Chapter 1

Meadow, you are pregnant.” The school doctor said as she handed me the results. Her eyes fixed on me. My heart almost stopped. How could this be? It was just a one-time thing. Though I had suspected it when I missed my period. But I thought I was just overreacting.

“Do you know who the father of your child is?” The doctor asked in an irritating tone. She was peering into my face for an answer.

I was already shaking with fear as tears rolled down my cheeks. My mind was filled with a thousand questions. What would my poor mother say to me? The school will expel me once they find out I’m pregnant. I’m just eighteen years old. My life was literally falling apart right before my eyes.

“Meadow, you do know who the father of your child is, right? The doctor asked. You are still a teenager. I can only imagine the shame and disappointment this will bring to your parents.”

I lowered my head in shame as the tears poured freely from my face now. My whole body was shaking as I continued crying.

“Meadow, I’m asking you a question,” the doctor said angrily, hitting her desk, which made me almost jump. But I still refused to say a word.

Of course I knew who the father of my child was.

Two Months Ago:

“Happy Valentine’s, Meadow,” my best friend Matt said, handing me a single rose petal and smiling. I collected it. It meant so much to me that Matt was celebrating Valentine’s with me. I have been in love with him for so long, but I never confessed my feelings to him. My parents work for his family. My mom is their maid, while my father is their driver. And they were kind enough to enroll me in the same school with Matt.

“So who’s your date for Valentine’s?” Matt asked with his usual smile. His hazel eyes fixed on me. I turned away shyly. I wished Matt knew what was going through my mind at that moment.

Every time he looks at me that way, my heart skips a bit. But I’m not sure he knew about that. He only sees me as his best friend and nothing more. I wished he could see me more than that. But deep down inside of me, I knew it wasn’t possible. I’m just their servant's daughter.

“I don’t have a date,” I said with a small smile. I was starting to feel shy around him, and my heart was beating so fast.

“Really? What about Ethan? He’s always hanging around you in school these days. I thought you guys were a thing.”

I shook my head. “Ethan is just a friend.”

“Thought I was your only friend, Meadow,” Matt said, clutching his chest dramatically.

“You are my best friend, and Ethan is just a friend.”

“Does that mean I can do this?” He gave me a kiss on my lips.

I froze. My heart was racing, and my cheeks flushed as I touched my lips.

“You don’t need any other male friends or even a boyfriend. I’m here for you, Meadow. I will always stand by you.”

The way he said it, looking straight at me, made my heart race again. “We are not dating, Ethan. Eventually, I will start dating.”

He stood up and slammed his fists on the wall angrily. “Don’t you understand what I’m trying to say, Meadow? I can’t stand seeing you with Ethan or any other boy. I want you all to myself.”

“What about Annabel? You guys are dating.” I sat back on my bed. Annabel, the Queen B of our school, the cheerleader who never misses an opportunity to bully me, has made my life a living hell in school just because I was close to Matt. And she’s also from a rich family, if not richer than Matt’s family.

“I can end the relationship with Annabel right now and here just for you,” he said, removing his phone from his pocket. But I rushed to snatch it from him.

“What are you doing?”

“Ending whatever relationship I have with Annabel. I want you to be the only girl in my life, just like I want to be the only boy in your life.”

“Okay, you are getting ahead of yourself, Matt,” I said, looking at him and noticing how close our lips were.

“I promise, Meadow, I will never break your heart. Just give me a chance to love you.”

The moment he said those words, my heart melted. I have been longing for this day. I felt as if I was dreaming.

Matt stood up from the bed and started unbuttoning his shirt. When he was done, he threw the shirt on the floor. His trousers sat a bit low, exposing the V-line on his lower abdomen. I tried to pretend I didn’t know what he was about to do. I tried not to look at him, but I couldn't.

“What are you doing?”

“I want to show you just how much I love you, Meadow. I know you are still a virgin. I want to be your first. It will seal our love forever. I will be gentle.”

“There are other people inside the house,” I said weakly.

“No, it’s just the two of us. My parents went out and your mom went along with them. They won’t be back till tomorrow.”

I knew whatever was about to happen was wrong in all aspects, but my sense of reasoning was far gone at that point—or maybe it was the result of the long-time crush I had on Matt. I couldn’t resist him, so I gave in.

He was gentle just the way he promised, continuing to whisper his promises to never leave me or ever break my heart. When he was done, he gave me a kiss on my forehead and whispered, “You are mine now.” Before laying down beside me and pulling me into a tight cuddle as we slept off.

When I woke up to use the restroom, I was all alone. Matt was nowhere to be seen. I didn’t think much of it. Maybe he went to get something from his room and would be back.

After using the toilet, I had a very strong urge to go to Matt’s room and see what he was up to. I quickly wore my pajamas and slowly walked upstairs to his room.

I froze when I pushed the door open. Matt was having sex with Annabel right in his room. The same person who swore never to hurt me just a few hours ago was the same person having sex with Annabel? My phone fell from my hand.

Matt froze mid-thrust. He turned and saw I was standing at the door watching them with tears streaming down my face. I was expecting him to run to me and explain what was happening, but instead he smirked as he continued thrusting.

“Weirdo, close the door,” Annabel said, smiling triumphantly.

That night became the night that ruined my life. The next day, a video of me and Matt having sex was spread around the school, but Matt’s face was mysteriously cut from the clip.

Present Day:

“Meadow, I’m talking to you. You know who the father of your child is, don't you? Is he a student in this school?” The school doctor asked. Her question snapped me back to reality.

I remained quiet, tears streaming down my face. I’m in a big mess. How can I be pregnant? It was just one night.

“Since you don’t want to talk, I will send the results to the principal. She will handle it,” the doctor said. She was already angry.

My entire world collapsed at that moment. Because once the principal knew… There would be no place left for me in this school.