Roman Blackwood sat in his office, his fingers drumming against the polished desk. The night went on behind him, like the world didn't give a damn about the chaos swirling in his life.

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

He answered, trying to keep his 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."

His brows drew tight. "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."

Roman's jaw clenched as he 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. His 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."

Roman sank back into his chair, muscles coiled like steel. "I will be in touch. This won't be left unchecked."

He ended the call and stared out the glass walls surrounding him.

A storm churned inside him-anger, disbelief, frustration. This wasn't how it was supposed to go down.

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

He had built everything on his own, with no reliance on his father's money or name. He had the Blackwood name now-a name he made for himself. That was what mattered.

And yet here he was, dragged into their games against his will.

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

Roman shook his 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?" Davin asked.

"No," Roman 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, though disappointment flickered across his face. Roman stood, grabbing his coat jacket.

"Where are you going, sir?" Davin asked.

"The hospital. I have to sort this shit out," Roman replied. "And you're coming with me."

Before he could step out, his phone buzzed in his pocket again.

He glanced at the screen, a sigh already burning his chest.

"Mom," he muttered, bracing himself.

"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.

Roman's eyes narrowed. The competition was real. Ruthless. And he didn't give a damn. But his mother? He 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 he could say a word.

Roman turned to Davin, his voice low and hard. "Bring me that woman. Immediately."

**********

Tessa didn't remember walking.

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

The night air stung her skin, every step sending sharp pain up her ribs. Her face throbbed. Her lip was split. Her cheek was swelling. She didn't have to see a mirror to know she looked as bad as she felt.

Somewhere between the gates and the street, she called Gina. Gina didn't ask questions, just told her to get to her place.

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

"Oh my God, Tessa!" Gina grabbed her, guiding her inside. "What the hell happened?"

"Grayson-" Tessa choked on something that felt like her own blood. "Grayson found out it wasn't his baby."

"And he did this to you?" Gina snapped. "Oh hell no." She headed toward the door.

"No, Gina, stop!" Tessa yelled after her.

"What do you mean stop?" Gina shot back. "That asshole can't hurt you like this and get away with it."

"I don't want to talk about it," Tessa said, her voice breaking. She dropped onto the couch, pressing a trembling hand to her stomach. "Just stay with me. For a second."

Gina looked at her like she was weighing options, then her shoulders dropped.

"Fine." She didn't push, just fetched an ice pack and pressed it gently to Tessa's face. They sat in silence, the only sound her uneven breathing.

Then her phone rang. It was the hospital-again.

She hesitated, dread curling in her gut, but 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."

Tessa's chest tightened. "Oh, okay?"

"We've confirmed the identity of the sperm donor. He goes by the name of Roman Blackwood."

The name hit her like a slap. She'd heard it before-whispers, news articles, the kind of man whose name carried weight and danger.

She forced her voice steady. "Okay, why are you telling me this now?"

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

Her 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 her child wanted to see her.

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

**********

The next morning, Tessa sat in the quiet lobby of Blackwood Hotel, her heart hammering so loud she was sure he could hear it.

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

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

He looked cold-like a man used to control and getting what he wanted without question.

"Ms. Quinn," he said, his voice calm but sharp-edged. "I'm Roman Blackwood. CEO of Blackwood Hotels. Thank you for coming."

She swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. "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."

She sat down slowly. "I'm... I'm not sure I want to keep this baby," she admitted, panic creeping into her voice. "I've thought about terminating it. I just can't keep it."

His expression tightened, like she had 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 her. "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."

The walls closed in, dread tightening her chest. "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."

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

"Excuse me," she murmured, answering.

"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."

Her stomach dropped. "How much for his operation?"

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

Seventy thousand. Her throat tightened.

"Okay, I'll try to get it as fast as I can." She hung up before the tears could spill.

Her hands trembled as she dialled another number.

"Hey Daniel, it's me," she whispered. "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.

She tried again. And again. Silence each time.

The truth hit her like a punch to the gut-she was alone.

