Chapter 64: Abort it
Two weeks later...
Ash sat at his desk during morning prep, busy with his personal studies. Naomi sat beside him, equally focused.
Glancing toward Martin’s empty desk, Ash asked quietly, "Is Martin not coming to school today either?"
Naomi shrugged. "I guess not. At this hour, he probably won’t show up."
Ash frowned, tapping his pen on the desk. "With just one week left before exams, and he keeps skipping school, yet he’s aiming for that university scholarship."
...
When Martin was five, his parents died from untreatable infectious diseases. Left alone with his younger sister, just three years his junior, they were placed under the care of their grandmother, who struggled to provide for them. From a young age, Martin understood her hardships and worked tirelessly in junior school, earning a scholarship to Greenhill Academy, one of the most prestigious high schools in the country.
But fate was not kind. His grandmother passed away, leaving him as the sole guardian for his sister. To support their daily needs, he took on night shift jobs after school, carrying the weight of responsibility far beyond his years.
Naomi, coming from a noble family, often tried to help Martin, but he resisted, feeling embarrassed and determined to bear his burdens alone. Even when Ash pressed him to accept his savings, Martin hesitated for a long time before finally relenting to lean on anyone else.
It was for these reasons, the need to provide, to secure a future, that Martin participated in the math contest alongside Ash. Beyond the competition, It was a chance at a university scholarship, a way to carry his sister and himself forward in a life that had demanded so much from him already.
...
Martin sat on the edge of his bed, chest heaving, eyes fixed on the pregnancy test in his hand-two bright lines stabbing at him. He couldn’t believe it.
"Brother...I’m off to school," Clara’s voice called from the doorway.
No answer. Silence.
Another knock. "Brother? Are you asleep?"
Martin shook his head, voice rough. "No."
"I just wanted to tell you...I’m off to school."
"Okay. Take care," he muttered.
"You too," she replied, footsteps fading.
The phone rang. Martin stared, then answered.
"Hello..."
Aster’s sharp voice: "I saw you tried calling. What do you want?"
"I...I’m pregnant," Martin whispered, voice breaking.
Aster, stunned: "For me?"
"Yes."
A harsh pause. "It’s your fault, not mine."
Martin’s throat tightened. "How? We were in this together!"
"I didn’t force you," Aster said coldly. "You wanted it."
Tears burned Martin’s eyes. "And now? What do I do?"
"Abort it," Aster snapped, then hung up.
Martin pressed his hands to his stomach, sobs breaking free. Alone in the quiet room, the weight of fear and heartbreak pressed on him like a stone.
Back in class, during breaktime, Naomi stood from her desk, stretching. "Aren’t you going for a break?" she asked Ash.
"I’m behind," Ash replied.
He wanted to go to Lucien’s office, worried about him. Since Adrian’s wedding night, Lucien had seemed...different. Fragile, in a way that didn’t match the Alpha presence he usually carried.
Naomi nodded and started to leave. Before heading to the dining hall, she decided to stop by the bathroom first.
As she walked in, she almost collided with Celeste, who was coming out. Their eyes met, and for a moment, Naomi felt herself drawn in, an unfamiliar pull she couldn’t explain.
"Don’t you want to excuse me?" Celeste asked, her tone clipped.
Naomi realized she was blocking the way and quickly stepped aside. "I’m sorry."
Celeste passed, and Naomi caught a faint trace of her scent. She froze, mind racing. That smell...I can tell she’s pregnant. But why am I sensing her pregnancy? I’m not her Alpha...could it be mine? No! That’s impossible.
She touched her chin, shaking her head. With her personality, she could never accept carrying a middle-class Alpha’s child...it must be Alpha Adrian’s. Of course it can’t be mine.
Still unsettled, she entered the bathroom, forcing herself to push the thought aside.
,
Ash walked down the quiet hallway toward Lucien’s office, a chilled caramel latte in hand. He’d picked it up on the way, thinking Lucien might need something refreshing.
As Ash reached the door, he paused, catching a familiar voice inside.
"You look unhappy to see me," Celeste said softly.
Lucien’s reply came low and flat. "Just say what you want."
"I just missed my brother. Is that so bad?" she asked, her tone light, almost teasing.
"If you’re satisfied seeing me," Lucien said, patient thinning, "you can leave."
