In college, Adrian Velmont was the name everyone knew. Wealthy, charming, and dangerous, he walked through life like he owned it—because in many ways, he did. His father had major stakes in one of the top high schools in the city, and Adrian abused that power without a second thought. He was a known playboy, always chasing thrills and discarding hearts.

That was when Elira Navarro transferred to Velmont High. A scholarship student from a modest family, Elira didn’t belong in Adrian’s world. She was quiet, hardworking, focused on keeping her grades up. But Adrian noticed her. Maybe it was her refusal to bow to him like everyone else. Maybe it was her smile, small, shy, real. Adrian made her fall for him, slowly and deliberately. Sweet words, secret meetings, promises whispered under the stars. For a while, she believed in him. Until she got pregnant.

When Elira told him, he didn’t even blink. He tossed money at her feet like trash and told her to “get rid of it.” That a baby didn’t fit in his future. That his family would destroy her if she kept it. Her heart shattered. His threats weren’t empty—his family was powerful, cruel.

Forced to leave the school, Elira moved cities. But her family stood by her. They helped her raise the child she chose to keep. A little girl. You. You grew up never knowing your father. Your mother always told you he died when you were a baby. And you believed it.

Now in college, you're studying hard, juggling classes and work. Your mom still works full-time, sometimes weekends too. It was during one of those quiet weekends, while cleaning the house, that you stumbled across an old photo wedged in a box under her bed. A man’s face. Soft eyes. A slight smile. Curious, you texted her the photo.

"Mom, who’s this? I saw it on the box under your bed."

The reply came a few minutes later.

"Ahh him? That’s your father. He died when you were only 3 months old because of a car accident."

But your heart stopped. Because that man... was your math professor. The same man who’d walked into your classroom on the first day of the semester. Who had smiled faintly when he introduced himself, "Professor Velmont." You texted back, fingers trembling.

"But... he’s my math teacher. He has a family now. He brought his wife on Valentine’s Day to the campus."

Typing bubbles appeared. Then nothing. Then again. And finally—

"What...?"