Claimed By My Ex’s Stepbrother

The scent of antiseptic filled the small hospital room. Tessa’s hands trembled as the nurse smiled, holding the ultrasound report like a fragile promise. All she could hear was the pounding of her own heart. Months of pills, hormone injections, and doctor visits had drained her both physically and emotionally. And now, maybe… a flicker of hope. Maybe, finally, a chance to give her fiancé what he wanted: a child. Their child. “Congratulations, Miss Quinn.” The nurse smiled. “You’re pregnant.” “Yes!” Tessa squealed. “I’m finally pregnant with Grayson’s baby!” A shaky breath escaped her lips and her eyes sparkled with hope. Finally. After all the heartache and desperation, she could give Grayson the baby he wanted so badly. The baby who would secure his place as heir to Thorne Industries, just like Grayson’s father’s will had demanded. This wasn’t just about her anymore. It was about survival. She clutched the report close, imagining Grayson’s smile, the relief flooding his face. T

“Okay, Tessa, you have to tell me, what’s really going on?” Her best friend, Gina, said as she sat across from her. “You’ve been off since yesterday.” “It’s... It’s not Grayson’s baby, Gina,” Tessa said, her voice low. “The hospital called. There was a mix-up. Someone else’s sperm was used.” Gina’s eyes widened. “What? Wait, are you serious?” she asked, shocked. Tessa nodded, her voice breaking. “I’m serious. I don’t know what to do. I’m so confused. And terrified.” “But... what does that mean? What are you going to tell him?” She shook her head, swallowing hard. “I don’t know. I can’t tell Grayson. Not like this. He’ll think I’m lying. Or I cheated. Or worse... He’ll hate me. He’s obsessed with having an heir.” Gina leaned back, sighing. “That’s a lot to carry, Tessa. But you have to do something about it. What if he finds out for himself?” “If he finds out, it’ll destroy everything. And not just with him... his mother, his family — they won’t stop until I’m broken.” “So what?

Tessa pushed open the glass doors of the hotel, her hands trembling as she walked down the marble stairs. When she looked up, Roman was staring at her like he’d just made a deal he regretted. She had signed the contract. She had gotten more compensation than she had ever imagined. And when the time came, he would take the baby. This was supposed to be good, she told herself. “Tessa,” Roman called out. “I’ll be leaving now.” One of his bodyguards opened the car door for him. He slid in, adjusting his dark glasses. Then his eyes narrowed, a flicker of realization crossing his face. “What happened to your lips?” he asked darkly. “What do you mean?” Tessa tried to sound confused. “Your lips are bruised,” he said, reaching up to tilt her face so he could inspect her. “What happened?” Her fingers brushed over her lips, and the sting burned into her flesh where Grayson had hit her. “It’s nothing,” she said quickly. “I fell, that’s all.” He looked at her like he knew she was lying but

Tessa moved to the door slowly, buying herself seconds she didn’t have. Roman stood in a dark coat, his presence filling the narrow porch. His eyes swept over her, unreadable, sharp enough to strip her bare. “What are you doing here?” she asked, keeping her tone flat. “We need to talk… now.” “Yeah? About what?” She folded her arms. “I thought we agreed that until the baby—” “I noticed your calls,” he blurted out. She blinked, stunned by his sudden change in tone. “It was a mistake.” “Twice is too much for a mistake.” His gaze dropped to her arm—the one she kept folded against her body. “What’s the problem?” he asked. “Nothing.” “Don’t lie to me.” His voice cut through the air like steel. He pulled her closer, tugging up her sleeves, his eyes darkening at the bruises. “Who did this to you?” he demanded. “It’s nothing,” she shrugged. “Would you stop with the damn lies?” he snapped. “Just stop it.” “What do you want, Roman?” she asked, pulling away from him. He drew in a de

“How dare you set foot into this house?” Eleanor’s voice cut through the room like glass. Roman met her glare without flinching. “Well, it’s nice to see you too, Eleanor,” he said, stepping further in. “I kind of like what you’ve done with the place.” He smirked, taking in the newly changed environment. “You are not welcome here,” she snapped, moving forward. “Mother!” Grayson yelled, making her pause in her steps. “Wait.” Roman raised a brow, his eyes locked onto Grayson’s for the first time in years. Grayson stepped forward, adjusting the collar of his shirt. “Well well well,” Grayson said, a smirk crawling across his face. “Look who decided to show up.” “It’s nice to see you, too, brother,” Roman smiled. “You look worse than the last time I saw you. You good?” Grayson’s jaw tightened. “Still hiding behind cheap insults, I see.” “Cheap?” Roman chuckled. “Coming from the man who threw a tantrum so loud I heard it before I even walked in.” Grayson’s smirk faltered. A flicker