Chapter 4 - The Contract

Roman’s POV

I sat in my office, fingers drumming against the polished desk. The day went by behind me, like the world didn’t give a damn about the chaos swirling in my life.

My phone rang, breaking the silence. Caller ID flashed: Saint Mercy Hospital.

I answered, trying to keep my temper in check. “Roman Blackwood.”

“Mr. Blackwood, this is Nurse Fletcher from Saint Mercy Hospital. I’m calling with an urgent matter regarding your sperm sample.”

I frowned. “Go on.”

“There was an error during a recent insemination procedure. Your sperm was mistakenly used on a patient named Tessa Quinn, without your authorisation.”

My jaw tightened as I sat straight. “What kind of fucking mistake is that?”

“I’m terribly sorry, sir. It was a mix-up in the storage lab. We’re investigating how this happened, but the procedure was carried out, and the patient is now pregnant.”

The room suddenly felt too small, suffocating. My voice dropped low, dangerous.

“We realise this is a serious breach and are prepared to cooperate fully with any legal action you wish to take.”

I sank back into my chair, muscles coiled like steel. “I will be in touch. This won’t be left unchecked.”

I ended the call and stared out the glass walls surrounding me.

A storm churned inside me, anger, disbelief, frustration. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go down.

I never wanted anything to do with that damn heir race. The Thornes and their empire? They meant nothing to me.

I built everything on my own, no reliance on my father’s money or name. Now, I have the Blackwood name — a name I made for myself. That’s what matters.

And yet here I am, dragged into their games against my will.

Davin, my PA, appeared at the door, hesitant. “Sir, you own shares in that hospital. How could they let something like this happen?”

I shook my head, already feeling the itch to control the situation. “I don’t know. But I’m not letting it slide.”

“Boss, should I look into this Tessa Quinn?” he asked.

“No,” I said, cold as ice. “Whoever she is, she’s probably after a payout. And no one’s getting a dollar out of me.”

Davin nodded. Clearly disappointed by my response. I stood, grabbing my coat jacket.

“Where are you going, sir?” He asked.

“The hospital. I have to sort this shit out.” I said. “And you’re coming with me.”

Before I could step out, my phone buzzed in my pocket again.

I glanced at the screen, a sigh already burning my chest.

“Mom,” I muttered, bracing myself.

“Roman, what’s going on?” Her voice snapped over the line.

“Mom, I know why you’re calling and—”

“I don’t want excuses. I hear your stepbrother Grayson and his mother are racing to produce an heir,” she said, venom dripping from every word.

My eyes narrowed. The competition was real. Ruthless. And I didn’t give a damn. But my mother? I couldn’t fail her.

“Roman, you need to take this seriously. I won’t be embarrassed by that family. Show me you belong—and bring me a grandchild. Now.”

She hung up before I could say a word.

I turned to Davin, my voice low and hard. “Bring me that woman. Immediately.”

**********

Tessa’s POV

I don’t remember walking.

One minute I was on the cold marble floor, the taste of blood thick in my mouth, and the next I was stumbling down the driveway, clutching my coat tighter around me though it did nothing to stop the shaking.

The night air stung my skin, every step sending sharp pain up my ribs. My face throbbed. My lip was split. My cheek was swelling. I didn’t have to see a mirror to know I looked as bad as I felt.

Somewhere between the gates and the street, I called Gina. She didn’t ask questions, just told me to get to her place.

By the time I made it up the narrow stairs to her apartment, my legs nearly gave out. Gina’s eyes went wide when she saw me.

“Oh my God, Tessa!” She grabbed me, guiding me inside. “What the hell happened?”

“Grayson—“ I choked on something that felt like my own blood. “Grayson found out it wasn’t his baby.”

“And he did this to you?” She snapped. “Oh hell no.” She said, heading toward the door.

“No, Gina stop!” I yelled after her.

“What do you mean stop?” she snapped. “That asshole can’t hurt you like this and get away with it.”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I said, my voice breaking. I dropped onto her couch, pressing a trembling hand to my stomach. “Just stay with me. For a second.”

She looked at me like she was deciding what to do. Then her shoulders dropped.

“Fine.” She didn’t push, she fetched an ice pack and pressed it gently to my face. We sat in silence, the only sound heard was my uneven breathing.

Then my phone ran. It was the hospital— again.

I hesitated, dread curling in my gut. But I answered anyway.

“Hello?”

“Ms. Quinn?” A woman’s voice came in, professional but softer than before. “This is Nurse Fletcher from Saint Mercy Hospital. I’m calling with an update regarding the matter we discussed earlier.”

