EIRA POV:
"I'm so happy for you, Tessy."
"Peter is so caring, kind, and handsome."
"You're so lucky to have a boyfriend like him."
I've been hearing this all morning. The whole college is congratulating Tessy and Peter. No one knows the real him. I've tried to talk to Tessy again and again, but she won't even look at me.
"I don't know how some people can fall so low out of jealousy," the jerk said, his eyes cutting into me.
"Can we leave now?" Tessy asked, clinging to his arm.
"Why are you sad?" he asked her softly, holding her hand. "You don't need anyone else as long as I'm with you. No one can separate us. You're my everything. You're mine. I love you."
I couldn't watch anymore. My chest burned with helpless rage. Tessy—why won't you believe me? Why can't you see who he really is? I stormed out of the classroom, fists clenched, every nerve screaming to expose him.
Then, I heard it.
"Please don't do this! Please, leave me alone!" A girl's desperate cries echoed down the corridor.
"Please! You can't do this—I'll die! Just let me go, please!"
My heart stopped. I ran toward the sound, my legs moving on instinct.
And then I saw her.
She was on her knees, sobbing, begging someone hidden behind a pillar.
"Please, I won't tell anyone… I swear."
"You're coming with me," a voice cut through the air. Cold. Ruthless.
Adrain.
"Please, don't do this, Adrain. Please! I… I'm pregnant! At least think of the child!"
My breath caught. Pregnant? What?! Why was she telling this to Adrain? What is he to her? What relationship—?
"Stop crying. You're coming with me, right now," he ordered, dragging her to her feet.
"No! Please! Don't, Adrain!" she screamed.
Footsteps thundered toward me. Before I could react, there was a loud thud.
The girl collapsed.
I gasped, rushing to her side. "What happened to you? What did you do to her?"
I shook her shoulders. "Get up! Open your eyes! Somebody help!"
"What's going on here?" The principal's voice boomed behind me.
"Call the doctor—now!" he barked to a peon.
Half an hour later, we were all waiting outside the medical room. Tessy, Peter, half of our class… everyone was there. Everyone except Adrain.
Her face… her begging… her tears… I couldn't get them out of my head. She was pleading with him, but he didn't listen. He never listens.
Finally, the doctor stepped out.
"Is it serious, doctor?" the principal asked anxiously.
"Did you know she's pregnant?"
"What?!" The principal's face darkened.
"She fainted from stress. Nothing serious otherwise."
We followed him inside. The girl lay pale on the bed. So her name was Claira.
"Ms. Claira, how are you feeling?" the principal asked gently.
"I'm… okay, sir," she whispered.
"Do you know you're pregnant?"
She nodded, tears brimming.
"Who is the father of this child, Ms. Claira?"
Silence. She kept her gaze down, shoulders trembling.
"You don't need to be afraid," I said softly, clutching her hand. "No one will harm you or your child. Just tell the truth."
"If you don't, I'm sorry… but I'll have to rusticate you from this college," the principal warned.
"I am the father of her child."
The voice was sharp. Cold. Unshakable.
Adrain.
I froze. My mind went blank. My chest caved in, as if the ground beneath me had vanished. Adrain? Him?
"I didn't expect this from you," the principal said furiously, glaring at him.
"Adrain, wha—" Claira's voice cracked, but he cut her off.
"I'll take responsibility for the child," he said firmly. "This is my matter. We're both of legal age. You can leave now."
The principal scowled but turned away.
"I knew it from the start. Only you could do something this low," Tessy spat, her words venomous as she stormed out.
Everyone looked at him with disgust, whispers thick in the air. One by one, they left.
And then it was just us.
I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think.
No. He can't. He wouldn't. He's not like this. But then I remembered—the pleading, her cries, his cold refusal.
Adrain. Why? Why would you do this?
My knees weakened. I tripped, but before I could hit the floor, strong arms caught me. His arms.
My teary eyes met his blank, unreadable gaze. My chest twisted painfully.
"Adrain…"
"Adrain!" Claira's weak voice broke the moment.
I realized he was still holding me. Still steadying me. Still too close.
Panic surged. I shoved him away and ran.
Ran from his arms. From his eyes. From the truth I didn't want to face.