From the anxiety in Carter's tone and statement, Madeline could hear how much he wished Shirley and the child in Shirley's stomach to be fine. However, what he got was the doctor’s remorseful shake of his head.

“What’s your relation to the patient?” the doctor asked him.

Carter seemed to be stunned by the question.

Who was Shirley to him?

Was he her husband?

No.

However, she was pregnant with his child.

Her sweetheart?

Not even that.

He had never given her any promise as sweethearts would.

The relationship between them could no longer be described in simple words.

The doctor thought it odd when he saw Carter not speaking for a long time. And then Carter finally spoke.

“I am her... lover.”

‘Is that right?

‘She should still love me, right?’

Carter thought, comforting himself.

When the doctor heard this, he interpreted this as them being husband and wife.

“Sir, I’m sorry to tell you that the child in your wife’s womb was already gone while you were on the way here.”

Car