A/N: If you've already read the first three chapters before this re-upload, I'd kindly suggest you go back and re-read. I just uploaded the edited version and some new scenes have been added.

Thank you and enjoy.

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"A nurse would be here to hand over your discharge papers" I managed a small smile as I informed the patient before me.

The middle-aged, Norwegian man nodded and leaned back into his bed. His daughter came forward extended her hand, spotting a smile of gratitude.

"Thank you so much" she placed her other hand over our connected hands.

"It's no problems" I smiled with a small head bow then exited the room.

I increased my pace towards the doctor's lounge. It was a little past four pm and any time from now, I would begin to feel queasy. Unlike other pregnancies, I had my 'morning' sickness in the afternoon. There were days I got them in the actual morning but they weren't regular.

My stomach churned and bile rose up my throat. With luck, I made it into the toilet without encountering any of my colleagues. Bent down to a squat, I hurled out every atom of food I'd congested, at least it felt like I had.

I took in shaky breaths and wiped my teary eyes as I rose to my feet. After flushing the toilet, I tumbled over to the sink and held unto it till my muscles regained strength.

I took in a steady breath and proceeded to take care of my oral hygiene. "I can't wait for this part to be over"

The sooner this was over, the faster I could get back to my life.

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I stared up into the ceiling of the room. My hands rested atop my chest and I drummed my fingers against the other. The cold gel against my bare skin drew out a small gasp from me. I swallowed hard as I eyed the wand that glided over my belly.

Dr Meera chuckled and patted my arm. "Relax. This is your first scan, I understand"

I let out nervous laughter and took in a deep breath.

"Everything looks fine. The fetus is well implanted in the uterus," she moved the wand around again then clicked a few buttons on the ultrasound machine. "-and, this is the heartbeat"

Soft repetitive thumping filled the room and I felt a thug on my own heart. I froze for a moment, not sure how to act. I wasn't in any way prepared for this moment and yet I knew it would come. I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat and wiped the stray tear that escaped from my eye.

I couldn't harbour any emotions. I'm giving this baby away. I repeated over and over again in my head.

"It's still a bit early to be accurate but, would you like to know the gender of the baby?" She asked with an eager smile.

"Uh, no. Thank you" I pressed my lips together and forced a smile.

Her smile didn't falter as she took away the wand. "That's fine,"

She handed me some wipes and I muttered a small 'thank you' as I wiped my stomach.

"If you don't mind me asking, is the father of the child present?" she took a soft, maternal tone with me.

I blinked back, taken by surprise. "No. He is not"

I have no idea who he is.

"And you don't have any close family in the states?"

"No"

"Would you, consider a support group for pregnant women?" There was a slight hesitation in her voice. "I just want to make sure you have a good support system for your pregnancy, as your doctor"

"I do have a support system. You met her the last time and she's also a doctor" I dropped down my scrubs and smoothened out the creases. "I'm in good hands. Thank you"

She clapped her hands together. "That's wonderful"

As I walked out of the room, I couldn't help but think about the baby's father. It's been a little over three months since that night and I didn't have a clear picture of him anymore. Although, I knew that if I saw him, I would know.

Those light grey eyes were impossible to forget.

Not once did I attempt to locate him or track him down. It wasn't like I had anything to go on with, not even a name. If we exchanged names in the club, I wouldn't remember now. The only memories I had of that night were bits and pieces of us having sex.

I shook the thought away from my head and focused on making it home. My shift was over and I craved to be in the comforts of my bed.

There was no need to dwell on who he was. It wasn't important since I wasn't keeping the baby for myself.

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I stood to my side in front of my full-length mirror, in my underwear and examined my belly. My baby bump was not as big as it was supposed to be and it had worried me. I spoke to Dr Meera about it and she assured me that the baby was fine. All pregnancies were different.

I placed a gentle hand on the base of the bump and caressed it. A small smile crept upon my lips but it fell, the moment I looked in the mirror. Time had passed quickly and yet, I was still having troubles accepting reality.

My second trimester had been fair to me so far. The exhausting symptoms were over and I was having a blissful time. My hair growth had doubled in these months and my skin was good. Save for two or three stretch marks on my sides, nothing some Shea butter can't solve.

My phone chimed on the bedside table. I had a message from my mum notifying me that my brother's wife who had been pregnant had delivered a baby girl.

I smiled at the message and sent one to her thank her for the info and also congratulated my brother on his bundle of joy. It was a shame that my family wouldn't be able to meet this baby and I felt a pang of guilt at the thought.

There was a soft knock on my bedroom door before it cracked open. Whitney stuck her head through the small opening. "Hey mama, you awake? Oh, hi"

She pushed open the door and took brisk steps towards me. All dressed, in a white long-sleeved shirt and grey pants, ready for work. Her hair was packed up in a neat bun and had a black leather jacket hanging from her arm.

