Running late for her abortion appointment, the woman realized she had left her documents in the car…

Paula slowly walked back to the clinic entrance. Each step was difficult, as if she were walking not on asphalt, but through a swamp. The automatic doors opened, and she found herself in a sterile lobby with white walls and the smell of hospital.

Good afternoon, greeted the receptionist girl. Are you here for Dr. Bell? Yes, Paula Jenkins. Go to room five.

The doctor is waiting for you. Paula went up to the second floor. The corridor smelled of disinfectant.

She stopped at the office door, feeling everything turning inside her. Behind this door waited the procedure that would change everything. The point of no return.

She knocked and entered. Dr. Samuel Bell rose from behind the desk. A man in his fifties.

They had known each other for many years, worked together at the city hospital. Paula, he scanned her with a glance, noticing the red eyes and disheveled hair. What happened to you? Everything’s fine, she replied shortly.

Sit down, let’s talk. Want some tea? No, thank you. Dr. Bell opened her medical file but didn’t start reading right away.

Instead, he looked at Paula attentively. How are you feeling? Morally, I mean. Bad, she admitted honestly.

Very bad. Tell me again why you made this decision? Paula told the story of her divorce, Alex’s betrayal, how he left for a young mistress. She spoke monotonously, without emotions, as if telling someone else’s story.

I see, nodded the doctor. And the child is healthy? No pathologies, completely healthy. Nine weeks, development is normal.

Paula, Dr. Bell took off his glasses and wiped them. I have to ask you, are you absolutely sure about your decision? I. She hesitated. Yes, sure.

Doesn’t sound convincing. Paula took the note out of her pocket and handed it to him. Someone left this on my car.

The doctor unfolded the crumpled paper and read it. His eyebrows rose in surprise. Interesting.

Childish handwriting. Who could have written this? I don’t know. Some boy left it and ran away.

And what do you think about it? I think it’s either a coincidence, or… She paused. Or… Or someone up there is trying to tell me something. Dr. Bell looked at her attentively.

Paula, I’ve known you for many years. You’re a brilliant surgeon, a rational person. But now you’re in a state of severe stress.

In such a state, people sometimes make decisions they regret for the rest of their lives. What do you suggest? Postpone the procedure? For a week? Think calmly, without emotions? If the decision doesn’t change, I’ll be waiting for you. Paula was silent.

Two voices were fighting inside her. One shouted, do as you decided. Don’t let emotions take over.

The other whispered, what if this note is really a sign? What if you’re making a mistake that can’t be fixed? I don’t know, she admitted finally. I’m completely confused. Then it’s too early to make a decision.

Go home, rest. Talk to close people. If in a week you’re firmly sure of your choice, come back.

And if I change my mind, then I change my mind. It’s your life and your decision. Paula rose from the chair.

She felt both relief and confusion at the same time. The postponement gave time to think, but didn’t solve the main problem. Thank you, Dr. Bell.

Paula, the doctor stopped her. What if this note is really a sign? What if someone is trying to help you? Who? Who could know about my problems? I don’t know. But in our profession, we see a lot of inexplicable things.

Sometimes it’s worth trusting intuition. Paula nodded and left the office. In the corridor, she stopped, leaning against the wall.

Her head was spinning, thoughts tangled. What was happening to her life? Three months ago, she had everything. Family, stability, plans for the future.

Now loneliness, pregnancy, and mysterious notes. She went down to the lobby and out to the street. Paula slowly walked to the car, sat behind the wheel, and just sat without starting the engine.

The note lay on the passenger seat. Paula picked it up and reread it again. «Save the child, it’s all I have.»

Strange phrasing. What does «it’s all I have» mean? How can someone else’s child be someone’s everything? She started the car and drove home. On the way, she thought about what to do next.

She needed to find the author of the note, understand who it was and why they wrote those words. Maybe that would help make the right decision. At home, Paula changed into comfortable clothes, brewed strong tea, and sat by the window.

The note lay on the table in front of her, and she examined every letter, every dot, like a criminologist studying evidence. The handwriting was definitely childish. A boy about 10-12 years old, judging by the retreating figure.

He wrote hastily but carefully. Some letters trembled, either from excitement or cold. The paper was ordinary, torn from a school notebook with squares.

Paula picked up the phone and called her best friend, Karen Abrams. Karen worked as a psychologist and could give professional advice. «Hi,» Karen answered after a few rings.

«How are things?» «How did it go?» «The procedure didn’t happen,» said Paula. «I couldn’t. What happened?» Paula told everything—about the boy, the note, the conversation with Dr. Bell, and her doubts.

Karen listened attentively without interrupting. «You know what I think?» she said finally. «Maybe it really is a sign?» «You’ve been tormented by this decision for two months.

If you were absolutely sure, no note could have stopped you. Are you serious? You’re a psychologist, you should explain everything rationally. I’m a psychologist, but I’m also a woman and a mother.

And I know that maternal instinct isn’t fiction. What does it tell you?» Paula fell silent. Maternal instinct.

Every time she thought about the abortion, something inside her contracted in pain. Not physical, emotional. As if the child was already part of her soul…