Before Melanie could breathe a sigh of relief, she felt herself being lifted and placed onto the table
behind her. She panicked as she remembered her doctor‘s advice. She tried to stop Frank by pushing
against his chest, “Frank, wait, we can‘t!” “We can‘t?” His smiling face immediately darkened, “Mel, how
could you just dump me after using me? Don‘t forget. You still need me!”
“No! It‘s not that I‘m trying to avoid you. It‘s just...” Melanie still needed him, so she could not make him
unhappy. She bit her lip and decided to tell him the truth, “I‘in pregnant, so I can‘t...”
A glimpse of surprise flashed across Frank‘s blue eyes, but then he remembered, “Mr. Hall‘s?” Melanie
nodded, “The doctor said my pregnancy is not very stable, so I didn‘t mean to reject you, but you
should know I have my reasons.”
After listening to her explanation, Frank finally released her. He seemed like he had lost interest in
continuing, “You‘re saying that you‘re due soon? Mel, I thought you were a twenty first–century woman
and knew what‘s more important to you.
“Yet, you disappointed me by choosing to settle down and have children. Just so you know, most
perfumers‘ careers end the moment they have children,” Frank shook his head in disappointment.
Melanie slowly slid down from the table and refuted, “You can‘t say that. Why can’t women continue
their careers after getting married and having children? As far as I know, one of the most well–known
perfumers, Vivian, had her children and returned to work, and her achievements are practically
legendary.” Vivian was a legend in the perfume industry. Frank nodded, not disagreeing but carefully
pointing out, “You‘re right. Vivian had her children and divorced, but she returned stronger than ever.
Now, she even has custody of her own children. However, you‘re not her, are you?” Melanie was taken
aback by his statement. She was stunned for a while. Before she could refute him, Frank continued,
“Among your sense of smell, experience in the industry, and proficiency in the business, which of these
do you think you‘re better at than Vivian? What makes you think you can achieve what she did?
“Mel, I‘m sure you know how you‘ve gotten to your spot in the industry today, so how could you
compare yourself to Vivian?” Frank‘s words were honest but hurtful. Melanie felt embarrassed and
humiliated.
“Frank, why do you have to be so mean?!” Melanie yelled.
“I‘m not trying to be mean. I‘m just helping you see the truth. If you‘ve made your choice, stick to it, and
don‘t be indecisive. There‘s no way you can have both. Eventually, you‘ll have to choose between
being successful carcer–wise or being a full–time stay home mom. I think you should give it a genuine
thought,” Frank alvised.
What Frank had said was cruel but undeniably True, and it made an impact on her. Melanie was quiet
for a moment before confessing, “I‘ve already decided not to have this baby.”
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