doctor to examine Ayla.
"Good morning," the doctor greeted gently. "We'll just check on Dr. Ayla for a moment."
Ethan gave a small nod, eyes never leaving Ayla's face. Her eyes were red, like she had been crying. She still looked pale, exhausted—frail. He knew too well that it wasn't just her body that was tired, but her spirit. Since last night, after closing her eyes, Ayla hadn't spoken a single word.
His mind returned to the night before. After Ayla had shut her eyes, he had stood by the window, gazing at the city lights. He stared blankly outside, trying to make sense of the chaos. Behind those bright lights, his thoughts churned endlessly.
Had he made the right decision by saying he would take responsibility? Could he truly protect Ayla and the child under these circumstances? Ethan took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Memories from the past returned to haunt him.
He had married Katherine, his longtime friend, years ago, not out of love, but pity. Katherine had been pregnant by her lover, who had disappeared without a trace. To preserve her dignity, Ethan had married her. He knew she wasn't the woman he loved, but he had believed time would make things easier.
Fate had other plans. The baby was lost in an accident, and since then, their relationship had grown increasingly distant. His parents had never fully accepted Katherine, especially after learning the child wasn't Ethan's. But still, he stayed. He refused to divorce her, even though it cost him many things, including his family's approval.
"Mr. Ethan?" the doctor's voice pulled him from his thoughts. A gentle tap on the shoulder. "It seems Dr. Ayla isn't the only one who needs rest. You do too."
Ethan offered a faint smile. "How are they?"
"Overall, her condition is stable. But Dr. Ayla must remain on strict bed rest until the second trimester. We need to ensure there are no complications with the pregnancy. There will be further tests to assess whether she's ready to return to work."
"I feel fine. I can go back to work and carry on like usual," Ayla said suddenly and fixed on the doctor.
The doctor smiled gently. "That's your mind talking, not your body. So for now, I strongly suggest you take leave. It's for your safety and the baby's."
"Thank you..." Ayla began, but Ethan interrupted.
"Thank you, doctor. You may return to your station," Ethan said firmly, his tone making it clear he didn't want a discussion.
The doctor looked at Ethan for a moment, then nodded and left with the nurse. Now only the two of them remained.
Silence.
Ayla slowly sat up on the edge of the bed, her back resting lightly against the pillows. Her eyes were fixed on Ethan, who stood with his back to the window. He looked exhausted, his shoulders slightly tense, gaze distant, lost in thoughts of one thing: the pregnancy.
"I'm going to terminate this pregnancy," Ayla said flatly. No preamble. No emotion.
Ethan turned at once. His face tensed, eyes widening.
"What? Ayla, no! We talked about this last night!" his voice rose, a mix of panic and anger.
"That was your decision, not mine!" Ayla snapped back, eyes burning with resolve.
Ethan stepped forward, his expression cooling into a more intense calm. "Like it or not, you're still carrying my child," he said, voice filled with authority.
Ayla scoffed, holding back the storm rising in her chest. "I've told you. This is my body. I bear the risks, not you!"
He stepped even closer, his tone softer but no less piercing. "I'll handle everything. You want to keep working, right? Your career will be safe. I'll make sure your dreams stay intact, maybe even greater than you ever imagined. But under one condition, have my child."
Ayla stared at him, heart twisting. "What will people think of me, Mr. Ethan? A young doctor, unmarried, pregnant? My reputation will be destroyed. People will see me as a homewrecker."
"Stop," Ethan cut her off. "Stop calling yourself that. You didn't destroy anything. What happened that night wasn't planned, but it wasn't all your fault either."
His voice softened further, though his stance remained firm. "I'll take full responsibility, Ayla. You don't have to face the media. You won't need to explain yourself to anyone. Your name and reputation will stay clean. But please, please keep the baby."
Their eyes locked. Silent. Heavy. Ayla lowered her gaze. Her heart trembled. Her mind swirled with fear, anger, doubt and something she couldn't even name.
What if everything Ethan promised was just an illusion? What if he changed his mind? What about his wife? His family? Would they accept this child or cast it away as a disgrace?
And once the baby was born, who would care for it? Ethan? Ayla? Or would they hand it over to an orphanage and pretend it never happened?
Ayla bit her lower lip, her fingers clenching the blanket tightly. Her head felt heavy, burdened with a thousand unanswered questions. It felt like standing on the edge of a cliff with her eyes closed, unsure whether the next step would save her or destroy her.
Meanwhile, Ethan remained where he was, staring at Ayla silently. He knew this wasn't just about him and the baby. This was about a woman who could lose everything with a single wrong step.
But on the other side, it was also about a chance he never thought he'd have a chance to be a real father. And both of them knew: this decision could no longer wait.