Half an hour later, Alice entered the operating room. Riley waited outside, anxiously. Alice smiled briefly before stepping in alone, where the doctors were preparing and the nurses instructed her to climb onto the operating table and remove one side of her pants.
Her legs spread open, exposing her lower abdomen to the cold air—a humiliating situation. Watching the surgical instruments in the doctor’s hands, her heart felt icy, her entire body trembling with fear. This was torture, tormenting her physically and mentally. She felt powerless, without any choice.
“Relax, Alice,” Aunt Johnson said, trying to soothe her. “The more tense you are, the more it will hurt. Just endure it, and it will be over quickly.” Her gentle voice calmed Alice slightly, and she nodded as the procedure began.
