All Chapters of His Only Heir Is Mine: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Knock. Knock. Knock.My supervisor tapped my desk. "Joanna, we're short tonight. Go work the banquet. Triple pay."I hesitated.It was Bryson's mom's sixtieth birthday. Big deal, big crowd. Too many chances to run into people I didn't want to see. And leaving Kyle home alone at night? Yeah, no."Ms. Kurt, I need to stay with my kid tonight—"Her patience snapped. "Leave him with your parents. A neighbor. Worst case, the staff lounge. You can't handle something this basic?"A snicker cut in.Of course it was Vivian Finch, my co-worker.She leaned back, smug as ever. "Triple pay? I'd kill for that. Ms. Kurt, you're so thoughtful—really taking care of Joanna." A pause, then sweet as poison, "Single mom and all. Kid with no known dad. Must be expensive."Vivian's words stung—but they weren't wrong.It was getting cold, and Kyle was growing like crazy. He needed a real coat.And I'd just be working outside the main hall. In and out. No big deal.I nodded. "Thank you, Ms. Kurt. I

Chapter 2

I let out a quiet sigh.So much for slipping out unnoticed.I walked over anyway. "Hi, Ms. Connell."Talia stepped closer, eyes dragging over my cheap uniform. A smile spread—fake and smug. "It really is you. Working as a server now? And not even inside?" She clicked her tongue. "Must be rough."She grabbed my hand, already pulling me toward the inner hall, all sweet like she cared."Come on, I'll get you inside. Way easier. You might even run into Dad and Mom!"After two steps, she paused—like she'd just remembered Vivian and the others.Her face flipped cold."You're all fired. Get out. Now." A sharp look. "Filthy trash."Their legs almost gave out. No one dared speak, let alone beg.They couldn't touch Talia, so their glares stabbed into my back instead.Typical Talia.The second we stepped into the inner hall, she put on that fake 'oops' face. "Joanna, I just remembered—we don't need extra staff in here." A small smile. "Restrooms and trash still need cleaning, though.

Chapter 3

Talia froze, stammering, nothing coming out.She shot a desperate look at Margot.Margot rushed over, reaching for my arm—I slipped back just enough. Her hand hung there, awkward.Then she forced a scolding tone. "Oh, Joanna, you silly girl. You left so suddenly back then. We've been holding onto that money for you—we just never had the chance to give it to you. This is all a misunderstanding."Darren nodded beside her, rubbing his hands. "Yes, yes, we always remembered."The lie was... bad. Like, painfully obvious.Bryson's face went cold. His eyes locked on Talia. "Thirty million. Not a cent less. Transfer it to Joanna by noon tomorrow." A beat. "Or you won't be Mrs. Harding anymore."Talia clearly didn't see that coming—especially not here.She shot me a look, pure venom, then forced a smile. "Bryson, that's on me. Don't worry, I'll handle it tomorrow."I let out a quiet breath. I wasn't getting pulled back into their mess.All I wanted was a quiet life with Kyle."You ca

Chapter 4

Bryson didn't believe me.Of course he didn't.The lead officer stepped forward, voice firm. "Ma'am, you're suspected of theft involving a high-value item. You'll need to come with us for further investigation."Click.Cold cuffs snapped around my wrists.I looked at Bryson.Nothing came out.Old wounds ripped open, that dull ache spreading through my chest, heavy enough to take me down.We grew up together.He once said he'd protect me. Forever.Yeah. Right.Then why does he keep being the one who breaks me?As they led me away, Talia stepped in close. Just enough so only I could hear."Bitch," she whispered, smug as hell. "Did you really think you could beat me?"Just like that, they shoved me into the police car and drove off.***Third-Person POVIn the staff lounge, Vivian and the others shoved their stuff into bags, faces totally wrecked."This is all Joanna's fault. She did it on purpose. She saw people coming and didn't even warn us."The intern scoffed. "Rig

Chapter 5

At Joanna's name, Bryson snapped his head up and locked eyes with Adeline.That was it. No more guessing.Adeline swayed, barely staying on her feet. 'My grandson. A Harding. Bryson's son!'Bryson's arms shook as he held Kyle—shock, relief, regret, all crashing at once.Kyle, meanwhile, had no clue what was going on.He wriggled out of Bryson's arms and stumbled back to Adeline. Then he threw himself at her, hugging her leg tight. His face was red, streaked with tears."Ma'am, please... please save my mommy! She's a good person! Please let her go. Kyle only has Mommy!"Adeline's heart cracked on the spot.She pulled him into her arms, voice thick. "Don't cry, don't cry, my sweet grandson. Grandma's here. No one's touching your mommy. I'll bring her back right now."Then she saw the scrapes on his hands and knees—and yeah, that made it worse."Why are you all just standing there? The child's hurt! Call a doctor, now! Check where my grandson is injured!"She turned sharply to

