"Hello?"

"Is your class over?' Gideon's languid voice travelled down the line. 'I'm at the main gate.

""You're at my school?

"Uh-huh. I want to take you out for dinner."

'But it's just four o'clock in the afternoon."

'Then afternoon ta'

Kira hesitated.

She glanced back towards the office. "Okay. I'll be out in five mi

five minutes."

She hung up

The office door was ejer.

Giana and Mr Lance were in the middle of a heated discussion about the dormitory's hot water supply.

Kira slipped away

She ran towards the lift and shot a text to Glana after the door slid shut. 'Something's come up. Gotta go. Talk to you later."

She saw Gideon cooling his heels under an elm tree outside the main gate.

His black BMW was parked not far away.

Gideon was smoking

The scene was so familiar, it brought Kira's mind back to six years ago.

After Gideon came to live with the Hewitts, he took on two jobs and used the money to pay rent

He also volunteered for pick-up duty.

When school was out, Kira would always find Gideon waiting for her outside.

The scrawny-looking teen stood out among the crowd of grandparents.

He kept to himself and stood apart from the chatty grandpas and grandmas

Later, Leland got him a new ID and a place at the school

He walked with Kira to and from school every day, like a dutiful but unpaid bodyguard.

Kira stared at the grown-up version of her older brother.

As if sensing her gaze, Gideon locked up.

Asmile broke out on his face where he caught sight of Kira

He ground out the cigarette butt with his heel and waited for her to go to him.

'That's littering, you know, Kira said.

Gideon bent downs, picked up the butt and tossed it into a dustbin nearby. There. Better?"

"Better." Kira lowered her head and wrung her hands.

Their last meeting had ended with her slapping him in the face.

At that time, she was in a bad place emotionally and took out her frustrationë kë

Condoms Are Not Hundred Per Cent Effective

"I'm sorry about-' she started to say.

"I'm sorry-'Gideon said at the same time.

They both paused, exchanged a look and laughed. "What are you sorry for?" she asked.

You Can't Have His Baby

For the things I said to you last time." Gideon looked her in the eye. "I shouldn't have said those things about Austyn. It was stupid and wrong. hurt von I'm sorryText content © .

"Water under the bridge. Kira waved a hand dismissively.

"That's a relief. Okay, your turn."

"I'm sorry for slapping you in the face. Kira looked shamefaced.

It had been an uncharacteristic outburst for her.

"You're forgiven."Gideon tousled her hair. Like you said, water under the bridge. I can never stay mad at you.'

Kira swatted his hand away. "You're messing up my ponytail."

"You are in a good mood today. Is it because of Austyn?'

"You heard?"

Gideon nodded. "He's returned to Stamford, right? So I take it everything's fine with him?'

"That's good to know. Gideon smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"There's another piece of good news. Kira's face was flushed with excitement

Other than her father, Gideon was all the family she had left in the world-Helen and Georgina did not count.

She had been meaning to call him and share the good news.

"Oh? What is it?

"I'm prognant'

Kira stared at the ground, feeling a little shy.

How would Gideon react?

Would he be all flustered like Austyn, or suffer a dropped jaw like Glana?

Would he be happy for her?

With her head lowered, she didn't catch the murderous rage in Gideon's eyes.

The smile on his face vanished

He clenched his jaw

'I'm. I'm pregnant." Kira looked up and was startled by the terrifying look on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Austyn's child? Gideon asked through gritted teeth

Kira stared at the veins throbbing on the side of his neck and felt panie rising in her chest.

This was not the reaction she expected,

And his question was making her uncomfortable.

Of course it was Austyn's child.

Who else's could it be?

Kira took a step backwards.

She thought Gideon would be thrilled to know he was going to be an uncle soon.

But now she regretted telling him about her pregnancy

He didn't look happy at all.

"I should, uh, get back, Glane's waiting for me, Can I take a rain check on the afternoon tea?"

Kira inched towards the main ga

Gideon clutched her wrist and spun ber around.

What are you doing?"

He dragged her towards the BMW.

Gideon! Let go of me!" Kirastruggled

Ghlean kept up his vice like gripen her wrist and said nothing

'Glleen Garnet" kini digital

He yanked hapen The Trant

passenger

side door and shoved her into the seat

Kita trishta clamber out but he slammed the door shut in her face.

Teruel, Kara fumbles for the door handle.

Gideon got into the driver's seat before she could get out.

He wrenched her hand away from the handle,

The door lock thumbed into place.

the hell are

are you doing?

*çikleon Gamer!" Kina shrank back in her seat and kicked out at him. This is kidnapping! What the

He stated the car.

Kita punched his arms. 'Stop the car! Let me out!!

"I'll let you out at the hospital. Ilis voice was deally calm.

"I don't want to go to the hospitall Kira was scared by this version of Gideon.

It was like he underwent a sudden transformation from Dr Jekyll in Mr Hyde.

What set him olt?

He was the a minute ago.

What he said next made her blood run cold.

"You're going to the hospital, and you're going to get rid of the baby."

Kira stopped dead, 'W-what?"

"You're going to get an abortion."

The car turned onto a boulevard.

"You're not having Ausryn's baby,' Gideon declared,

Kira was so shocked by what she heard, her brain shut down.

The car was barrelling down the road at a hair-raising speed, but she barely noticed.

She blinked. 'What what did you say?

You can't have his baby, Kira. Gideon stared straight ahead. I can tolerate you being with him, for now, but that doesn't mean I can tolerate you having his baby." He had no choice.

Kira didn't give him enough time.

He had been willing to wait-wait for Austyn to return, wait for Kira to discover Austyn's bastard child, wait for their fi divorce

But Kira's pregnancy threw a monkey wrench into his plans.

He knew how much value she placed on family.

Leland and Helen's divorce left a traumatising mark in her memory.

She abhorred the idea of a broken family

If she gave birth to Austyn's child, she was never going to leave him

Then Gideon would never get her back.

No, the child could not be allowed to exist.

kira couldn't understand what he was thinking

Gideon's jaw was set, a sign of his determination.

You have no right to decide that!" She was tempted to wrest the

She had her baby to think of now.

She couldn't afford to take any risks.

Her and stole towards her jeans pocket.

i thought you would be thrilled to have a nice or a ph

falling-out and the inevitable

the steering wheel from him, but she was afraid it would only end in a car crash.

'I'm more thrilled to have a son or a daughter."

He added after ap pause, "With you."

Kira's eyes widened. "You told me you've let go of the past! You said you're okay with being my brother! I thought we were family!"

Her hand came up empty.

Shit, she must have lost her phone during the struggle.

It wasn't in her pocket.

'I had to say that because it's the only way you'll let me back into your life.' Gideon caught her movement our of the corner of his eye. He wasn't concerned

She wasn't going to find her phone.

And she wasn't getting away.