She walked back to the table slowly and sank into the cold chair. Roman sat across from her, waiting.

Her voice cracked as she spoke. "Fine. I'll do what you want. But I want ten million dollars. That's what it's going to take."

He smiled faintly, then shook his head as if disappointed.

"Fine." He slid the contract across the table.

Tessa stared down at the contract, the paper heavy in her hands. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the pen.

Her father's face flashed in her mind-weak, pale, fighting for every breath.

She signed slowly.

Roman's eyes flicked to her signature, then back to her. "When the baby is born, I take it. You get your money. We never see each other again."

The finality in his tone hollowed her out.

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

She nodded, her fingers numb.

"Take care, Tessa."

Roman stood, buttoned his coat, and walked out like he had just closed a business deal-leaving her with the paper, the pen, and the weight of a choice she couldn't undo.

Tessa sat there long after he was gone, the silence pressing in on her.

Her hand drifted to her stomach.

She shivered. What the hell just happened? And did she just sign her baby away to a stranger?

Tessa pushed open the glass doors of the hotel, her hands trembling as she walked down the marble stairs. When she looked up, Roman was staring at her like he'd just made a deal he regretted.

She had signed the contract. She had gotten more compensation than she had ever imagined. And when the time came, he would take the baby. This was supposed to be good, she told herself.

"Tessa," Roman called out. "I'll be leaving now."

One of his bodyguards opened the car door for him. He slid in, adjusting his dark glasses.

Then his eyes narrowed, a flicker of realization crossing his face. "What happened to your lips?" he asked darkly.

"What do you mean?" Tessa tried to sound confused.

"Your lips are bruised," he said, reaching up to tilt her face so he could inspect her. "What happened?"

Her fingers brushed over her lips, and the sting burned into her flesh where Grayson had hit her.

"It's nothing," she said quickly. "I fell, that's all."

He looked at her like he knew she was lying but didn't want to press.

"You must be more careful now that you're carrying my child, Miss Quinn."

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood," she said softly.

He nodded once, tapped her shoulder, and then his car drove off without another word.

Tessa turned to leave and froze.

Across the street, a figure stood beside a black sedan, the sunlight catching on his face just enough for her stomach to drop.

Grayson.

She didn't know how long he had been there or what he had seen, but the way he was standing-rigid, his jaw set-made her skin crawl. His arms hung at his sides, his fists clenched like he was holding himself back from breaking something. Or someone.

He started walking toward her, each step slow but deliberate, like someone chasing after its prey.

"Grayson?" Her voice came out thin and trembling. "What are you doing here?"

"Really? What am I doing here?" He folded his arms across his chest. "The real question is what's a cheap thing like you doing coming out of a hotel you can't afford?"

She scoffed, already tired. "You know what, Grayson? That's enough. Why are you following me?"

"Following you?" His laugh was low and sharp. "Please. I'm here to see the manager of this damn hotel, who just happens to be my-"

"Just stop!" she cut him off before he could finish. "You and I are over. You made that clear when you made me choke on my own blood. Now leave me the hell alone."

His eyes narrowed. "Who was that?"

"What?"

"The man touching your face like you meant something to him." He stepped closer, his gaze hardening. "Who was he?"

"That's none of your business." She turned to walk away, but his hand shot out, clamping around her arm.

"Stop!" she screamed. "Let me go."

"Answer me. Who was he?"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she yanked, trying to break free, but his grip only dug in harder. "Let me go now."

His jaw flexed, his eyes dark with something ugly. "That's the father, huh? So that's the man you've been spreading your legs for? Is this the hotel where you screamed his name in bed?"

She tried to pull away, but his fingers were like iron around her arm. His voice dropped to a low, venomous threat. "I told you, if I ever saw you again, I'd make your life hell."

Before she could react, he dragged her toward his car. Her feet scraped against the pavement, her protests useless against his strength. He shoved her inside like she weighed nothing.

"Grayson, stop!" she clawed at the door handle, but it was already locked. "Open the damn door."

His mind was set, his eyes hard as stone. "You think I'm just gonna let you get away with everything? Not when you look like that."

