Nothing but Entwined

Shu Qian had only meant to set Shen Heyi up with another woman for a night, but the next morning, she woke to find him lying beside her.

His thick lashes shadowed his warm eyes. Below his handsome, defined features, his elegant Adam's apple rose slightly.

Shu Qian knew he was the eldest son of the Shen family, refined and distinguished, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. His first cry had announced who would inherit the family fortune. Their worlds were as far apart as heaven and earth.

So while he slept, she gathered her things and slipped out of the room without a sound.

She thought they would never cross paths again. Then, a week later, Shu Qian saw that familiar figure through a window while she was in the maid's room at her mother's house.

At the dining table, Shen Heyi casually speared a piece of steak. The pregnancy test in Shu Qian's right pocket burned like molten lava.

Shu Qian thought Shen Heyi hadn't recognized her.

After all, they had passed each other in the room without their eyes meeting even once.

Until that night, when he pushed open her door and pinned her against the wall.

"Putting on an act?"

"You weren't like this in bed."

Knowing the truth was out, she knew things could never go back to the way they were.

Outside, Shu Qian had to act nonchalant in front of her mother and everyone else. In private, she had to scrape by under Shen Heyi's relentless bullying.

She saved up for two months to get an abortion, but Shen Heyi intercepted her before she could.

He glanced at the ultrasound and gave a slight smile. "Keep it. I'll take care of you."

"But..." Shu Qian hesitated. "My mother will find out."

He stroked her belly, slid a hand beneath her, lowered his head, and bit her lip. "Then hide your belly well."

Content warning: The heroine is pregnant from the start, and the male lead's love is coercive. He's a bad man.

Note: Both leads are virgins. The male lead is restrained and possessive; the heroine is gentle and reserved.

Theme: Love yourself