Life is full of regrets

Ellie lay in bed, burning with yet another low-grade fever. Ever since her pregnancy began, her body had struggled to adjust. The daily low fevers had become a relentless routine. Her husband David was always attentive. Whenever Ellie felt unwell, he would bring a glass of warm water and personally feed her a vitamin C tablet. Half an hour after taking it, she was drenched in sweat from the pain. “David…” She rolled off the bed in agony. But David, unlike his usual gentle self, simply stood by the bed, looking down at his wife. “Just endure it a little longer. Once the baby’s gone, you’ll be fine.” Gone? Ellie’s fingers dug into the concrete floor until they bled, but she felt nothing. “What I just gave you wasn’t a vitamin. It’s an imported abortion pill. You’re a doctor—you understand. Once this pain passes and the embryo dies, everything will be fine.” Ellie looked up at the man before her. No. He wasn’t a man. He was a monster. After the educated youth returned to the cities, she had risked cutting ties with her own family to marry David, a fellow returnee from her class. Back then, he’d had nothing. Two young people from vastly different social standings had come together—for love. Ellie got into medical school and, after graduation, was assigned to City Hospital as an OB-GYN. David, through Ellie’s father’s connections, entered the local Machine Tool Plant. He rose swiftly. In less than five years, he achieved what others spent a lifetime dreaming of: becoming the head of the largest factory in the area. Just two days ago, Ellie’s father died of a heart attack. She had lost her usefulness… “David, abortion pills aren’t fully developed yet. It won’t be a clean process.” Tears in her eyes, Ellie begged him. She couldn’t die here. Not like this, for no clear reason! “Medical abortions are dangerous. They can cause hemorrhaging. Please, take me to the hospital.” Her abdomen grew hotter, warmth churning inside her. She shifted slightly—and a warm gush surged from between her legs. The excruciating pain came like a tidal wave, smashing her broken little boat into the ocean. Just then, the door opened. Carolyn stepped in. Seeing Ellie on the floor, she gasped and hid behind David. “Oh, dear, what’s happened to you?” This woman was David’s sister-in-law. After his brother passed away, David had brought Carolyn to the city under the pretext of medical treatment, claiming her health was poor. She had been living with them for nearly half a year. “Hurry, take me to the hospital.” Ellie looked at the two of them, a terrible premonition settling in her heart. David frowned, crouched halfway down, and took out a handkerchief to wipe Ellie’s forehead. “Can’t you just endure it a little longer? Once the bleeding stops, you’ll be fine.” Gripping her teeth until they ached, Ellie knew the truth: drug-induced abortions were still underdeveloped. There had been many clinical accidents—that’s why hospitals hadn’t adopted them widely. “I can’t endure it. I’m dying!” David’s gaze turned vicious. “Endure it! It’s just a bastard. I’m already being merciful by letting you abort it. If you don’t listen, I’ll divorce you right now!” “What? A bastard?” Ellie was in such extreme pain her words slurred. Her child—how could it be a bastard? David was her first love. She had given him her virginity. How could he say such a thing?