"Like what?" she snapped, her voice shaking despite her best efforts.

"Pregnant. Stupid. And lying through your damn teeth."

He slammed his door shut and started the engine. Tessa's stomach twisted. "Where are you taking me?"

"To teach you a lesson," he bit out. "One you'll never forget."

"What kind of sick idea do you have now?" she blurted.

He didn't answer, he just kept his eyes on the road, one hand loose on the wheel, the other tapping impatiently against his thigh.

The hospital came into view, and her pulse spiked. "Why are we here?"

He didn't even look at her as he pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine. "Get out. Let's go pay daddy a visit."

She hesitated for half a second before he yanked her out, his grip bruising her arm as he dragged her inside. Every step toward her father's room felt like walking into a nightmare.

The moment they reached the bed, Grayson ripped the covers off her father.

"This is the man who raised you? Pathetic."

Her father's eyes fluttered open, confusion written all over his face. "Tessa, what's going on?"

"I'll tell you what's going on. Your daughter is a filthy bitch, and she's gonna pay for it."

Then Grayson's fist came down, connecting with her father's jaw.

"Grayson, stop!" Tessa screamed, shoving at him. He turned, slammed her into the wall. Pain shot through her shoulder.

"You think you can humiliate me?" he snarled, kicking over the tray table, sending food and metal clattering to the floor.

Her father groaned, clutching his face. Tessa lunged toward him, but Grayson shoved her back again before landing another punch. Blood streamed from her father's nose.

"Please, stop! You're upset with me-leave my dad out of this!" she begged.

"Shut up!" he barked. "Shut the fuck up, Tessa!"

She knelt beside her father, helping him sit up, but Grayson knocked him down again.

Grayson wasn't going to stop and Tessa didn't know what to do.

Her hands shook as she reached for her phone, Roman's number flashing in her mind. She pressed call, her heart racing, as Grayson took another step toward her father.

Roman's car rolled to a stop in front of the Blackwood mansion. He barely stepped through the doors before his mother's voice cut through the air like a blade.

"So you remember you have a home? We rarely see you around anymore, Roman."

Salima Blackwood-his mother-stood at the entrance like she had been waiting for this moment.

He dropped his keys on the marble counter, unbothered. "Last I checked, I'm running a billion-dollar hotel."

She crossed her arms, her silk robe clinging to her like she had stepped straight out of a magazine cover. The years hadn't dulled her beauty or her ability to make him feel ten years old again.

"You've been dodging my calls. Again," she snapped.

"That's because I'm busy, Mom. And I always know what you want to say." He gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Busy burying yourself in work or women?" she raised a brow.

He smirked. "Why not both?"

Her sharp inhale told him he had hit a nerve. She hated when he played the unbothered devil.

"Then, if that's the case, one of those women should've given me what I want by now."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He walked over to the minibar and poured himself a glass of bourbon.

"Mother, you make it hard to give you an heir when we both know that child would be nothing more than a ticket to an empire I don't want."

She squinted at him. "One day, Roman, that mouth of yours will cost you something you can't buy back."

He leaned on the counter, meeting her eyes. "And one day, Mother, you'll accept that I'm not the boy you raised. I'm the man keeping our family untouchable."

They stared each other down. Same eyes. Same stubbornness.

And then-"You know, I heard that Grayson's girlfriend got pregnant."

"Oh, did she now?" he chuckled. "Then that's good news for him. It means you can finally leave me alone."

"The child isn't his," she blurted.

He coughed, something between a laugh and shock. "Oh wow. That must suck. Whose is it?"

"No one knows yet. Not even Grayson." She shook her head.

"Shit," he muttered.

"Roman..." she walked over to the bar. "You need to take this seriously. Not just for yourself but for me. I need this for my claim on that family. You know how they treat us. How they treat me like I don't belong."

His jaw tightened. He knew exactly how she felt. His mother was the mistress of his father-Bernard Thorne-and the only woman who had ever managed to keep the man on a leash.