Her perfume wafted through the air as she neared me. She bent over, one hand on her knee and her face, a few inches away from my belly. "Hi, my love"

I rolled my eyes and suppressed a giggle as she cooed at my belly.

"Stop that" I took a step back, smiling.

"No work today?" she looked up from my belly then straightened up.

"There is. I should be outta here in-"I looked at the round wall clock above my door frame. "-an hour, thirty minutes"

She mirrored my actions to the clock and released a small gasp. "I should be leaving now. There's some leftover rice from yesterday, and cereal as well. Make sure you eat something"

"I think I'll have oats instead" I tilted my head, painting a mental picture of the meal. "Do we still have pickles?"

She paused and narrowed her eyes at me. "You want to eat oats and pickles?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm thinking about it"

Her face scrunched up in disgust as she shook her head at me. She turned around and made for the door without a word.

I laughed and followed her into the living room. "What?"

"I'm not even going to say anything" she threw over her shoulder. Without turning around, she lifted her arm and gave me a single wave. "Bye"

"Bye," I said amidst laughter

Soon after she closed the door behind her, silence doused the apartment. I found myself gawking around the living room.

Despite the lazy landlord, faulty elevator and unusual loud neighbour, it was a nice space. A two-bedroom apartment with individual bathroom and toilet in both rooms, and a little kitchen. It had a moderate-sized living room with cream-coloured walls. A brown checkered linoleum spread across the floor and matching curtains.

We decided to go for cream coloured plush couches to contradict the brown flooring. Our living room didn't have personal touches to it, like photographs and stuff like that. We lived like fugitives who were on the run and didn't want to leave traces of us behind in our home.

We had also clean, running water, very important and free WIFI. The Wi-Fi was the exact pro we needed when we considered the place, and it was also affordable.

I snapped out of my daze and moved towards the kitchen. The mental picture of my breakfast motivated me to move fast. Work was an added advantage to the motivation.

The second I walked back into my room, my phone chimed again. I took a peek at the screen before it went black. There was a WhatsApp broadcast daily devotional passage from my mom at the top of other chats.

A quick glance at the time on my phone and I knew I wouldn't be able to read it so I made a mental note to go back to it. I began a silent prayer in my head instead, as I moved around the room in an attempt to get dressed.

My prayer life dwindled to a stop after my mess up. Only recently did I resume my prayers and attend church programs. I was going through so much distress, mentally and I needed a power above mine to grant me peace.

Every day, I went to God, asking if I was making the right decision. Each time, I felt clarity with a certain decision but I just wasn't sure I was ready to accept it, yet.

I caught sight of the time on my alarm and pushed all my thoughts to the back of my mind. I needed to get ready for work, or I'll be late.

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Later that day...

The lounge served as my cafeteria as I spent my lunch break, behind a computer. A plate of fruit salad was my lunch.

The lounge was empty so I took the opportunity to look over the adoption process, again. I put a piece of watermelon into my mouth as I scrolled through various reputable agencies.

Every time I looked through adoption sites, I felt conflicted. I couldn't seem to make up my mind and at the end of the day, I'd accomplish nothing. When I made the decision to give the baby up for adoption, I was determined and my mind was set. But, after two months passed, I wasn't as firm as I was before.

Raising a child wasn't an easy feat. Doing it alone, much harder. I've spent nights wondering what would happen years after. Would my child resent me if they found out I chose my career over them? For a dream that wasn't even guaranteed.

I mean who cares about some ambiguous dream. Why should I have to give up my child to achieve it? But, then again, I've worked so hard for thi-

The door flew open and in a swift motion, I exited the adoption page. Micheal, a fourth-year resident walked in, his eyes scanning the room. Once they landed on me, they went lifted a bit.

"There you are. The chief requested your presence"

My forehead creased and I narrowed my eyes as I rose to my feet. "Me? Why?"

He didn't respond until I was before him.

The chief of surgery had assembled a team that would head over to the VIP section of the hospital. There was an important patient who had requested a full medical test. For reasons best known to him, he considered me a valuable addition. It was a small team of three; Micheal, Dr Ambrose, a cardiologist and me. We were to make sure the test was carried out effectively and our patient was cosy.

In translation, the patient was a potential/valued investor in the hospital and they didn't want to upset him.

We walked towards the suite allocated to the patient. I had never been to the VIP ward before, but this place was heaven.

It didn't even look like it was part of the hospital. It was beautiful; the floor had its own nurse station and everything. It had a chandelier in the centre of its reception, with soothing music playing. The atmosphere was serene and quiet.

Dr Ambrose placed two light knocks on the door before we proceeded into the room. I was the last to walk in so I closed the door behind me. The moment I turned to face our patient, my eyes went wide and I froze. There was a sharp intake of breath as our eyes met.

The grey-eyed man from the hotel room was staring right back at me.

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