Chapter 1 The School Girl

Linda's POV

After completing her education, Linda hopes to work as a teacher.

"Are you even listening, Linda ?"

Mid-sentence, my pen hesitated. I glanced up from my notepad and peered across the lunch table at Tasha. As if she could see straight through me, she was frowning and furrowing her brows.

I said, "Sorry," trying to grin. "What were you saying?"

To keep others from hearing, she leaned close and whispered. "You've spent the whole week dozing off. "Is Mr. Kane to blame?"

My heart leaped. I closed my notepad after taking a deep breath. "No. Why would it be, after all?

"You tell me." She furrowed her brow. "Recently, he has chosen you for every school function. As in, at random. It's strange.

I looked at the school gate and bit my lip. Outside, the silver automobile shone in the light as if it didn't belong there. Perhaps it didn't. The guy behind the tinted glass didn't either.

I clenched my fingers around my pen. He's only assisting me with my costs. That's all.

Tasha reclined. "Linda , you're seventeen. What is his age? Thirty? Are you married?

"Divorced," I blurted out, a little too sharply.

I couldn't decipher the expression she gave me. "Just use caution."

I ignored my stomach's churning and got to my feet. "I must go. In 10 minutes, my additional class will begin.

I felt her gaze on my back as I left, but she didn't stop me.

When I exited the school gate, the sun was already lowering. Near the corner, the well-known vehicle was waiting. This time, I didn't hesitate.

I slipped onto the leather seat as the door snapped open. It smelled rich, like leather, pricey cologne, and something warm I couldn't identify.

Jackson Kane remained expressionless. He didn't.

As the automobile drew away, he murmured, "You're late," keeping his eyes on the road.

I said, "I had math."

He gave one nod. "You're getting better."

I wanted to say anything at all, but our mutual quiet constantly weighed heavily on me. It was beyond my comprehension. I couldn't comprehend him.

He gave me an envelope. I refrained from opening it. I was aware that it contained money. For books. for the uniforms. For my grandma's prescription.

"Thank you," I muttered.

At last, he turned to face me. "We'll talk tomorrow."

Outside my little flat, the vehicle came to a halt. I hurried out while holding the envelope close to my breast.

I tried to complete my history notes that evening while sitting by the broken window with a candle. My grandmother was sleeping, coughing less loudly than normal. My hands wouldn't stop shaking, even though I should have been happy of my good scores and promising future.

When Mr. Kane offered me a ride for the first time, I kept it a secret. Or when he briefly touched my arm for the first time. There was always something to yell about, never too much. But something was always there.

Something had now begun to develop inside of me as well.

I had kept it a secret.

Not quite yet.

I regurgitated in the school restroom the next morning. Twice.

I looked at myself in the mirror while using trembling hands to wipe my lips. My face remained the same. Everything else, however, seemed different. As if hovering above me.

Tasha was waiting for me when I went outside. She glanced at my hands and then at my pallid face.

"Is there anything you need to tell me, Linda ?" she whispered softly.

Yes was what I wanted to say. I felt like crying. Instead, however, I turned and left.

as I was already aware of the reality.

I was previously aware of the father's identity.

I told Jackson after a week had passed.

Cold and tidy, he stood behind his office desk. He took a moment to glance at me.

"Are you certain?" he inquired.

With my pulse pounding, I nodded. "I was absent for two months. Additionally, the test-

"I'll see to it."

He didn't say anything else.

No rage. Don't be afraid. Simply exercise control.

"How about school, though?" I inquired.

His eyes were inscrutable as he glanced up. "You'll give up. It is excellent for the unborn child.

My mouth quivered. "Teaching is what I want to do."

He took a step forward. "And you'll be. Later. I'll send you off. Somewhere secure. After having the kid, you'll go back. silently.

I ought to have yelled. I ought to have declined. However, his voice sounded like law when he was silent.

I gave a nod.

despite the fact that I crumbled within.

The months went very quickly. A quiet, private home outside of town was where I stayed. A nurse came by. They brought food. Jackson made a weekly visit. Never remained for long.

My stomach expanded.

The pain in my chest did the same.

My dreams ceased.

It was a wet Tuesday when I gave delivery. The kid, robust and healthy, let forth a loud cry. His dark hair and large eyes resembled mine.

That day, Jackson failed to appear.

When he finally arrived, he gave the infant a five-second glance before giving me an airline ticket.

He responded, "Your school is waiting."

Still warm in my arms, I gazed down at my kid.

When I went, I didn't say goodbye.

I came back after four years.

graduated. more powerful. altered.

As my kid and I entered Adrian's towering, glass office, I clutched his hand.

When he spotted me, his wife at his side, he stood up-sad, lovely, and flawless.

When I said, they both froze.

"This kid is not yours."

Jackson became expressionless. Slowly, his wife turned to face him.

However, he seems to be-

I grinned.

"I was put to the test. Adrian, you are infertile. It has always been.

The place became silent as if it were ice.

I leaned closer and said in a fiery whisper.

"I was never yours. And you won't.

Then I left, taking the one thing he never deserved with me.

He lied.

His error.

My son.

And a black automobile slid to a halt as I entered the bright roadway.

Slowly, the window slipped down.

And as if he knew everything, the guy within grinned at me.

My secret, too.

Slowly, the black car's door opened.

I tightened my hold on my son's hand. He gave me a perplexed but silent glance as if he could sense the strain too.

The guy came out.

tall.

dark suit.

Observant eyes that never blinked.

He said, "Linda Adair," as if we had already met. "We must speak."

My legs became rigid. I didn't respond.

He knelt down and gave my kid a look.

Whispering, "You're even more wonderful than I thought,"

"What do you mean?" My voice was tremulous as I asked.

He got up and gave a little grin. "I am aware of your son's true father."

My mouth became parched.

"No," I murmured as I retreated. "It's not feasible. I never-

He gave me an envelope. dense. heavy.

"The truth is within," he said. DNA, reports, and pictures. Linda , you were a part of something greater. Jackson Kane was only the start.

My fingers were shaking as I gazed at the envelope in my palm. My kid gave my other hand a squeeze.

"This is not what I want," I said.

But the guy answered, "You need it." "They're on their way. For the two of you.

With my heart thumping in my chest, I stepped back. "Who is coming?"

He didn't respond.

Rather, he got back inside the vehicle and closed the door. The automobile drove off into the distance as the window rolled up.

I gasped when I saw the first picture as I gently opened the package.

The guy in the photograph...

*I* was the one.

However, I had no recollection of the person standing next to me.

Additionally, I was *again* pregnant