Which girl would ever want to be seen hugging the toilet, her face the very picture of misery as she retches her soul out? It was enough to make her feel embarrassed about the act of throwing up itself! "I... I just want to be here for you," Jeffrey stammered, caught off-guard by her reasoning. "Just go. I'll be fine in a bit." "I'll just turn around. You go ahead; I won't peek." "Jeffrey, seriously!" Karen was at a loss for words. His meddling had somehow managed to quell the urge to vomit that had been rising within her. "Just step out. I'll splash swater on my face and join you shortly." "Alright." For once, Jeffrey did as he was told and made his way to the door, but Karen stopped him. "And tell the nutritionist to clear away all that greasy, heavy stuff. I'll just have splain oatmeal." She really wanted to indulge, but the nausea was too much to bear. Better to play it safe. "Okay, oatmeal it is." Karen took several deep breaths in the bathroom, then looked at herself in the mirror, feeling a wave of emotion. Being a woman is no walk in the park! She remembered how Dorothy struggled through her pregnancy, how it had affected her, even declaring she'd never want kids. But without experiencing the discomfort firsthand, it was easy to forget. Now that she was living it, she understood Dorothy's ordeal all too well. As soon as she stepped out, Jeffrey was there to offer support. Karen waved him off. "It's just morning sickness. I'm not so weak that I need to be propped up." "I just want you to be comfortable. The doctor said something sour might help ease the nausea. I've got someone preparing things like pickled plums. When they come, eat what you like and toss what you don't." She nodded and took a seat in the chair Jeffrey had pulled out for her. Suddenly, she remembered Paige and asked, "You kept your promise, didn't you? You left Paige alone?" Caught off guard by the mention of his ex, Jeffrey's lips tightened. "You know I wouldn't dare break my promise." "Jeffrey, I get that you're trying to prove your devotion toand set an example, but don't you think it's too cruel towards Paige? She really loved you." Jeffrey's brow furrowed deeply. "But I don't love her, and she dared to challenge you. Isn't our relationship the way it is now all because of Paige?" He vividly remembered those days when he felt like his heart had been ripped out, the pain so intense he could barely stand. When he found out Karen was pregnant, he was overjoyed. Learning that she might have to terminate the pregnancy was just as devastating. Search the Findwebsite on Gøøgle to access chapters of early and in the highest quality. It felt like suffocation. "She was just the catalyst." "Karen, can we not talk about her, please?" The mention of Paige brought back unpleasant memories for Jeffrey. Karen pursed her lips and decided not to press further. Soon, the X