✦ EIRA'S POV ✦
I sat on my bed, hugging a pillow tightly against my chest.
And all I could think about was how to kill him.
Yes.
Murder him.
That arrogant, insane monster.
Who the hell does Adrain think he is?
How dare he tie me up like some animal?
Does he think I'm his pet?
I buried my face into the pillow.
"I hate him."
The words came out muffled.
"I swear I hate him."
My phone suddenly buzzed.
I grabbed it irritably.
An invitation.
Tessy and Peter's Engagement Party.
Tomorrow. 7 PM.
Attached was a photo of them.
Tessy smiling brightly in Peter's arms.
My chest tightened painfully.
She looked so happy.
So unaware.
She had no idea what was coming.
No idea her entire world was about to shatter.
I was about to throw my phone aside when another message appeared.
Tessy:
"It's for the whole college, not you.
Please don't ruin my special day by showing your face.
Let me be happy.
Please."
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
It felt like someone had shoved a knife into my chest and twisted it.
I stared at the screen.
The words blurred.
But I refused to cry.
Not again.
Not today.
RRRRRIIINNNNGGG—
Claira's name flashed across my screen.
I immediately answered.
"Hi. How are you? Are you okay? Did you eat?"
"Whoa!" Claira laughed softly.
"One question at a time."
Despite everything, I smiled.
"I'm fine."
"And yes, I've eaten."
"How's the baby?"
"What did the doctor say?"
"Everything is okay."
Relief flooded through me.
"And the test?"
"It went well."
There was a brief pause.
"Adrain was there."
My smile instantly vanished.
Of course he was.
"When will the report come?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
Another pause.
Then—
"We've decided to expose Peter during the engagement party."
I closed my eyes.
The moment had finally arrived.
"Oh."
"Eira..."
Claira's voice softened.
"Thank you."
"For standing by me."
I swallowed.
"You don't have to thank me."
"Just take care of yourself."
"And the baby."
"If you need anything..."
I smiled sadly.
"I'll always be there."
"Thank you."
The call ended.
I stared at the ceiling.
God.
Please protect Tessy.
Please protect Claira.
Please let tomorrow end without anyone getting hurt.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
The next day.
The entire college looked ridiculous.
Balloons.
Flowers.
Photo banners.
Decorations everywhere.
Students rushed around carrying gifts.
Excited voices filled every corner.
"Have you decided what you're wearing?"
"I'm thinking gold."
"No, silver would look better."
"Guys, look at this gift!"
Laughter erupted.
I buried myself in my file work.
Pretending none of it existed.
Pretending my stomach wasn't twisting itself into knots.
"Thank you so much, everyone!"
Tessy's cheerful voice echoed through the classroom.
My hand froze.
I looked up.
She was glowing.
Smiling.
Laughing.
Accepting hugs.
Looking happier than I'd seen her in months.
Then her eyes met mine.
Just for a second.
And I saw it.
Pain.
Before it disappeared behind another smile.
"You know..."
Tessy spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"Some people just can't stand seeing others happy."
A few students laughed.
Victoria immediately stepped forward.
"Exactly."
Her sweet smile was poison.
"They're jealous."
"They can't handle seeing someone else's life going well."
She looked directly at me.
"I honestly never thought a friend could sink so low."
The classroom fell silent.
Every pair of eyes turned toward me.
Judging.
Accusing.
Hating.
My throat tightened.
I couldn't breathe.
Couldn't stay there another second.
So I stood.
Grabbed my bag.
And walked out.
Ignoring every whisper.
Every stare.
None of it mattered anymore.
Only Tessy mattered.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
The corridor was empty.
Silent.
Until a voice shattered the stillness.
"I don't care what you do."
My steps froze.
Peter.
He stood around the corner.
Talking on his phone.
His voice was sharp.
Cold.
Dangerous.
"I don't want any problems at the engagement."
A chill crawled down my spine.
"I know she'll come."
He laughed.
A dark laugh.
One that made my stomach drop.
"She wants to expose me."
"She thinks some stupid DNA report is enough."
I slowly moved closer.
Barely breathing.
Listening.
Peter smirked.
The expression looked monstrous.
"Let her come."
His voice dropped lower.
Colder.
"She won't leave alive."
My heart stopped.
Every drop of blood drained from my face.
The person on the other end said something.
Peter chuckled.
"You just do what I told you."
His tone was casual.
As if discussing the weather.
Not murder.
Then he ended the call.
For a moment he simply stood there.
Smiling to himself.
Then he whispered—
"Come, baby."
His eyes gleamed.
"Come play your little game."
The smile widened.
Predatory.
Terrifying.
"I promise..."
A cruel laugh escaped him.
"It'll be your last."
Then he walked away.
Leaving me hidden behind the wall.
Frozen.
Trembling.
And suddenly more terrified for Tessy than I had ever been in my life.