By the Time He Regretted, She Was Gone Forever

"Kinsley, are you sure you want to go schedule an abortion?"

Kinsley Moore's fingers curled, gripping tightly before she gave a slow nod.

Rowan Hudson, her university classmate, hesitated before speaking again.

"Your body is different. If you go through with this abortion, you might never be able to have children again."

"And when are you planning to tell him about the brain tumor?"

Kinsley stiffened for a moment before forcing a smile. Bitterness clung to her expression as she looked up.

"Do you think he’d want this child? The weight of his father’s death still stands between us. He wants me to make amends for it for the rest of my life. If I insist on keeping this baby, it wouldn’t be fair to him."

"As for the tumor, I know what I’m doing. Don’t forget, I’m a doctor too."

The moment the words left her lips, an eerie stillness settled over the hospital room. The cold seemed to seep into the air itself.

Rowan sighed. "Alright. Once your body stabilizes, I’ll arrange the surgery."

Kinsley straightened, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

Without another word, she turned and walked away.

Her phone buzzed relentlessly in her palm, the vibrations so constant it felt like the device was trembling in her grasp.

The moment she answered, a sharp voice exploded in her ear.

"I believe I told you! Your phone must be on and reachable at all times, Kinsley."

Leaning against the wall, Kinsley’s lips turned slightly pale. Her voice was soft, almost fragile.

"Sorry, my phone died."

"I just stepped out to see Mom. I’ll be back soon."

On the other end, Enzo Keller’s voice turned even colder, laced with the unmistakable slur of alcohol.

"Come home."

With those two words, the line went dead.

Kinsley clutched her bag, exhaling slowly before leaving the hospital. She had no choice.

She rushed back to the Keller residence as fast as she could, only to find the house empty. Enzo wasn’t there.

After asking the servants, she learned the reason. Today was Quinn Finnegan’s birthday and he had gone early to celebrate with her.

A quiet sigh of relief slipped past Kinsley’s lips. Without another thought, she turned toward the stairs, intending to rest.

But the front door was thrown open just as she placed her foot on the first step.

Quinn stepped into view, supporting a completely drunk Enzo.

"Enzo is wasted and no one else dared to go near him, so I had to bring him back myself."

"Miss Moore, please don’t misunderstand."

Yet, even as she spoke, she leaned in closer, pressing against Enzo’s side. The deliberate tilt of her head, the satisfied gleam in her eyes. It was all an unspoken provocation, daring Kinsley to react.

The Kinsley from before would have snapped back without hesitation.

The entire city of Ashford had known her temper, sharp, unyielding, but now, things had changed.

Standing a meter away, she felt a dull ache in her abdomen. Her fingers curled slightly at her sides, but instead of lashing out, she merely smiled, her voice gentle.

"Of course not. Thank you for bringing him back."