She stood across from him now, her arms folded, her eyes glassy.

"I want a grandchild before I get any older," she said, breaking the silence with that unapologetic tone. "Can't you see the wrinkles on my forehead?"

His mouth twitched into a smirk. "Don't worry, Mom. You're not getting old. You don't look a day over sixteen."

She arched a brow. "Be serious, Roman."

"I am serious." He leaned back, swirling the liquor in his glass. "And you don't need to worry. You'll get your grandchild soon."

Her eyes sharpened. "Really?"

"Yeah."

"Well then," she said, leaning forward slightly, "when do I get to meet the girl?"

His smirk deepened. "Soon. Very soon."

Before she could press further, his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen, and the smirk faded into something colder. Tessa?

"Not even twenty-four hours," he muttered. "And she's already bothering me."

Without a second thought, he declined the call and slid the phone face down.

"Now, Mom... let's talk baby names."

Tessa's heart dropped. Did Roman hang up on her, or was it a mistake?

She called again, this time silently praying.

Grayson's head snapped toward her.

"What are you doing?" he said, taking slow steps forward.

"Stay away from me!" she yelled. "And leave my dad alone."

Grayson froze, his eyes narrowing as they caught the glow of her phone screen. In two strides, he was in front of her, ripping the phone from her grasp and hurling it across the room.

"If that's your lover," he growled, his voice low and deadly, "tell him he's next."

Her breath hitched. "You're insane."

A slow, dangerous smile tugged at his lips. His hands slowly wrapped around her neck.

He leaned closer, his breath hot on her cheeks.

"And you, Tessa... you're finished."

Grayson's hand tightened around Tessa's neck. Her fingers clawed at his wrists, nails digging into his skin, but he still didn't let go.

Her eyes burned, spilling tears she couldn't stop.

"You're going to pay, Tessa," he hissed, his voice low and venomous. "You and that bastard in your belly."

"Get your hands off her!" her father barked, swinging at him.

Grayson barely flinched. He shoved her father back onto the bed so hard the rails rattled.

"Somebody-" her father's voice cracked, raw and desperate. "Somebody help! Please! Help us!"

The shout tore through the hospital walls. A door down the hall slammed open. Footsteps pounded.

Grayson's hands dropped away like he'd been caught at a crime scene.

The door swung open and two nurses rushed in-one shoving between Grayson and Tessa, the other grabbing his arm.

"Sir, you need to leave-now!"

"I'm not done with her!" Grayson roared, struggling against their hold as more staff appeared.

His voice rose into something wild and unhinged. "You hear me, Tessa? You think you can hide from me? Never!"

Tessa's knees buckled, and she caught the side of the bed for balance, the ghost of his grip still burning her throat.

Security followed, taller and broader, pinning his arms back.

"You think this is over, Tessa?" he shouted. "I'm not done with you. Just wait and see. Wait and see."

He struggled against their hold, shouting over the chaos.

"I'm not done with you, you hear me!"

Tessa flinched. Heat crawled up her throat, her pulse thundering so loud she couldn't hear the rest of his threats.

They dragged him toward the hallway, his curses echoing off the white walls until they were swallowed by distance.

She ran to her father. "Dad, are you okay?" she asked, helping him get onto the bed.

His gaze snapped to hers, chest heaving.

"Tessa... what's going on? What was Grayson talking about?"

**********

Roman sat in his dimly lit office, nursing another glass of wine.

He wasn't the kind of man to second-guess himself, but Tessa's calls gnawed at him.

He had told her not to bother him unless it concerned the baby.

Yet she had called. Twice.

He'd let the first call ring out. Declined the second. Now, staring at the phone on his desk, he wondered if he'd been too quick to shut her out.

With a quiet curse, he grabbed it and hit redial.

But it went straight to voicemail.

He tried again-same thing.

A sharp unease settled in his gut.

What if something had happened?

Checking the call location, he saw it had come from a hospital. His brows drew together.

Why the hell was she in a hospital? What was going on?

He didn't bother with another drink. He was already on his feet, grabbing his keys.

