Chapter 1

　　"Ugh."

　　I knelt by the toilet, feeling miserable as I vomited.

　　Two months ago, at the wrap party, I got so drunk I could barely stand.

　　Two months later, I felt weak all over, frequently nauseous.

　　I went to the hospital for a checkup, and the doctor told me I was pregnant.

　　Two months had passed.

　　When I heard this news, I was stunned, as if a bolt from the blue had struck me.

　　Even though I work in the entertainment industry, I've always kept myself clean and single with no boyfriend.

　　So when the doctor gave me this news, I couldn't believe it.

　　Until I switched from one hospital to another, and after the fifth hospital, they all gave me the same result. Only then did I believe I was really pregnant.

　　Oh my God!

　　Could you tell me who the father of this child is so I can skin that man alive?

　　……

　　I tearfully told my best friend this news.

　　My best friend, entered the industry earlier and won countless awards, including a previous Best Actress title.

　　She quit the entertainment industry five years ago.

　　I had been acting since I was a child, often playing the daughter of the female lead.

　　In two dramas, I played Ronnie's daughter.

　　Later, when I officially entered the industry, it was Ronnie's careful guidance that brought me to where I was now.

　　She was my good teacher and dear friend.

　　When Ronnie heard my sobbing voice, she immediately rushed to my house.

　　Ronnie sized me up, her gaze finally resting on my abdomen. "You're really pregnant?"

　　My eyes were swollen from crying. "Would I joke about something like this with you? I don't even know which bastard did this to me!"

　　Ronnie quickly grabbed tissues to wipe my tears. "If I find out who did this, I'll skin that man alive!"

　　Hearing my harsh words, Ronnie's hand paused for a moment before she smiled ingratiatingly at me. "It's not that serious. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. You're 28 and just got pregnant. I was only 18 when I got pregnant."

　　Her words only made me feel worse, like salt being rubbed into my wound. "But you were pregnant with your boyfriend's baby. I don't even know which jerk did this to me."

　　Ronnie said, "Maybe it's your boyfriend's."

　　I glanced at her. "What boyfriend?"

　　Ronnie gave me a comforting smile. "Maybe not now, but who knows about the future?"

　　I stopped wallowing in self-pity, wiped my tears, and said to my best friend, "Come with me to get an abortion."

　　Ronnie was shocked. "An abortion?"

　　I glared at her. "If I don't get an abortion, should I give birth to it?"

　　Ronnie's face showed a mix of discomfort and concern. "Shouldn't you think it over? Abortions are hard on the body."

　　"I don't even have a boyfriend. Getting pregnant before marriage, having a child out of wedlock—nowadays, with the internet being so pervasive, if this news gets out, my hard-earned career will be ruined by that scumbag."

　　Just thinking about it made me grind my teeth in anger.

　　That bastard ruined me.

　　Completely ruined me.

　　Ronnie looked a bit remorseful. "I didn't think it through. I didn't think it through."

　　I packed my things and covered myself up tightly to go to the hospital.

　　While waiting in line, Ronnie stayed by my side, nagging non-stop.

　　As I was about to enter the operating room, she grabbed my hand and kept trying to persuade me, "Amy, sweetheart, why don't we think this over? No matter who the father is, it's still a little life."