Checkup

Chapter 3: Checkup

The thought of needing her parents' signature for the surgery, as she had discovered in her secret search the night before, filled her with dread. There was no way she could let her parents find out about her pregnancy—they'd be furious.

Her gaze involuntarily shifted to Andrew Luxton. Although he had rescued her that night, he surely bore some responsibility for the child, right? Anna was torn, her looks towards Andrew filled with conflict.

Feeling the weight of her stare, memories of her bruised and battered condition that night flooded Andrew's mind.

His tone softened considerably as he spoke, "I bear some responsibility for what happened that night. I can offer you some compensation."

Anna shook her head at his offer. "I don't want compensation. Could I ask for your help instead?"

Seeing her hesitation and the lengthy internal struggle, Andrew realized she was facing a dilemma she couldn't resolve on her own.

"Alright, it's too hot out here. Let's talk in the car," he suggested.

He led Anna to the black Bentley, gently moving his childhood friend from the passenger seat. "You go on ahead, wish Mr. Yan a happy wedding for me!"

His friend was too stunned and curious to protest. Andrew Luxton, in their elite circle, was known for his detachment and reserve. Yet here he was, about to help a girl he had just met under unusual circumstances.

"What did you say? What do you mean?"

Andrew Luxton stepped out from the driver's seat and sat down in the backseat, his sudden proximity unsettling Yan Anna. She shifted uncomfortably to the side to put some distance between them. "I didn't mean to use the baby as a threat, I'm sorry for troubling you. But getting an abortion requires parental consent, and I... I can't let my parents know about this."

"Abortion?"

Andrew Luxton's gaze fell on Yan Anna's flat abdomen, struggling to believe that it could be nurturing his child. Andrew, a true scion of a wealthy family, had taken over the conglomerate at twenty-two and managed it impeccably, expanding continuously over eight years and adding luster to the Luxton family's already illustrious name.

Yan Anna saw his grim expression, his dark eyes chillingly sharp. She bit her lip hard, telling herself not to be afraid. She genuinely needed his help; otherwise, she would be unable to resolve this situation on her own.

"You don't need to worry about anything else; just help me sign the document. I promise I'll never show up in front of you again, never causing any disturbance."

Yan Anna was still trying to persuade him because she was truly afraid he wouldn't assist her. What would she do then? She even thought of accusing him of assault as a last resort, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. After all, Andrew Luxton had saved her that day; without him, her fate could have been much worse.

However, Andrew Luxton quickly grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer as she tried to move away.

Yan Anna was startled, but she couldn't match his strength and was easily pulled towards him. "What are you doing?" she asked.

Andrew frowned, his serious expression a bit frightening. He realized how frail the girl seemed; he had hardly used any strength just now. Seeing her eyes wide with a deer-like nervousness, he unconsciously softened his voice. "Are you sure you're pregnant? Have you been to the hospital for a check-up?"

Yan Anna blinked twice. "I didn't go to the hospital. I used a test... two lines."

Andrew looked at her for a moment, then quickly returned to the driver's seat and started the car.

Yan Anna was startled. "My car, my tricycle is still there. Where are you taking me?"

"To the hospital. We'll come back for your vehicle later," Andrew replied as the car stopped at Uni Hospital. Yan Anna knew it was a prestigious private hospital frequented by celebrities and the wealthy, generally out of reach for the average person.

Feeling a tight grip on her wrist, she looked down to see Andrew's hand firmly holding hers.

The cool touch of his hand was not painful. Seeing his expression darken again, Yan Anna didn't dare to object and obediently followed him inside. Andrew Luxton took her straight to the top floor via the elevator.

At Hospital, the dean and some senior staff were in a meeting when they were interrupted by an assistant doctor who announced the arrival of the big boss. They were startled and quickly ended the meeting, hurrying back to their offices.

Pointing at Yan Anna, Andrew said, "Give her a check-up to see if she's pregnant."

The dean was surprised but tactfully refrained from asking any questions, choosing instead to personally conduct the examination for Yan Anna.

Andrew sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, his eyes fixed on the door. He found the situation unbelievable yet felt an underlying sense of anticipation. He, Andrew Luxton, was going to have a child? He caught himself smiling genuinely for the first time in a long while.

After the examination, as Yan Anna followed the dean back to the office, she asked softly, "How much does an abortion cost at your hospital?"

She was worried that she might not have enough money; this hospital was notoriously expensive, and she thought it might be better to go to a smaller, more affordable hospital for the procedure.

The dean looked at Yan Anna, shocked by her question.

"An abortion? You don't want the child? This could be a golden opportunity!"

Yan Anna thought of Andrew Luxton's cold, unwelcoming face, and then of her parents, who always looked at her with disapproval. Even if she wanted to keep the baby, she lacked the means to support it.

The dean couldn't quite understand, but he surmised that perhaps the big boss didn't want the child. After all, not just anyone could bear a child for the Luxton family.

With this thought, his gaze softened with pity towards the young woman before him. What a predicament, he thought. So young, and to think that having a child could secure a position in the Luxton family? Such a long-standing and prestigious family wasn't simply accessible to the common folk.