my sugar daddy won't let me go

Chapter 1: The Final Warning Ava Carter had always believed that hard work could fix almost anything. Study harder. Work longer. Sleep less. Keep going. That was how she'd lived her entire life. While other students spent weekends at cafés or parties, Ava spent hers balancing lectures, assignments, and a part-time job that barely covered her daily expenses. Every dollar she earned disappeared almost as quickly as it came—transportation, food, textbooks, and whatever little she could secretly send home to help her parents. She never complained. Complaining didn't pay bills. It didn't buy medicine. And it certainly didn't keep students in school. Her phone vibrated against the tiny desk in her hostel room. She barely looked at it. Another email. Probably another reminder about tuition. She sighed and continued highlighting a chapter in her Principles of Management textbook. Her concentration lasted all of thirty seconds. The notification sat stubbornly at the top of her screen. Finally, she unlocked her phone. The sender made her stomach tighten. Student Finance Office Her heartbeat quickened. Slowly, she opened the email. FINAL NOTICE: OUTSTANDING TUITION FEES Her breathing became shallow. "Dear Miss Carter," "This serves as your final notice regarding your outstanding tuition fees. Students with unpaid balances after seven days will be suspended from all academic activities. Their student portal will be deactivated until payment has been confirmed." "No further extensions will be granted." Seven days. The words refused to leave her mind. Seven days. She read the email again. And again. As if reading it enough times would somehow change it. It didn't. A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts. "Ava!" A cheerful voice came from outside. "Class starts in ten minutes!" She quickly locked her phone. "I'm coming!" After taking one deep breath, she forced herself to smile at her reflection in the small mirror hanging beside her wardrobe. The smile looked fake. But it would have to do. --- The Business Administration lecture hall buzzed with energy. Students laughed over unfinished assignments. Some argued over yesterday's football match. Others complained about group presentations. Life carried on as though nothing was wrong. Ava wished she could be part of it. Instead, she sat in the third row with her notebook open, hearing every word the lecturer said but remembering none of it. "...every successful business begins with proper financial planning..." Financial planning. She almost laughed. If planning alone could save businesses, her father's bakery wouldn't be collapsing one unpaid bill at a time. The lecturer continued speaking while diagrams filled the projector screen. Around her, students scribbled notes. Ava simply stared. Her phone buzzed silently. Dad She frowned. Her father never called during lectures unless something was wrong. Heart pounding, she excused herself and hurried into the corridor. "Hello, Daddy." "My princess." His voice sounded warm, but underneath it was exhaustion. "How are classes?" "They're okay." "You've eaten?" Ava looked down at the untouched biscuit packet inside her bag. "Yes." It came out too quickly. She hated lying to him. There was a pause. Then he sighed. "The hospital called." Every muscle in Ava's body tensed. "What happened?" "They said your mother's medication needs to be renewed this week." "Didn't we just buy it?" "They increased the price." Of course they had. Everything kept becoming more expensive. Except hope. "How much?" she asked quietly. Her father's answer made her knees weaken. It was more money than the bakery had earned all week. "I'll send something," Ava whispered. "No." His voice became firmer. "You'll keep that money for yourself." "But—" "You are staying in school." "Daddy..." "Your mother and I didn't sacrifice everything just to watch you give up." Ava bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from crying. "How's Mom?" "She's sleeping." He hesitated. "She's been asking about you." "I'll come home this weekend." "She'll like that." A few more moments passed before they ended the call. Ava remained standing in the empty hallway, staring at the blank screen of her phone. The walls suddenly felt too close. She wanted to scream. Instead, she wiped the tears gathering in her eyes and returned to class as though nothing had happened. --- When lectures ended, most students headed toward the campus cafeteria. The smell of fried rice and grilled chicken drifted through the air. Ava kept walking. She checked her wallet. Just enough money for transportation tomorrow. Not enough for lunch. Her stomach growled in protest. She ignored it. Food could wait. Her tuition couldn't. --- The administration building was unusually quiet. Ava stood outside the Finance Office for almost two minutes before finally gathering enough courage to walk in. A middle-aged woman looked up from behind a computer. "Name?" "Ava Carter." The woman typed for a few seconds. Then she sighed. "I'm sorry." Ava hadn't even spoken yet. "I just need a little more time." "The deadline has already been extended twice." "My mother is seriously ill." "I understand." "My father owns a small bakery." Another sympathetic smile. "I truly wish there was something I could do." Ava swallowed hard. "If payment isn't received within seven days, your student account will be suspended. You won't be able to attend lectures, sit examinations, or access your student portal." The words echoed in her ears. Seven days. Again. Always seven days. She thanked the woman even though there was nothing to be thankful for and walked out. --- The evening sky had begun turning orange by the time Ava reached a quiet bench near the school gate. Students walked past laughing. Someone played music from a portable speaker. A couple posed for pictures beneath a flowering tree. The entire world seemed determined to remind her how normal everyone else's life was. "Ava." She looked up. Ethan smiled as he walked toward her carrying two paper cups. "I knew you'd skip lunch again." "You know me too well." "I try." He handed her a cup of coffee before sitting beside her. For a while, neither of them spoke. Then he noticed her swollen eyes. "You got another email." She nodded. "The final one." He exhaled slowly. Without saying anything, he reached for her hand. His fingers were warm. "We'll figure this out." "How?" "I'll work more shifts." "Ethan..." "I mean it." "You already work evenings." "I'll find another job." Ava shook her head. "I can't let you do that." "You'd do the same for me." She smiled sadly. Maybe she would. Maybe that was why this hurt so much. "I don't want to lose school." "You won't." "I don't want my parents blaming themselves." "They won't." "I don't know what to do anymore." Ethan gently pulled her into a hug. For the first time all day, Ava allowed herself to cry. Not loudly. Just enough for the tears to soak into his shirt. When she finally pulled away, the campus lights had begun flickering on. Students hurried toward their hostels. Life moved forward. Whether she was ready or not. As they walked toward the gate together, Ava couldn't shake the feeling that the next seven days would change everything. She just didn't know how much of herself she would lose before they were over.