My chest tightened. “Oh, okay?”

“We’ve confirmed the identity of the sperm donor. He goes by the name of Roman Blackwood.”

The name hit me like a slap. I’d heard it before—whispers, news articles, the kind of man whose name carried weight and danger.

I forced my voice steady. “Okay, why are you telling me this now?”

There was a pause. “Mr. Blackwood has requested to see you. In person.”

I stared at the wall, the ice pack slipping from my hand.

“Why?”

“I can’t say, but… he’s made it clear this is urgent.”

My pulse quickened—not from the bruises this time, but from something colder.

After everything tonight, after Grayson’s rage, after being thrown out like trash… now the real father of my child wanted to see me.

And I had no idea if that was a good thing—or the beginning of something even worse.

**********

Tessa’s POV

I sat in the quiet lobby of Blackwood Hotel, my heart hammered so loud I was sure he could hear it.

Who was this Roman Blackwood? The name sounded like a threat, but I had no choice but to face him.

I looked up and my breath caught. A tall, well-built man strode in. His dark hair was falling across his face and his shirt was unbuttoned at the collar.

I couldn’t help but notice how cold he looked—like a man used to control and getting what he wants without question.

“Ms. Quinn,” he said, his voice calm but carrying a sharp edge. “I’m Roman Blackwood.”

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice. “Oh okay. I don’t even know how this happened. How everything got….messed up.”

His gaze didn’t waver. “Mistakes happen. But what matters now is what comes next. Please sit.”

I sat down slowly. “I’m... I’m not sure I want to keep this baby,” I said, panic creeping into my voice. “I’ve thought about terminating it. I just can’t keep it.”

His expression tightened, like I’d just said something unforgivable.

“No,” he said flatly. “You’ll keep the baby. You’ll carry it, and you’ll give me a healthy child.”

The finality in his tone shocked me. “What? You can’t just—”

“I’ve drawn up a contract,” he interrupted. “You’ll be paid. Plenty of money. But you don’t get to back out. You don’t get to try anything stupid. Or else you won’t be paid.”

I felt the walls closing in, and my chest tightened with dread. “This isn’t fair. You can’t make me do this.”

Roman leaned closer, his voice low and cold. “Sign the contract. Get the money. Keep the baby. Or walk away with nothing.”

I wanted to fight. To tell him to shove his contract up his ass. But then my phone buzzed.

“Excuse me,” I said, pressing my phone to my ear.

“Ms. Quinn, this is Dr. Moreno. I’m afraid your father’s condition has worsened. Without immediate payment, we’ll have no choice but to discharge him.”

I closed my eyes, the weight of those words crashing down. “How much for his operation?”

“Seventy thousand dollars,” the doctor said gently. “We need it by tomorrow morning.”

Seventy thousand. I swallowed hard.

“Okay, I’ll try to get it as fast as I can.” And then, I hung up before the tears could come.

I fumbled for my phone, dialling a number I never thought I’d call again.

“Hey Daniel, it’s me,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I need help, Dad’s in the hospital. They’re going to discharge him if I don’t pay seventy thousand by tomorrow. Can you—?”

The line clicked dead. Did he hand up on me?.

I tried again. And again. But each time, silence.

The truth hit me like a punch to the gut—I was alone.

I walked back to the table slowly and sank into the cold chair. I looked up at Roman, sitting across from me, waiting.

My voice cracked as I spoke. “Fine. I’ll do what you want. But I want ten million dollars. That’s what it’s going to take.”

He smiled, then shook his head as if disappointed.

“Fine.” He slid the contract across the table.

I stared down at the contract, the paper suddenly feeling heavy in my hands. My fingers trembled as I reached for the pen.

My father’s face flashed in my mind—weak, pale, fighting for every breath.

I signed it slowly.

Roman’s eyes flicked down at my signature, then back to me. “When the baby is born, I take it. You get your money. We never see each other again.”

The finality in his tone hollowed me out.

“Here’s your advance.” He slid a sleek black card toward me. “My number’s on the back. Don’t call me unless it’s urgent or about the baby.”

I nodded, my fingers numb.

“Take care, Tessa.”

He stood, buttoned his coat, and walked out like he’d just closed a business deal—leaving me with the paper, the pen, and the weight of a choice I couldn’t undo.

I sat there long after he was gone, the silence pressing in on me.

My hand drifted to my stomach.

I shivered. What the hell just happened? And did I just sign my baby away to a stranger?