Chapter 6

Bryson stared at me, voice rough. "All these years... why didn't you tell me?"I held his gaze. Didn't flinch.The past hit fast—his eyes going cold, the way he lit up around Talia, that smile at the engagement banquet with someone else in his arms. Me, crouched in a hospital hallway, test results in hand, numb.I tugged at a smile. It didn't land. My chest still ached."Tell you what? That while you were calling me boring, I was already pregnant with Kyle? That while you chased your 'exciting' life with Talia, I was throwing up day and night, alone?"The words kept coming, and the tears beat them out. "You didn't like me back then. Thought I was dull, holding you back."I figured if I told you, you'd just get annoyed—think I was trapping you. And I was scared... that before he was even born, his own dad would hate him."So I didn't tell you. I just planned to raise him myself."When I finished, Bryson looked pale.He opened his mouth like he had something to say. Nothing came

Chapter 7

I froze. How did he know?He caught my reaction.His lips pressed tight. He looked down at his worn, scuffed sneakers, voice soft."When I was in preschool... whenever this guy showed up on the news, you'd cry. Like, quietly. I didn't get it. I asked my friend Poppy. Her parents are split too. She said when her mom sees her dad, she gets sad and cries."He looked back up at me.Too calm. Too grown."So I figured... the guy on the news was probably my dad."My eyes burned.I buried my face in his shoulder, tears spilling. "I'm sorry, Kyle. This is my fault. I shouldn't have told you you didn't have a dad. I couldn't give you a full family."I held him too tight.He didn't fight it. Just lifted his little hand and awkwardly patted my back, copying me."It's okay, Mommy." He kept patting. "I just want you. If you're happy, I'm happy."I wiped my tears and looked at him. "Kyle, I'm okay. Today... do you want Daddy to take you to school?"Kyle looked up at Bryson, studying him

Chapter 8

"There are only a few days left. Let him finish the semester. When he starts elementary school... we'll transfer him."Bryson nodded, voice low. "Okay. Your call. I'll set up security. Don't worry."After graduation, Kyle and I moved into the place Bryson arranged.He got the message.Not huge, but more than enough. Simple, warm. A kid's room already set up, furniture sized just for Kyle.Kyle looked around, curious—but a little unsure.I held him close. "New adventure. I'm right here."He didn't totally get it, but he leaned in and whispered, "As long as you're here, I'm not scared."On the surface, life stayed calm.I went back to work—and felt the shift instantly.The supervisor who used to boss me around now smiled like she was auditioning, talking careful, even offering me an easier role.Coworkers who used to gossip with Vivian suddenly all smiles, laying it on thick.Bryson Harding—who couldn't have kids—now had a five-year-old son with his ex.And me?Mother of th

Chapter 9

Adeline called. Her tone—careful, almost warm."Joanna, it's Adeline. What happened between you and Bryson... I take responsibility. I know I don't get to act like a loving grandmother now, but I really—"I sighed.I knew exactly why she was doing this. "Madam Adeline, you don't have to. Bryson and I already worked it out. Every Sunday, he'll take Kyle to the Harding estate."I'm not that kind of mom. I won't stop him from seeing his father—or his grandmother. The family that's his... I won't take that away."Adeline got it.When she spoke again, there was regret in her voice. "I was right about you. You've always been levelheaded. Gracious."She paused, testing me. "Joanna, now that Kyle's been acknowledged... I can tell Bryson still cares about you. You share Kyle. That's not something you can cut off. Would you... consider giving it another shot?"Another shot?I held the phone, staring at the gray sky outside.Five years. A love that went wrong. The damage, the changes—et

Chapter 10

Kyle breezed through kindergarten. When the new semester hit, he transferred to a top private elementary school the Hardings set up. He adjusted faster than I expected. Smart, steady—he started thriving.With him on a solid routine, I finally had time again.I quit my old job and picked my sketchbook back up, going back to what I actually loved—jewelry design.I started small. Commission sketches. Studied the craft in my free time. Little by little, my designs turned into real pieces.It wasn't easy, but I was getting better.Two years—long enough.I built a name for myself as an independent jewelry designer.Over those two years, I met Xander—a calm, polished doctor. No Bryson-level money or power. No messy past.He was steady. Focused. Kind in that quiet, healer way, with a sharp, clear mind.We got married.Small wedding. Just a few close friends.Kyle was the ring bearer. Little suit, tossing petals like it mattered, face bright and easy.He held my hand, walking me dow

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