Chapter 7: Cassandra Cage

Packing my shit and getting out of here is the best way to avoid strangling him…if I was able to best him in kombat that is…Cassie packed her duffel bag furiously, just tossing things in with angry tears forming in her eyes. None of it was supposed to happen. None of it made sense how fast it happened. And now she was running away to avoid dealing with the pain. To avoid dealing with him and how strong his feelings were for her. It was just supposed to be sex. At least that was what she told herself to feel better about coldly having an abortion. But she would never.

It wasn't in her, her family loved babies. Sonya would feel disappointed but would warm up quickly and she knew her father would be ecstatic at having a grandchild to act silly with. It was all her. She was the one with the problem. She was the one who was too foolish to acknowledge what the real issue was. She was annoyed at herself for falling in love and not taking her training seriously. She was supposed to be the cold bitch her mother trained her to be and here she was acting basic like a besotted teenager.

If her mother ever knew that she got knocked up instead of knocking out her opponents, her shame would be too much to bear. So she packed a bit faster and nearly snarled when her door burst open, revealing the face of Kuai Liang.

"You don't have to leave," he said quietly.

"I don't want to stay so it's best I go. I lost sight of what was important, now I have to nurse my shame and get myself together." Cassie didn't bother turning around, but she tensed feeling his strong arms wrap around her shoulders.

"Cassan-Cassie, the child…is important to me. I understand you have no interest in our union but I can't help but wish…to be a father."

She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck with each word. It soothed her and angered her at the same time. She wanted to be upset with him. But she just couldn't be. He was too gentle, too open. She shrugged him off of her and continued tossing things into the bag.

"I was just pissed so I-I said that without thinking. You put me on the spot," she finally looked at him, "I needed to put you on the spot too."

"Understandable. And I regret what occurred. I admit that in that moment I went about it all wrong. I wanted to force your hand and the conversation. I apologize." He stood up straight with his arms crossed behind his back, pale eyes staring back at her intently.

"That's exactly what I'm talking about! You're still doing it now! Being calm, cool, and I feel like shit! It makes me feel worse." She sighed heavily and sat down on the bed, pushing the duffel bag to the side. "You have it all together, like every move is calculated and intentional. It's something my mother would admire. Something I don't have."

He made as though he would speak but then clammed up. It was those little things that made her want to disappear. He didn't argue, he didn't get angry, he didn't make her feel small, and yet she was all of those things and felt unworthy.

"What will you do with the child?" He spoke quietly yet she was jolted out of her thoughts.

"Don't worry about that. The baby isn't going anywhere. But I am." She stood up and he stayed put, his eyes never leaving her face.

"I'll send the child when it's born."

"You know that I'm in love with you, right?"

She was annoyed at him for being so blunt. "That's not what any of this was supposed to be," she huffed. "I…I gotta go." She snatched the duffel bag and practically raced out of the room, avoiding Kuai Liang's intense stare.

I'm sorry but I'm not cut out for this love crap. I just want to fight. I just want to be the best kombatant. And I don't want to be a mom. Especially not my mom!

Thank you so much to those who have read, enjoyed, and reviewed the story. As per usual, please leave lots of reviews and please regard me kindly *bows*