Claimed By My Ex’s Stepbrother

  The scent of antiseptic filled the small hospital room. My hands trembled as the nurse smiled, holding the ultrasound report like a fragile promise.

  

  

    All I could hear was the pounding of my own heart. Months of pills, hormone injections, and doctor visits had drained me both physically and emotionally.

  

  

  

    And now, maybe….a flicker of hope. Maybe, finally, a chance to give my fiancé what he wanted, a child. Our child.

  

  

  

    “Congratulations, Miss Quinn.” The nurse smiled. “You’re pregnant.”

  

  

  

    “Yes!” I squealed. “I’m finally pregnant with Grayson’s baby!” A shaky breath escaped my lips and my eyes sparkled with hope.

  

  

  

    Finally. After all the heartache and desperation, I 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 me anymore. It was about survival.

  

  

  

    I clutched the report close, imagining Grayson’s smile, the relief flooding his face. This was our future, my future.

  

  

  

    I grabbed my purse and jolted out of the hospital in a hurry, excited to share the news.

  

  

  

    The elevator dinged open to our high rise apartment floor. My heart raced as I fumbled with my keys.

  

  

  

    I stepped inside, expecting silence, peace, and maybe a smile from Grayson.

  

  

  

    Instead, laughter spilled from the living room.

  

  

  

    Grayson lounged on the velvet couch, an arm wrapped possessively around a woman I knew too well — his secretary, Sofia.

  

  

  

    Tall, sleek, with an amused smirk curling her lips.

  

  

  

    “Grayson,” my voice cracked like glass. “What’s happening?”

  

  

  

    He didn’t even look up. “You again. What are you doing here?”

  

  

  

    My fists clenched. “You think I’m stupid? I should be asking you. After everything I’ve put myself through? The pills, the appointments I dragged myself to even when I was shaking, the sleepless nights wondering if this would finally be our chance and this is how you repay me?”

  

  

  

    Grayson shrugged, cold and unapologetic. “You’ve been nothing but a disappointment, Tessa. I don’t even think you can get pregnant.”

  

  

  

    The words hit me like ice water.

  

  

  

    “No,” I hissed, stepping closer, my voice low but fierce. “I’ve done everything. Every damn thing. How can you treat me like this?”

  

  

  

    Sofia chuckled, sharp and cruel. “Maybe you’re just not the right one, Tessa. Maybe I’m the one who can actually give Grayson what he wants.”

  

  

  

    Grayson smirked. “She’ll give me my heir.” He said, rubbing Sofia’s belly. “You’re nothing but a broken failure.”

  

  

  

    “How dare you speak to me like this?” I snapped.

  

  

  

    Sofia stood, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Don’t pretend you were ever enough for him.”

  

  

  

    Grayson laughed darkly. “You’re dried up, Tessa. You’ve been lying to me the whole time. You can’t bear my heir. No baby is coming. At least not from you.”

  

  

  

    My hands balled into fists. “How dare you? I’ve done everything for us. For you.”

  

  

  

    He smirked. “And look where it got you. Get out of my sight. Just looking at you makes me sick.”

  

  

  

    My voice grew sharper, fueled by anger and heartbreak. “You fucking bastard. How can you do this?” I asked dragging his shirt.

  

  

  

    Before he could reply, the front door swung open.

  

  

  

    His mother — Eleanor — stepped in, regal and cold, her eyes like daggers aimed at me. “Get your filthy hands off my son. How dare you question him for you not being able to carry his baby? You sterile piece of junk.”

  

  

  

    My breath hitched. “That’s not true.”

  

  

  

    Eleanor’s lips curled. “I’m not wrong. You’re weak, incapable of giving us what we need.”

  

  

  

    Sofia leaned in, her voice silky and cruel. “I will give Grayson the heir he deserves. You’re just a broken woman.”

  

  

  

    “Would you shut up, you home wrecker?” I snapped, lunging at Sofia, rage blazing in my eyes. But Grayson caught me, shoving me backwards.

  

  

  

    Before I knew it, his hand flew across my face, giving me a burning slap.

  

  

  

    His mother’s eyes narrowed in approval and Sofia smirked.

  

  

  

    “Grayson. How dare you? How dare you hit me?” I sniffed.

  

  

  

    “That’s enough, Tessa. I am done with you. Now get out of my house.”

  

  

  

    Tears blurred my vision as pain and humiliation washed over me.

  

  

  

    “Fine. I see who you truly are now. And I never want to have anything to do with you again. I hope this home-wrecker can give you babies.”

  

  

  

    “Yeah. Yeah. Get out!” He chuckled, brushing me off.

  

  

  

    Furious and broken, I pulled the crumpled report from my purse. “You think you know everything? You don’t.”

  

  

  

    I tore it in two, the pieces fluttering in the air before I shoved them into his face. “See that? That’s the truth you refuse to accept.”

  

  

  

    Grayson sneered, wiping his cheek. “You’re delusional.”

  

  

  

    I spun away, my heart pounding, tears burning my eyes.

  

  

  

    The apartment door slammed shut behind me.

  

  

  

    “Silly girl.” His mother said as I stormed out of the room. “What’s this nonsense now?”

  

  

  

    She bent down, her fingers brushing the torn pieces of paper scattered on the floor.

  

  

  

    Her eyes scanned the shattered report and widened in realization.

  

  

  

    “Grayson.” A slow, satisfied smile curled her lips.

  

  

  

    “What is it, Mom?” He turned to face her.

  

  

  

    “She’s pregnant,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, “she really is pregnant.”

  

  

  

    Sofia narrowed her brows. Her knuckles were turning white as Grayson grabbed the piece of paper from her hand.

  

  

  

    His eyes scanned the paper. His heart was thudding in his chest as he saw the pregnancy confirmation.

  

  

  

    “Go after her.” His mother scowled. “She’s carrying your heir and that baby will change everything.”