Chapter 34

"Alright. I believe you. Keep going." Linda handed Wade a slice of watermelon, her voice calm but still a bit skeptical. She rested her chin on her hand, eager to hear more.

Wade stroked his beard and continued. "That woman really didn't have a uterus. I checked multiple times to make sure. She seemed normal at first, but for some reason, it was removed. I wanted to ask why, but it felt too personal, so I didn't. She got impatient and snapped, Just give me the prescription already.' Now tell me. how could she be pregnant without a uterus? Who was that medicine for?"

Wade analyzed, "It definitely wasn't for a relative. She probably wanted to harm someone, so I kicked her out." He finished, still shaken, grateful he hadn't prescribed anything and avoided a disaster.

"Wade,looks like your instincts are still sharp. You did the right thing. I wouldn't have let you prescribe anything either." Linda pursed her lips in disapproval.

She then sighed, "They say the older generation is conservative about relationships, but I really can't understand the young people's views on love. You try to talk to them, but they don't listen. In the end,they just hurt themselves..." She shook her head, baffled by the younger generation.

They fell into contemplation as the evening cicadas gradually quieted,leaving only the oppressive heat.

The air was heavy, mirroring their somber mood.

They pondered the strangme patient. the clinic silent except for the old fam spinming comtinucusly.

Wade and Linda sat quietly. their faces filled with worry and confusion, wondering what had happened to the world to bring about such bczarre events.

The afternoon sun blazed down. scorching the streets of Pearl Peak City. Shirley stormed through the crowd. furious.

Her face was flushed. eyes blazing. and she cursed under her breath."Emily, you bitch. I won't let you get away with this!"

Her sharp voice drew the attention of passersby, but she was oblivious.lost in her rage.

"Why her? Just a lowly woman. how could she be pregnant with Patrick's child? I should be the one by Patrick's side!" Jealousy festered in Shirley's heart. She stormed back to the office, her steps heavy and hurried, muttering curses as she went. Onlookers thought the usually gentle-looking girl had gone mad today.

Shirley sensed the strange looks, feeling everyone was mocking her,just like Emily did. with that superior. confident, and disdainful gaze.

She screamed internally, fists clenched, nails digging into her palms without feeling the pain, only the burning anger.

She glanced at the hardware store sign gleaming coldly and a wild thought crossed her mind, 'If it comes to it, Ill buy a hammer. I'd rather be charged with assault and spend a few days in jail than let Emily marry into a wealthy family. If I can't have him, neither can

Emily!

The idea swirled in her mind as she moved towards the hardware store.

But as she reached the entrance, a wave of fear and rationality washed over her. quelling her impulse. Staring at the cold tools inside.she imagined attacking Emily with a hammer, and her hands trembled. She thought. 'Do I really want to do this? If I do. it's all over...

She was torn with inner conflict.

In the end. she didn't have the courage to enter the store and turned into a grocery store instead.

The store was filled with the aroma of food, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in her heart.

Meanwhile, Emily stood at the entrance of a newly built community,surrounded by tall buildings and busy construction. The sunlight bathed her. but she felt little warmth, filled with confusion and anticipation.

She was torn, wondering whether to buy a house in a good school district or one with a garden. She had been in Pearl Peak City for years. living like Patrick's shadow, dependent on him.

Living in the house Patrick bought seemed comfortable, but it was like being a caged bird, unaware of life's complexities. Now she realized how much thought went into buying a house. "If you have elderly family members, you need to be near parks and hospitals; if

you have kids. you need to be close to markets and schools; if you're working.you need to be near the subway and gyms..." She muttered to herself, her eyes filled with helplessness and reflection.

There was no perfect house, just like there was no perfect solution to every problem. but she still hoped to findthe best place for her child.

"Ms. Thompson? I noticed you went to the bathroom three times while looking at the house, and you kept rubbing your back and yawning. I guess you might be pregnant. right? Are you looking for a new home for your future baby? You have a good eye. This house is in a school district. There's a kindergarten and an elementary school nearby. The middle school is a bit farther, but it's only a 15-minute drive." A slightly awkward but enthusiastic voice interrupted Emily's thoughts. She turned to see Vida, a round-faced saleswoman,smiling brightly with genuine anticipation in her eyes.

Emily was surprised, not expecting the young woman to be so observant.

"How did you figure that out? No one else noticed."Emily asked curiously.