Chapter 7
750words
My body went rigid. I knew I should fight harder, scream, do something, but the memory of Kane and Selena's embrace paralyzed me.
Kane's eyes met mine for one electric moment, then he turned away, walking off without hesitation.
My whole body went cold.
Just as Jeffrey's cold hand slid under my shirt, something snapped inside me. I bit down on his arm with all my strength.
Jeffrey howled and shoved me to the ground. "You crazy bitch—"
The world tilted and spun around me as I hit the pavement.
Jeffrey paused, looking down at me with confusion. "Hey, I barely pushed you. What's wrong with you?"
I shook my head, fighting the darkness creeping into my vision.
Jeffrey backed away with a disgusted look. "Whatever. You've killed my mood anyway. Not worth the fifty bucks."
He spat on the ground and stalked off into the night.
I tried to stand, the image of Kane turning away burning in my mind. Hot tears streamed down my face as I swayed on my feet.
My legs felt like jelly beneath me. My skin burned with fever, my thoughts growing foggy. I need to get back to my dorm, I can't collapse out here.
But just as my knees began to buckle, I glimpsed a familiar silhouette under the nearest streetlight.
Through my tears, I saw that face I had once adored, my body instinctively moving toward him.
He rushed forward, catching me just as my legs gave out completely.
"Lucy..." His voice sounded far away.
It's just... it's just... "So unfair..." I whispered before the darkness took me.
The last thing I felt was Kane's strong arms around me, that familiar warmth I had secretly craved for so long.
When I finally clawed my way back to consciousness, the sterile white ceiling of the campus infirmary came into focus.
I turned my head to see Kane's silhouette against the window.
He wore a rumpled sweatshirt and sweatpants, his head propped up on his hand, gazing out at the dawn. The golden morning light caught in his disheveled hair.
For a moment, I simply watched him, my mind still foggy.
With a jolt, I noticed the bruises on his face and split lip. His knuckles were raw and bloodied, like he'd put his fist through a wall—or someone's face.
But remembering him with Selena, I quickly turned away, my chest tightening.
"You're awake?" Kane's voice was rough as he moved to the bedside.
I had nowhere to escape, so I reluctantly met his gaze, only to find his face tight with barely controlled fury.
Why was he so angry? Was I just another burden to him?
"Lucy, do you have any idea what you're doing?" Kane asked, his voice dangerously quiet.
Bitterness welled up inside me. "I'm sorry to have bothered you—"
"Is that what you think this is about?"
I was taken aback, struggling to sit up. "What? Did I interrupt your celebration with Selena? Or cost you money? I'll pay you back for the medical expenses! Why are you angry? Or is it embarrassing for Mr. Popular to be seen with someone like me?" My voice cracked. "I didn't mean to collapse in front of you! I didn't ask you to help me! I—"
As I spoke, tears streamed down my face.
"Lucy—" Kane cut me off, his voice sharp as a blade. "Do you have no self-respect?"
"What?"
His words hit me like a physical blow.
"Are you so cheap that you'd give yourself to anyone?"
I'd never seen Kane so furious. His entire body was rigid with tension, a vein pulsing in his temple.
"What—what do you mean? How am I cheap? You think I wanted that?" I shot back, anger giving me strength. "Kane Lyons? Who the hell gave you the right to judge me? Don't you know I feel sick just looking at you?"
Kane's fist crashed down on the bedside table with a sound like a gunshot.
I flinched violently, my words dying in my throat.
Kane spoke through gritted teeth: "I have no right to judge you! But how could you sleep with someone without any protection? Do you know you're pregnant, Lucy Leahy! You're pregnant!"
The world seemed to stop, a high-pitched ringing filling my ears—
I sat there frozen, unable to process his words.
