All Chapters of Claimed By My Ex’s Stepbrother: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Tessa stepped into the well-lit lobby of Blackwood Hotels. Her reflection glistened on the polished marble floor.She could feel the change in the atmosphere—the smell of expensive cologne, the cocktails that cost more than her livelihood, the well-tailored suits and dinner dresses.This wasn’t just a hotel—it was a haven for the rich. All eyes turned to her, murmurs circling the room. Tessa looked down at herself — barefoot, her hair tangled, dressed in a hospital gown.“Stay close to me and it’ll feel less humiliating,” Roman said.Tessa looked up at him, her eyes pale.“Good evening, Mr Blackwood,” the receptionist greeted. “It’s lovely to see you.”Her eyes flicked to Tessa and then back to Roman. “Is everything alright, sir?”“Yes, everything is fine. Thank you. But I’ll need two rooms prepared. Side by side.”“Two cages instead of one,” Tessa whispered under her breath. “How thoughtful.”Roman said nothing. He simply turned back to the receptionist. “Two rooms. Top floor. Privac

Grayson stood jaw tight on the curb of the roadside. He gripped Tessa’s phone so tightly it was a wonder the glass didn’t shatter in his palm. Roman’s name. Again and again. Thread after thread. It was a pity he couldn’t open the phone and look at the nonsense they had been discussing. Grayson’s teeth ground together until his jaw ached. So Roman knew. Roman always knew. And Roman—coward that he was, hadn’t wasted time. He had paid her off and scrubbed the records. Tried to erase every trace of the child that carried Thorne blood. He thinks he can buy her obedience. He thinks he can erase me? He thought to himself. Grayson shoved the phone into his pocket and stalked toward his car. The driver tried to open the back door, but Grayson ripped it open himself, slamming it shut hard enough to rattle the frame. “My office! Now!” By the time he reached his office, the fury had twisted into something darker. In a fit of rage, he threw the phone against the wall, watched it break into

“What do you mean you’re keeping the baby?” Roman asked, his voice groggy.“I want us to have the baby and deal with Grayson together.” Tessa, said, glancing at the floorboard.“Roman, please let me tend you to your hand,” Klara whispered, stepping toward him.Roman turned to Klara, his eyes dark and clouded. “Klara, can you please give us a moment?” “But Roman—““Now….thank you.” He snarled.Klara took in a deep breath, stepping out with her head bowed.“Tessa, what’s this?” “What do you mean?” She looked up at him.“What’s going on, why did you change your mind? You caused a whole scene at the hospital and you made it clear you didn’t want the baby. So what are you saying now?”Tessa took in a deep breath. “Come.” She said, taking Roman’s hand and leading him to a chair.“Where’s your first aid box?” She sniffed.“Tessa—““I need to take a look at your hand. You can’t fight Grayson with a battered hand, can you? Where’s the box?”Roman sighed. “Top cabinet, second drawer on the ri

The drive back home was quiet.Tessa didn’t say a word, she didn’t even look at Roman. Her fingers worked the sleeves of her sweatshirt, tugging at the loose thread until it pulled out. The sound of tyres against the wet road was the only thing that filled the silence between them.When they reached the house, the moon had slowly begun to fade. The air was cool, sharp, and still lingered with the faint scent of alcohol on Roman’s breath.He killed the engine and sat for a second, staring out the windshield. Then he turned to her.“You can’t let today repeat itself.” He said finally.“Please don’t talk to me like a child, I heard you the first time.”Roman sighed. “You should go inside.”She opened the door and stepped out without a word. The gravel crunched beneath her feet as she walked to the front steps.Inside, the house was still — too still. Not a sound except the faint hum of the refrigerator somewhere down the hall. Roman stepped in as well, taking off his coat, before movin

Roman stepped out into the courtyard, his palms slick with sweat.“Davin, pick up the fucking phone,” he muttered under his breath, pacing across the gravel. His pulse hammered beneath his skin. If Grayson was truly behind this—if he had Tessa’s friend—then he needed to send a message Grayson would understand.Finally, the line clicked.“Mr Blackwood,” Davin answered.Roman didn’t waste time. “We have a problem.”“What is it, boss?”“I think Grayson’s struck again. He might have Tessa’s friend.”There was a pause, a shift in Davin’s tone. “You’re sure?”“Not entirely, but I’m not waiting to be. Meet me at the garage. We’ll track her address and move now.”He hung up before Davin could respond and shoved his phone into his pocket.He was halfway across the courtyard when a voice stopped him.“Roman—wait up!”He turned, jaw tight. Tessa stood on the steps, barefoot, hair loose around her face.“I’m coming with you,” she said.He stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “You’ll do no such