“Please take me to my Yuan”

The doctor studied the young woman before her, her heart heavy with the burden of the truth she had to deliver. In all her years of practice, she had cherished the moments when she placed a newborn into a mother's arms, witnessing the sheer joy that came with new life. But moments like this—when she had to take away a dream, when hope had to be replaced with irreversible loss—were the cruelest part of her profession. And today was no different.

The woman before her, Rong Xinghe, sat with quiet anticipation, her eyes filled with fragile hope, utterly unaware of the devastation about to unfold. The doctor inhaled a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the iPad in her lap. No amount of experience could prepare her for this.

Taking a deep breath, she placed her untouched glass of water before Rong Xinghe, a silent offering of comfort. Then, instead of remaining behind the barrier of her desk, she stood and moved beside her, ready to soften the inevitable blow.