Chapter 5 — After Menopause, I Found Out I Was Pregnant

Mentioning the hospital, mentioning test results, my heart aches again. Finally, I couldn't bear it anymore and told her everything that happened this morning. Including Chu Chi Minh's suspicions, insults... And that cruel "genocide" sentence. The other end of the line was silent for a long time. Then there was an explosion of curses.

"Damn it! Is Chu Chi Minh still human?"

"Is his brain stuck in a door? It's not unheard of for a vasectomy to fail!"

"What right does he have to say that to you? Twenty years of marriage and not even a little trust?"

"You bastard! I'll tear his mouth out right now!"

Hearing Ly Mai's voice angry on my behalf, a warm current suddenly surged in my heart. At least in this world... there is still someone who believes in me unconditionally.

“Mai, don't get excited.”

I took a sharp breath.

“I don't want to see him now.”

“How can that be?”

Ly Mai immediately became impatient.

"This matter must be explained clearly! We cannot let him slander you like that!"

“Trinh Tranh, listen to me.”

"Don't think about anything now, immediately go to the hospital for a thorough check-up."

“First, confirm whether you are really pregnant after all.”

“Second, if you are truly pregnant, have your doctor write a certificate confirming the possibility that a man who has had a vasectomy can still get a woman pregnant.”

“Take the evidence and throw it right in the face of that bastard Chu Chi Minh!”

“I don't believe that science can't cure his skepticism!”

Ly Mai's words were like a ray of light shining straight into my confused mind. I can't just ignore it. I cannot bear this injustice without reason. I have to go to the hospital. I have to know clearly what happens to my body. I have to use the truth to slap Chu Chi Minh squarely in the face.

“Mai, you're right.”

My voice gradually regained strength.

“I'll go now.”

“I'll go with you!”

Ly Mai immediately said.

“No need.”

I refuse.

“This is my own matter, I want to face it myself.”

“Besides… I also want to see Dr. Vuong again.”

“I want to know what she finally said to Chu Chi Minh.”

After hanging up the phone, I stood up from the floor on my hands and knees. I walked into the bathroom and looked at the red-eyed, haggard woman in the mirror. Then talk to yourself. You must not fall. For your own purity... You must be strong. I used cold water to wash my face, changed into clean clothes, grabbed my bag and left that house without any attachment. I did not return to the First People's Hospital. I don't want to see Dr. Vuong's meaningful face again. I took a taxi directly to the Provincial Obstetrics Hospital. This is the most prestigious obstetrics and gynecology hospital in the province. I believe the doctor here will give me the most accurate answer. My mood is calmer than ever. You can even clearly hear each cold electronic sound coming from the dialer.

“Please patient number 36, Tan Tranh, come in for examination in room number 3.”

I took a deep breath, stood up and pushed the door open. The doctor in room number 3 is a middle-aged female doctor who looks extremely sharp and agile. Doctor Luu wears a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and has a very gentle attitude.

“Where do you feel uncomfortable in your body?”

She asked while typing on the keyboard.

“Doctor, I am forty-five years old this year and have reached maturity I've been in business for a year now.”

“But a few days ago, I suddenly started bleeding.”

My voice was very calm. Doctor Luu stopped, raised his head and looked at me carefully.

“Have you been checked at the hospital yet?”

"Already." I nodded. “I was examined at the First People's Hospital.”

“What was the result?”

"I do not know."

I paused for a few seconds then continued:

“The doctor there called my husband into his office and talked for a long time.”

"After that... there was a huge conflict between my husband and me."

Doctor Luu frowned slightly.

“Didn't your husband tell you the test results?”

I shook my head.

“I suspect… I might be pregnant.”

In the end, I still said it. A very slight look of surprise appeared on Dr. Luu's face.

“Your husband… ever had contraceptive surgery?”

She asked extremely frankly. I nodded.

“More than ten years ago he had a vasectomy.”

Doctor Liu's expression immediately became more serious. She was silent for a few seconds then said:

“So, let's do a blood test first, then do an ultrasound.”

“Let's let the results talk.”

I took the appointment paper to pay the fee, take blood, then went to the ultrasound room to line up. That waiting period, every second, every minute, was like torture. My palms kept sweating coldly. I'm very scared. I'm afraid that if the result is really pregnancy, how will I face Chu Chi Minh's suspicion and humiliation? But I'm also afraid... If it's not pregnancy, then is this postmenopausal bleeding phenomenon another scary disease? There were two crazy thoughts torn in my heart.

“Tan Tranh.”

The ultrasound room nurse called my name. I entered the dim room and lay down on the cold examination bed. The doctor applied cold gel to my stomach. The probe slowly moves over the lower abdomen. My eyes were glued to the black and white screen next to me. But I don't understand anything. Only black and white patches can be seen mixed together like noisy snowflakes. In the room, there was only the cold "whirring" sound of machines.