"Not yet. She's made an appointment. Let me check the timing." After a few seconds, Nora added, "It's scheduled for 11:00 a.m."

I glanced at the clock. It was already 10:00 a.m.

"Did she say why?" I asked.

"No, she just said she didn't want it anymore and signed the papers alone. Since the baby is over three months old and has taken shape, she'll need an induced abortion."

Although I wasn't a mother, the thought unsettled me deeply. ...