"Don’t be that harsh," Celeste murmured. "You might scare the child."
A sharp silence followed. Then Lucien’s voice, tight with confusion. "Which child?"
Celeste gave a soft laugh. "Oh...this one." There was the faint rustle of fabric, her hand likely brushing her stomach. "Soon, you’re going to be an uncle."
Outside the door, Ash froze. The latte slipped from his hand, splattering across the floor as his thoughts raced. She’s...already pregnant, with Adrian’s child?
The door opened. Celeste stepped out, stopping when she saw him. A slow, knowing smile curved her lips.
"Well, if it isn’t my brother-in-law," she said smoothly. "Long time no see."
Her gaze dropped to the puddle at his feet. "What a waste," she added lightly, before walking past him, her perfume lingering in the air long after she was gone.
Ash stepped into the office, his eyes landing on Lucien, who quickly brushed away the tears that had betrayed him. Catching Ash’s gaze, he straightened, forcing his composure.
Ash swallowed hard, his voice low. "Didn’t you say it’s exhausting...holding onto things that were never meant to be ours?"
Lucien gave a faint nod. "Yes."
"Then...why are you..."
Lucien forced a small, bitter smile. "At first, I held a faint hope that it wasn’t serious, that eventually he would find his way back to us. But now...he’s already impregnated her. Their bond has only deepened."
He rose from his chair and moved toward Ash. "But...we have each other." He forced a gentle smile and pulled Ash into his arms.
Ash sank into the embrace, feeling the warmth and security, yet deep inside, an ache lingered. Tears prickled his eyes as he whispered softly, "I wish you the best, Adrian."
...
In the office, Adrian sat slumped in the chair, papers and pens scattered around him, his frustration palpable. Bravin stood nearby, watching him with concern, unsure how to calm him.
Adrian ran a hand through his hair, eyes wide with disbelief. "How...how is this possible?" he muttered, knocking a few items from the table onto the floor. "I...don’t believe it."
Bravin said nothing, sensing that reason wouldn’t reach him right now.
Adrian’s gaze fell to the mess on the floor, his chest tightening. How could he deny it, when Celeste had shared the same room that night, witnessed by his father and Ash’s mother? The evidence of that night was undeniable.
,
In the evening, after classes, Naomi and Ash walked side by side. Naomi’s phone buzzled. She glanced at the screen and murmured, "Martin...he hasn’t answered any of my texts or calls all day. I guess he decided to call now."
Ash gave her a small nod, signaling her to take it.
Naomi swiped to answer and put the phone on loudspeaker. "Hello? Martin?"
Instead of him, a sobbing voice came through. "Senior Naomi...it’s Clara..."
Naomi froze, then turned to Ash. "It’s Martin’s little sister."
She took a deep breath and asked softly, "Clara are you okay? Is everything alright?"
Between her tears, Clara cried, "Brother...he’s dying..."
Shock ran through Naomi and Ash. "How? Where is he right now?" Ash asked urgently.
Clara’s voice wavered. "He’s lying on the bed...staggering..."
Ash’s heart pounded. "We’re on our way, right now."
He broke into run toward the parking lot where Lucien was waiting at the wheel, Naomi following close behind.
Lucien looked up, startled by their hurried, heavy breathing. Before he could speak, Ash blurted out, "Please, can you drive us to Martin’s house? There’s an emergency!"
Lucien’s eyes widened. Without another word, he started the car, tires squealing lightly as he accelerated down the road, careful but swift. Naomi guided him with precise directions, pointing out turns and landmarks as they raced toward Martin’s home.
They arrived at Martin’s house in record time. As the car screeched to a halt, Clara ran toward them, tears streaking her face, still in her school uniform.
"He’s...he’s already dead," she sobbed, collapsing into Naomi’s arms.
Ash and Naomi froze, hearts hammering. Ash gently steadied her, while Naomi murmured softly, "We’re here now. Show us."
They hurried inside, finding Martin lying motionless on his bed. Small bundles of herbs were scattered across the floor and table beside him.
Naomi’s eyes feel on the herbs, widening in shock. She turned to Clara, voice trembling. "Has he...taken it?"
Clara nodded, barely able to speak. Naomi whispered, swallowing hard, "Moonroot...He...he did an abortion."