STIGMA

The operating room was empty. Molly Yin's face scrunched up in disgust as the pungent smell of disinfectant entered her nostrils. She curled up on the bed, closing her eyes in pain.

Standing next to Molly Yin was her attending doctor, Rena.

Rena reached out her hand to hold Molly Yin's forehead, as if trying to comfort her. "The baby's gone," she said softly. "You should have an abortion for the sake of your health, but as long as you drink the medications we've given you, you can still have children after the recovery."

Molly Yin nodded, her chest heaving. She took a deep breath to calm herself.

However, the bitterness clung to her throat like dried glue.

She knew how important this unborn child was. Now that that child had gone, everything that she ever had would disappear.

Rena slowly helped Molly Yin sit up on the bed.

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted from outside of the operating room. Although they couldn't see what was happening, they could hear a man's voice.

"Let me in! I'm her husband."

Molly Yin sighed, shaking her head. It turned out, he already knew.

"Do you want him to come in?" Rena whispered.

With a moment's hesitation, Molly Yin slowly nodded, paling. "I have to face him anyway, so I might as well rip the band aid." She coughed dryly.

When the door opened, her husband stomped into the room, shooting the doctor a hard glare.

As his gaze stopped at the woman on the operating bed, his heart sank.

He held Molly's arms. She could feel the sweat beading down his palms as he asked shakily, "Where's the child? Did you have an abortion?"

Molly raised the corners of her mouth into a cold smile as tears welled up in her eyes. There was no turning back now.

"I'm asking you!" the man roared in desperation.

"Where's my baby?"

Looking straight into his eyes, Molly clenched her fists. Her fingernails dug into her palms so hard that they were going to leave bloody marks.

Although she was in pain, she didn't really care.

"Yes. I had an abortion. Now that the baby's gone, we can divorce."

Molly needed her freedom. That was why she chose this path.

It was time to put an end to their loveless marriage.

She smiled.

Her love for him was already riddled with holes and tears. This was her last ditch strategy in order to end her marriage.

Walter Wu gaped at her. He didn't expect that his wife would be so cruel to have an abortion. "How dare you? Who gave you the right?"

he demanded.

If looks could kill, she would've already been six feet under. Molly didn't know whether to be ecstatic about that or be sad.