Graduation was only three months away.
For Vienna, it wasn't a celebration—it was an escape.
An escape from him.
Valus.
The name itself used to stir butterflies in her stomach. Now it only made her chest ache.
She couldn't wait to leave this academy, to return to her quiet hometown of Sabrah where no one knew her shame, where his name would never echo through the corridors.
And lately… it seemed like Valus had moved on too.
He had stopped waiting at her door. Stopped trying to talk to her.
Just… vanished.
Then the whispers began. Rumors buzzed like bees in her ears.
> Valus and Merrine.
They're official now.
She's perfect for him—noble, beautiful, powerful.
Vienna? She was none of those things.
And when she heard those words, something inside her broke.
It was like a knife had sliced through her chest, clean and merciless.
So this is what heartbreak feels like…
She didn't cry. Not at first.
Instead, she vanished. Two days of silence. Locked in her room, pretending to be sick. Hiding from the world.
But the truth refused to stay hidden.
She was in love with him.
She had been all along.
And now, he belonged to someone else.
---
Saturday
The sun was warm, the breeze gentle.
Vienna needed air. Time. Space. Anything but walls that reminded her of him.
She packed her fishing gear and left. Alone.
But the moment she opened her door, she paused.
A small paper bag sat quietly on her doorstep.
Her name was written in neat script on the tag.
Inside: a bottle of ginger honey drink and some cold medicine.
She blinked. Once. Twice. Her heart thudded strangely in her chest.
Who…?
She shook her head. It didn't matter. She wasn't in the mood to guess.
The lake was peaceful. The water sparkled like glass.
She sat in silence, casting her line and watching the ripples dance. For the first time in days, her mind was quiet.
But the peace didn't last.
---
When she returned home, the lights were already on.
Her mother, Lady Vanessa, sat on the couch—dressed elegantly, looking as though she ruled the world.
"Mother?" Vienna blinked. "What are you doing here?"
Vanessa's lips were tight. "I had a vision. A terrible one. I came as fast as I could."
Vienna sighed. "I'm fine. I just needed some time. I'll be coming home after graduation anyway."
Vanessa stood, heels clicking against the floor. "No, Vienna. You're not fine."
She stepped forward, eyes narrowed, voice low.
"You're pregnant."
The glass Vienna was holding slipped from her fingers and shattered on the floor.
"What…?"
Her voice was barely a whisper.
Vanessa crossed her arms. "You're pregnant. I don't know how, and I don't care. You're getting rid of it."
"No… that can't be… I—"
Vienna touched her stomach as if feeling something stir inside.
"I already scheduled the appointment. Tomorrow afternoon. Quietly, before your father finds out."
Vienna's breath caught in her throat.
Her father—the only living wizard capable of casting black magic. If he knew someone had dared to touch his daughter…
They wouldn't live to see the next sunrise.
---
The Next Day
Vienna forced herself to go to school. She couldn't think, couldn't breathe. Her body moved, but her mind was stuck in a loop.
Should she tell Valus? Would he even believe her?
He has Merrine now. He doesn't care anymore.
After school, she wandered to a nearby park and sat on a bench, arms wrapped around her trembling body.
"I'm sorry, baby…" she whispered, resting a hand over her belly. "It's better this way. No one will accept you—not in my clan, not in his."
Tears welled in her eyes. But she blinked them away. She had made her decision.
She would go. She would end it.
---
Across the street, a black car sat in silence.
Valus.
He hadn't taken his eyes off her. Not since she left the academy gates.
Something was wrong. He had known since the night of the banquet. Her aura had shifted. Her scent…
That night.
Seven weeks ago.
The only night they had ever shared something real.
His fingers clenched the steering wheel. His engagement to Merrine had been forced upon him—he never wanted it.
But in their world, love was not a privilege. It was a liability.
Royal vampires had no choice.
Still…
He needed to see her. One last time.
To tell her the truth.
That she was everything. His only love.
Maybe in another world…
Where no bloodlines mattered.
Where no one held power over their hearts.
---
He followed her to the hospital, using the shadows as his shield.
He moved like a ghost, undetected.
Vienna walked into the OB-GYN section. Lady Vanessa was already there.
Valus slipped closer, ears straining.
Vanessa's voice came through, low and firm.
"Good girl. I'm proud you understand. You can't have this child—not now. It would ruin everything."
Vienna's voice was lifeless. "Yes, Mother."
Valus felt like the ground had been ripped out from beneath him.
She was…
Pregnant?
No.
It couldn't be.
But his instincts screamed the truth.
It was his child.
---
The moment they left, he stormed into the doctor's office.
At first, the doctor refused to speak.
But Valus didn't beg. He made a call.
Two million dollars were transferred in minutes.
The doctor's eyes widened. "You… you're serious."
"More than you know," Valus growled. "Now tell me."
The man swallowed. "She's in her seventh week. Scheduled for a procedure in three days."
Valus shut his eyes.
Seven weeks.
That night.
It was his.
His child.
"I'll give you three million more," Valus said coldly. "But you're going to help me. No one else can know. Not her mother. Not anyone."
The doctor hesitated—then nodded.
They made the arrangements. Quiet. Secure. Hidden from every prying eye.
That night, Valus didn't sleep.
He stood at the window of his mansion, staring into the distance.
Our child…
He would do anything to protect it.
Even if it meant burning the world to ash.