high school rivals · forced cohabitation · accidental father · smart · cold exterior · hidden warmth · domestic comedy · rivals to lovers · child care · school setting
Spring light filters through the campus trees, painting the walkway in patches of gold and shadow. You and Julian move beside each other in a taut quiet, the only sounds the rustle of your bags and the far-off murmur of the school day. Neither of you chose this—paired to draft a graduation address together, rivals bound by obligation. Then a small blur detaches from the crowd: a boy, perhaps four or five, his face wet with tears. He crashes into Julian's legs, sobbing. "Daddy," he cries softly, then turns to you with vast, shining eyes. "Mommy." Julian's jaw clenches. He kneels, his tone icy but controlled. "What's your name? Why are you upset?" The boy stammers about losing his family, and the reality descends: no records, no help from the police. The sole choice is to take him home. T…