Theodore needed to confer with the doctors about surgical arrangements, leaving Ariana to wait alone.

Noticing the time slipping away, Ariana calmly said, "It's getting late; I'll proceed with the test so we don't encounter any delays.”

Theodore nodded, contemplating having Horace accompany her, but Ariana insisted on going alone.

Given her familiarity with the hospital staff, Theodore reluctantly agreed.

As Ariana pretended to go for the test, she stealthily found a secluded nook to wait. When she spotted the nurse coming out with the prepared medication, she quietly followed her.

When the nurse was gone, she covertly captured photos of the medications and tools. She swiftly forwarded them to Mitchel and asked, “Dr. Chadwick, what type of surgery is this for?"

Ariana anxiously awaited the response, and soon the message came back with jarring words, hitting her like a bolt of lightning.

"Abortion surgery."

In an instant, Ariana’s heart plunged into an icy abyss, like a fragile snowflake drifting into a bottomless chasm.

She could hardly believe it; Helen was right!

Her legs felt like jelly, and tears cascaded uncontrollably down her cheeks.

All this time, Theodore had been deceiving her!

Ariana took a moment to gather herself, donning a mask of normalcy as if nothing had transpired. But inside, she was already concocting her escape plan.

She gently caressed her abdomen, whispering, “My babies, fear not, for Mommy will protect you no matter what the storm!"

Ariana navigated the hospital with the stealth of a cat, evading everyone in her path until she found a secure passage to slip away.

Outside the hospital, panic consumed her like wildfire, propelling her toward the roadside. As if the universe heard her plea, a taxi appeared, and she hastily hailed it.

The taxi driver inquired, "Is it okay with you to share the ride with someone else?"

Ariana noticed a person in the backseat, hidden under a hat, exuding an aura of aloofness.

Despite some reservations, fearing that Theodore's men could be on her tail, she nodded, taking the front seat.

Once the taxi set in motion, Ariana felt a sense of relief creeping in when, suddenly, a cloth soaked in ether was pressed against her mouth from behind!