CBTB | MW [✔]

10.

Dr. Ong shines a small flashlight into my eyes. "Do you feel dizzy or nauseous?"

"No, just a headache." I try not to flinch away from the bright light. "My face hurts."

"You're going to have some colorful bruising." He gives me a sympathetic look. "Apply a cold compress for fifteen to twenty minutes today and tomorrow. It will help keep down the swelling."

While waiting for my turn with the doctor, I glanced in the bathroom mirror. The left side of my face appeared red and swollen, with a budding purple bruise on my cheekbone and broken blood vessels in the white of my eye, making the blue stand out vividly.

But at least I didn't need stitches like Yosang did.

"Your pupils dilate normally, so I don't think you have a concussion." Dr. Ong tucks the flashlight into his pocket and straightens. "Keep the wrist wounds clean and dry. Wrap them in gauze, and if they become hot or seep pus, call me, and I'll return."

"Thank you. We will." I glance down at the white bandages around my wrist. They throb in rhythm to the bruises on my face, making me want to lie down.

Dr. Ong packs up his equipment. "I must say, aside from the new wounds, you're looking much healthier than the last time I saw you."

The observation brings a smile to my face. "Mingyu's been feeding me three meals a day with healthy snacks."

"That's good." His expression turns serious. "I need to ask if anything else happened. Did you get hit in your abdomen? It could endanger the health of your baby, if there is one."

"All the blows were to my face, but it doesn't matter, anyway." Which may be a small blessing. Donghun came so close to drugging me. Had I been pregnant, being forced into Heat would have caused a miscarriage. "I took a bunch of at-home tests this morning, and there's no baby."

"Those tests aren't reliable until four weeks after the end of your last Heat. That's why we had planned to do a blood test; it can detect pregnancy as early as ten days post-conception." Dr. Ong's expression softens, and he places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Would you like me to take a sample today and give you a more definitive answer?"

My heart stutters before beating faster.

Is there still a chance I'm carrying Mingyu's child? I realize I want this more than anything, but it also terrifies me. My parents were horrible role models, and I worry if I won't be any better. But Mingyu's family is large and close-knit. With their support, our baby will be loved and cared for.

"Yes, please." I push up my sleeve. "I want to know for sure."

"Excellent." Dr. Ong prepares the necessary equipment, and as he takes my blood, he explains how it will work.

The blood draw barely stings, and smiley faces cover the band-aid he uses to hold down the cotton swab.

I watch him stow the filled vials. "Can we keep this between us for now? I don't want to get Mingyu's hopes up again unless we're certain."

Dr. Ong studies me for a moment, then nods solemnly. "Of course, Wonwoo. Your privacy is important to me. I won't mention it to Mingyu until we have the results."

Relief floods through me. "Thank you."

Dr. Ong makes sure I've memorized my wound care instructions, then hands me a bag of antibacterial solution and bandages before departing.

With a deep breath to steady myself, I make my way downstairs to join Mingyu, Yosang, and Chaemin in the front room of the townhouse.

Chaemin and Yosang perch on one of the delicate love seats while Mingyu paces, speaking intently into his phone.