Chapter 3 - I Hate My Fiancé

“Okay, Tessa, you have to tell me, what’s really going on?” My best friend Gina said as she sat across from me. “You’ve been off since yesterday.”

“It’s... It’s not Grayson’s baby, Gina.” I said, my 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.

I nodded, my 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?”

I shook my 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?” Gina snapped. “You’re just going to keep this secret?”

“I have no choice. I’m scared. But I can’t lose him, not yet.”

A heavy silence fell between us, the air thick with tension. I know Gina didn’t approve of me hiding this from my fiancé but I had no other choice.

Suddenly, the front door opened. The click of heavy boots. Grayson stepped in, his eyes immediately locking onto us.

“What are you two whispering about so late?” He asked.

Gina and I froze. My heart pounded.

Gina stood, giving me a quick look.

“Nothing.” She said. “Just... catching up. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Uhm…Gina.” Grayson stopped her as she moved toward the door. “We’re throwing a party tonight, to celebrate Tessa and the baby. I want you to come.”

Gina looked at me as if searching for approval on my face. “I’m sorry” She said. “I might not be able to make it, but congratulations.”

She turned towards me. I’ll see you tomorrow, Tessa.”

**********

The party was everything I dreaded. A sea of expensive suits, forced smiles, and champagne flowing like water. Grayson’s family and friends buzzed around us, their eyes always flicking to me, some with curiosity, others with judgment.

I tried to smile, to pretend like everything was normal, but the knot in my stomach tightened with every passing second.

Guests came over, offering warm smiles and congratulations. Eleanor approached me first, her usual icy gaze softened into something almost maternal.

“Tessa, darling,” she said, her voice somewhat sweet as she took my hands in hers. “I owe you an apology. My behaviour the other day was... uncalled for. I hope you can forgive an old woman’s mistakes.”

I forced a small smile, nodding. The warmth felt like a fragile mask, but I needed every ounce of goodwill I could get.

Nearby, Grayson’s younger brother stood with his arms crossed, his jaw tight with barely hidden frustration. His eyes flicked to me more than once.

“So she’s the one,” I overheard him say quietly to Eleanor, “the one who’s going to give Grayson the heir.”

Eleanor nodded, her hand resting on his shoulder. “Yes, and we need to make sure everything goes smoothly. This family’s future depends on it.”

The brother’s expression hardened. “It’s unfair, Mother. Grayson gets everything — the company, the respect. And now the heir. What about me? My wife and I were trying for that baby!”

Eleanor’s smile didn’t waver. “Patience, darling. Your time will come. For now, focus on supporting your brother.”

He didn’t say anything, just clenched his jaw like he’d had enough.

“And, I guess we should be grateful that your illegitimate brother isn’t the one to have this privilege,” she continued. “I can’t imagine what would become of us.”

Illegitimate brother? I never knew Grayson had another brother.

I caught Eleanor’s eyes again. Her smile held a glint of something sharp beneath the kindness. It was like she was marking me, testing my limits.

Grayson was the centre of attention, laughing and charming everyone, but I could see him glance at me ever so often, like I was a prize he wasn’t sure he wanted but couldn’t let go.

Then, like a shadow sliding into the light, Sofia appeared.

She floated across the room, a glass in hand, her eyes scanning the crowd until they locked on me. Her smile was slow, deliberate, the kind that promised trouble.

Then she turned toward me, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “What a beautiful party. Shame some people here can’t be quite so honest.”

Grayson’s laughter faltered as he looked from Sofia to me, the tension snapping tight between us.

I felt the room close in, the celebration turning cold and hostile.

Sofia’s voice cut through the silence. “Tell them, Tessa.” She spat. “Tell them the truth about that child you carry in your womb.”

The room fell deathly silent after Sofia’s venomous words. Everyone’s eyes locked on me, some filled with shock, others with confusion. I stood frozen, my heart pounding like a drum in my ears.

What!? How did she know?

“What are you talking about Sofia?” Eleanor snapped. “No one invited you here.”

“I know that Mrs Thorne.” She said sharply. “But I love Grayson too much for him to walk into this blind and that’s why I’m here to tell everyone the truth.”

Grayson’s smile twisted into something darker, his eyes narrowing as he stepped forward.

“The baby Tessa carries in her womb is not for Grayson.” Sofia scowled. “Yes she is pregnant, but it’s not with your child. And here’s the proof.”

She handed him a red folder. His eyes scanned it and then I saw his hand tighten as the papers began to crumble.

“A friend of mine at the hospital told me everything.” She smiled. “Seems like Tessa’s been keeping a secret.” She said deviously.

“Is this true?” Grayson asked, his voice thundering across the room.

“Grayson—“ I said, my voice trembling.

“Is it true?” He barked, this time louder, that the whole room shook.

“Yes!” The words left my mouth, sharp and clear. “Yes, it is.”

“So you’ve been cheating on me, haven’t you?” He spat.

My hands trembled. “No. I swear, it’s not like that.”

He grabbed my arm, his grip bruising my wrist as I squealed in pain.

“Then whose baby are you carrying, huh?” His voice was ice cold.

I shook my head, tears blurring my vision. “I don’t know.”

Sofia laughed, loud and cruel. “You’ve been playing us all for fools.”

Grayson’s jaw clenched so tight I thought it might snap. His eyes burned with a dark fire I’d never seen before.

“You lying slut,” he spat, his voice low and dangerous. “How dare you drag my name through the mud?”

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but no words came out.

His fist slammed into the wall inches from my face, murmurs filling the whole room.

“Tell me the truth!” he growled, stepping closer, his breath hot against my skin. “Who’s the father? Who the fuck have you been sleeping with?”

Tears blurred my vision. “It’s not what you think—”

Before I could finish, his hand shot out, yanking me by the hair so hard I gasped in pain.

He shoved me against the cold wall, his fingers digging into my arm.

Before I could react, his hands moved quicker, slapping me hard across the face.

“AH!” I cried out, my cheeks hot from the slap.

Gasps filled the room, but no one moved to stop him.

“You shameless slut,” he snarled, choking me with his other hand. “Tell me who knocked you up, who has been screwing you?”

Panic exploded in my chest. I gasped, struggling to breathe. Trying to push his hands away from my neck.

“You worthless whore! Who’s the father?” Eleanor’s cold voice sliced through the room, echoing with cruel satisfaction.

I couldn’t form words. My vision blurred, and the choking pressure crushed my lungs.

“Grayson, please,” I begged, my voice breaking, barely more than a whisper.

His eyes burned with fury as he yanked me roughly by the hair, slamming me against the wall again with a force that knocked the breath out of me.

Then came another slap—a sharp, stinging crack across my face that sent stars exploding behind my eyes.

Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. The metallic taste filled my mouth as I tried to steady myself.

“I will make your life a living hell,” he hissed, his eyes wild and merciless.

I looked around. No one was coming to save me.

Grayson’s eyes burned with cruel fire as he shoved me roughly. “Get out. Now.”

I stumbled back, clutching my stomach, tears streaming down my face.

“You’re nothing but a worthless liar and a cheap skank,” he spat. “Get out before I do something I regret.”

He shoved me outside the door with a force that nearly knocked me off my feet.

Cold air hit me as the door slammed shut behind me, cutting me off from everything I knew.

I collapsed onto the pavement outside, my heart pounding, my breath ragged, clutching the life inside me that was the only thing I had left.

Why was this happening to me? What do I do now? And where is the father of this baby?