"CHASE, I'm pregnant..."

Despite their heavy breathing, it felt as if an angel had flown into the office when Franceska uttered those words.

She sensed Chase freeze. When she looked at him, the lust in his eyes was gone, replaced by a blank expression.

They were both sweating; they had just reached their peak after an intense encounter. But Chase seemed to recoil from her, slowly getting dressed as if he hadn't heard a thing.

Though weak, Franceska slowly stood and turned to face him.

"Chase..." she tried to get his attention, but he seemed to be ignoring her. So Franceska stopped him from dressing. "Chase, I said I'm pregnant," she repeated.

"What?" he uttered. Chase towered over Franceska, forcing her to look up.

"I said I'm pregnant—"

"So? So, what if you're pregnant? What do you want me to do about it? Do you want me to shout it from the rooftops that you're pregnant?" he interrupted sarcastically.

Franceska's jaw dropped in shock at his response. Asshole!

She knew Chase was a serious type of person, even grumpy and taciturn with her. They had no relationship; they were just fuck buddies, using each other. But she never expected this reaction.

Franceska shook her head. "Are you hearing yourself, Chase?! I said I'm pregnant! Why are you saying that? Don't you care about our child?" Her voice rose in anger at the man before her. She was close to tears.

She didn't care if people outside his office overheard them. She didn't care if others heard that the town's mayor seemed unwilling to take responsibility for their child. She didn't care if she caused a scandal. Her mind was blank; causing a scene didn't matter anymore.

What mattered was telling Chase about her situation. That's why when he called and asked to meet, she didn't hesitate, even though she had classes.

"Fuck!" Chase suddenly cursed and looked at the door. He sighed and, still naked, went to his swivel chair.

Franceska shook her head. What? Was he afraid that people outside would find out that their respected mayor was also engaging in debauchery? That he was committing lewd acts inside his office during working hours?

"How can I be so sure that I'm the father of you're carrying if I'm not sure I'm the only one who's been with you? Besides, you're taking pills, right?" Chase said coldly.

Franceska clenched her fists. She loved this jerk, Chase, but sometimes he went too far with his words. He was too harsh. But instead of showing she was hurt, she slowly approached him. Franceska was still naked, but she didn't care if he saw her.

Was Chase accusing her of sleeping around? When her world revolved almost entirely around him?

Wasn't it enough that instead of just flirting with him, she'd gone crazy for him?

And was she that promiscuous in his eyes?

"I didn't know you thought I was such a slut after I gave you my virginity!" Franceska angrily shouted at Chase, pointing at his chest.

Chase smirked insultingly, giving her a look of disgust as if he hadn't devoured her body countless times.

Franceska couldn't control herself anymore. She raised her hand and slapped him.

Chase's jaw tightened. His head turned to the left from the force of her slap. After a few seconds, he turned back to face her, giving her a death glare.

But Franceska didn't care. Chase deserved that fucking slap!

She heard his heavy breathing and he brushed away her finger from his chest. It was clear he didn't like what she did.

"I didn't ask for your virginity! You came to my room and offered yourself to me! And you took advantage of me, especially since I was drunk! Look how desperate you are!" Chase said to Franceska, his voice full of contempt.

Franceska looked away and smiled bitterly.

His words hit their mark. It was true; she was desperate for Chase's attention. But she was desperate because she loved him, and she was willing to do anything to be loved in return.

"I-I'm sorry for being desperate! But we can't change anything. Chase, you need to take responsibility!" Franceska said, on the verge of tears. She didn't know what to do.

He had to take responsibility because if he didn't, her parents would disown her. Her period was late. She hadn't taken a pregnancy test yet, but she was sure she was pregnant.

"Get out, Franceska! I don't have time for your bullshit. I'm busy," Chase said, pointing to the door. He rubbed his temples, clearly trying to control his anger at her for slapping him.

"What?! Chase, I'm not joking! I'm pregnant, and you're the father!" Frustrated, Franceska slammed her fist on the table.

Chase stopped dressing again. He looked up at Franceska, then clenched his jaw. He seemed to be running out of patience.

"Get rid of that baby, then," he nonchalantly said and resumed getting dressed.

Franceska's mouth dropped open in shock. She blinked in surprise, but that surprise quickly turned to anger as she processed Chase's words.

For the second time, she slapped him across the face. Her whole body trembled with rage.

"What the fuck!" Chase exclaimed, surprised and angry. His eyes widened, and he quickly grabbed her wrist. "I've had enough of you, Franceska! Get out of my office before I do something you'll regret!" He stood up from his swivel chair, still holding her wrist, and pulled her toward the door, not even noticing that she was still naked.

But Franceska stood her ground. She struggled, and for the third time, she slapped Chase, causing him to glare at her. But she wasn't afraid of him. She was angry, disappointed, and hurt! She never thought he would say that to her.

"I'm not leaving, Chase! Oh my God! I can't believe I'm hearing this from you! How could you! How could you say I should get an abortion?! Are you fucking serious? Your own child? You're a mayor! People know you as a good politician! But you're willing to abort your own child? Are you even human?!" Franceska said incredulously.

She knew Chase didn't like her, even though they'd been intimate several times. That was her mistake; she kept forcing herself on him, hoping he might eventually like her. But she had assumed too much.

She saw Chase tense up after a moment of shock. He took a deep breath, ruffled his hair, and undid the top three buttons of his polo shirt.

"But you can't be pregnant, Franceska!" he said, looking directly into her eyes, his gaze filled with denial.

"But I am, Chase! What you want me to do is a sin! I won't do it!" she said firmly. She was afraid of facing her parents' anger for her mistake, but she couldn't deny her child the right to live.

She was willing to sacrifice many things, like her studies. But this was her own flesh and blood. She couldn't be a bad person.

"But you can't be pregnant! Francine and I got back together! And we're planning to get married right after she graduates!"

W-What?!

Chase's words hit Franceska like a bomb. She froze, unable to move. She felt like a candle slowly melting, weakening.

When did Chase and his twin get back together? She thought they were over.

And was that why Chase had called her to his office today? To make it clear that she was nothing more than a bedmate, nothing more? That no matter what she did, he wouldn't love her, that only Francine was in his heart?