Pregnant with the Senator's Son

f the university campus buzzed with energy, but her mind was elsewhere-focused, as always, on her studies and her goal of becoming a public defender. S

t often does,

mething," a voice ca

with an effortless confidence that came from years of privileg

fingers brushed, just for a second, but it sent

You asked that question about jud

urprised he'd rememb

Not many students challeng

s," Anna replied, defensive. "Blin

aid. "I'm Natha

te smile. "I kn

r to a political dynasty, and already being groomed for a future campaign. Most girls on camp

gers on their critical thinking?

added with a grin, "And when I'm trying to

tated. "I

I promise it's less stuffy than it sounds. Free food, decent mus

is world wasn't hers. But something in Nathan's tone, in the way he looked

said. "I'll t

mansion so large it made museums look modest-Anna regretted agreeing. She wore her

ance with a warmth that put he

uxedos and women in designer gowns floated from room to room, sippi

s overw

e," she whispe

e to my world. I hat

, and political advisors who barely registered her presence. But she noticed everythi

an led her to a quiet terrace overlooking the city. The lights below twinkled

ferent," he

erent

ssed by any of th

hat's behind the curtain. Power li

here you a

was si

't be," sh

" he said, st

t warning, h

mpulsive, raw, and filled with something deeper than either of them could admit. When

_____________

ied to convince herself it was n

classes with coffee and shy smiles. She resisted-at first. Her world did

an was p

he ranted about inequality in the justice system. He quoted her favorite authors. He held

ht, she did

onnection between two people from different

er hand, heart thundering. Tw

hispered. "This c

nute-graduation, internship, bar ex

d her. How would he react? What would his family do? The Elr

cided t

kipped classes. She stared at her ceiling at night, hand

Nathan waiting for her. His face lit up when he saw he

What's

mouth, then c

o me,"

breath. "I'

le

nd through his hair, stepping

e?" he asked

d, eyes g

the words she

u. We'll fig

didn't remain

mself summoned Anna to his

te. The senator sat behind a massive desk

a mess, Ms. Leroy

is," Anna replied

ipping with sarcasm. "And now, you expect

othing from you. I'll raise thi

his baby-if it even exists-threatens everything I've built

eaten me," she

clinic. A generous check. And the assurance that you

without an

athan everything. His

l this," he said.

our family

my fam

ors on a stormy sea. But deep down,

her name was leake

Senator's Son," t

ssors looked at her differently. Friends avoided

uldn't

class and woke up in a hospital bed. The

her eyes. "We're not running an

For the first time,

anym

f Cha

_________