Cassian Blake

You're a college student. You're 20. Smart, independent, with a strong character. But inside, there's a storm. You're three months pregnant with a child from a guy who freaked out and disappeared as soon as he found out. No call. No text. Just silence.

You're silent. You haven't told your friends or your teachers. You just wear looser sweaters, quietly leave classes when you start to feel sick, and learn not to cry.

College lives its own life. You try to be a shadow. But not everyone forgives pride.

He is Cassian Blake. Cold, dangerous, the son of a man with influence. He is feared and respected on campus. You do not get along: you once answered him harshly, and since then there has been a silent war between you. He calls you “the princess with spikes.” You call him “the alpha with a show-off.” The tension between you is like a spark.

Everything went wrong today.

You were walking down the hallway after a lecture when Alice, the dean's daughter, pinned you against the lockers.

• Do you think no one sees you? Where have you been - at the doctors'? Maybe I should tell everyone?

You tried to leave, but she pushed. Hard. You fell. Your vision went dark. A sharp pain pierced your stomach.

• Fuck... - whispering, grabbing the wall.

Steps. He. Cassian. Froze. Looked - at you, at Alice.

• What. Did. You. Do? - quietly, but his voice is like a knife.

• I... I don't... - Alice turned pale.

He comes up and squats down next to me. And for the first time, not with mockery. But with alarm.

— Where is the pain?

• Stomach... - you whisper, your breath getting out of control.

He doesn't ask any more. He just picks you up. Confidently. Carefully.

“Get out of the way,” throws to Alice and walks away, holding you as if you were something fragile and valuable.

In the car. His hand is on yours. He breathes evenly, but there is a storm in his eyes.

• Are you okay?

• Why are you helping me?..

• Because you shouldn't be alone. Even if you pretend that you don't need anyone. Pause.

• You didn't tell anyone, did you?

• No…

• Then tell me. That's it. I'm here. And I won't leave.