Fifteen minutes later, he was walking through the glass doors of the hospital, scanning for anyone who could answer him.

A young nurse at the desk looked up and froze.

"Tessa Quinn," Roman said without wasting time. "She was here earlier."

The nurse hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, she came in with her boyfriend. Her father is admitted here."

His brow arched in shock.

So he was right-Tessa was just a gold digger looking for a way out with her pathetic boyfriend.

"Are you sure?" Roman pressed. "Her boyfriend?"

"Yes, they've been here together too many times." The nurse nodded. "There was... an altercation earlier, but it's been handled."

Altercation.

The word hit him like a slow punch.

His mind flashed back to the bruises on her lip, the way she'd lied without hesitation when he'd asked what happened.

"Where is she now, what's her address?" Roman demanded, adjusting the collar of his coat.

"I'm sorry, sir. Hospital policy."

He leaned forward, voice dropping. "Do you know who I am? I own half this building, and your boss is a personal friend. Now, before you make me call him, answer the damn question."

Her face turned pale.

"She gave us a temporary residence the last time she checked in, so I'm not sure-"

"Just give it to me!" Roman snapped, already running out of patience.

The nurse glanced around, opened the log book, scribbled an address onto a slip of paper, and slid it across the counter.

"Please don't tell anyone I-"

"Relax," he said, pocketing it.

He was already walking out before she finished her sentence.

The night air bit at his skin as he stepped out of the hospital, but his mind wasn't on the cold. It was on that nurse's words.

Boyfriend.

What the hell did she mean by "boyfriend"? And was Tessa playing him?

Sliding into the back seat of his car, he found Davin waiting, one arm draped over the wheel.

"Everything alright, boss?"

"No." Roman shut the door hard enough to make him flinch. "Something's going on."

Davin's eyes flicked to the rearview. "Tessa?"

"Yeah." Roman handed him the folded slip of paper. "A nurse just told me she came here with her boyfriend." His jaw tightened. "And that there was an altercation."

Davin frowned. "Boyfriend? Now that doesn't sound-"

"I don't give a damn what it sounds like," Roman cut him off. "I want to know who the hell he is, and why she's lying to me."

He leaned back, gaze fixed on the narrow streets ahead.

"Drive," he ordered, voice cold. "We're going to pay Miss Quinn a visit."

Davin didn't ask another question. The engine growled to life, and the car shot forward into the dark.

**********

The living room smelled faintly of chamomile tea and ginger, the kind of calm Gina always surrounded herself with. But nothing in Tessa felt calm.

She sat curled on the edge of Gina's couch, a blanket over her legs, pretending to sip the tea she'd been handed.

Her mind was still trapped in those last minutes at the hospital-Grayson's voice, his grip, the venom in his eyes as they dragged him away.

She could still hear him.

I'm not done with you... Or that bastard you call a child.

A shiver rippled through her.

She had lied to her father, saying it was all a misunderstanding, but it wouldn't be long until he found out the truth.

"You're quiet," Gina said softly from the armchair across from her. "What's the matter?"

Tessa's lips parted... but what could she say?

That her ex had just threatened her unborn baby in the middle of a hospital? That she was terrified he'd come back?

She forced a small smile instead. "It's nothing, Gina. Just tired."

Gina pressed her lips together, unconvinced, but before she could ask anything more, a firm knock rattled the front door.

Gina stood, brushing her hands on her jeans, and went to open it.

The moment she did, her voice lifted in caution. "Who are you?"

"I'm Roman Blackwood," the voice said.

Tessa's eyes shot up in surprise. She put the cup of tea down gently, drawing in a deep breath.

"I'm here to see Tessa Quinn," Roman continued, his tone deep and serious.

Gina hesitated, glancing back toward her. "Tessa-"

Her heart skipped.

She rose slowly, every step feeling heavier than the last.

When she reached the door, her eyes locked onto his. He wasn't here to joke.

"Roman, what are you doing here?" she asked.

He tilted his head like the question insulted him, then spoke.

"We need to talk... now."