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."

Tessa moved to the door slowly, buying herself seconds she didn't have. Roman stood in a dark coat, his presence filling the narrow porch. His eyes swept over her, unreadable, sharp enough to strip her bare.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, keeping her tone flat.

"We need to talk... now."

"Yeah? About what?" She folded her arms. "I thought we agreed that until the baby-"

"I noticed your calls," he blurted out.

She blinked, stunned by his sudden change in tone. "It was a mistake."

"Twice is too much for a mistake."

His gaze dropped to her arm-the one she kept folded against her body.

"What's the problem?" he asked.

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me." His voice cut through the air like steel. He pulled her closer, tugging up her sleeves, his eyes darkening at the bruises.

"Who did this to you?" he demanded.

"It's nothing," she shrugged.

"Would you stop with the damn lies?" he snapped. "Just stop it."

"What do you want, Roman?" she asked, pulling away from him.

He drew in a deep breath. "I paid the hospital a little visit. I know about your sick father... and the altercation with your boyfriend you didn't think was worth mentioning. Now, I'm giving you a chance to tell me what's going on."

Tessa shifted her weight, keeping her eyes on the ground.

"You will look at me when I am talking to you," Roman said sharply.

The command made her spine stiffen. She forced herself to meet his eyes.

"Nothing is going on," she sniffed. "And I appreciate your concern, but it's not your business."

His jaw tightened. "Not my business? You're carrying my child. Or should I start wondering if it's even mine?"

Her breath caught. "How dare you?"

Roman scoffed. "You call me when I ask you not to. You hide things. You let me hear about you from strangers-what the hell am I supposed to think?" he barked.

"I know you don't know me, but the least you can do is trust me," she shot back. "But clearly, that's asking too much."

He took a step forward, closing the distance. "Trust goes both ways, Tessa. You don't want to talk? Fine. But don't expect me to stand by while you-"

"While I what? Keep certain things to myself?" Her voice rose, heat flooding her cheeks. "You don't own me, Roman. And you sure as hell don't get to control me."

"Don't raise your voice when you're talking to me," Roman scolded.

"But you're raising your voice at me!" she shouted back.

For a second, neither of them moved.

"Yes, I did have a boyfriend," she admitted finally. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about that, but it's hard to explain that to you without you thinking I'm a lying whore."

"You're damn right," he said, his voice low and cutting. "Because this isn't something you just drop in my lap and expect me to accept. Not without answers. Not when you're-"

"Screw you, Roman," she cut in.

"Tessa-"

"I'm done with this discussion. Have a good night." She stomped her feet and stepped back into the house, slamming the door.

Her breath was loud and shaky as she stood with her back against the wall.

Gina's brows lifted. "Who was that?"

"My baby's father." Tessa let out a frustrated sigh.

Her eyes widened. "And what did he want?"

"To remind me who he is," Tessa muttered, walking past her without another word.

Roman's POV

Roman's jaw tightened as he watched Tessa step into the house. The bruise on her arm burned into his memory. Whoever had touched her would regret it.

She was carrying what was his. So who the hell would dare lay a finger on her?

And how dare she walk away from him?

He didn't know her well enough yet, but he knew she wasn't weak. She was the kind of woman who'd bite down on her pain before she let anyone see her bleed. That only made him want to rip the truth out of her more.

His boots crunched against the gravel, every step away from her door feeling wrong. His hands itched to go back, pound on it, and make her talk.

But she'd slammed a wall between them tonight.

Fine.

But walls could be broken.

He turned away and yanked open his car door. Sliding into the seat, the slam echoed through the night.

"She's hiding something," he said flatly.

Davin's eyes flicked toward him. "What do you think it is?"

"I don't know," Roman bit out, "but it seems like everything she says is a damn lie."

"So what do you want to do now?"

He didn't hesitate. "Find out everything about her. I don't care how deep you have to dig. Her name, background, who she talks to, and when she breathes. I want to know everything."

Davin gave a short nod. "Consider it done, sir."

"Good." Roman breathed. "Now get me the hell out of this place."

Roman's POV

Morning came and Roman had been pacing for ten damn minutes.

The coffee on the table was untouched, the laptop open but useless. He couldn't focus on a single damn thing because every time his mind cleared, Tessa's face slipped back in. That bruise. That look in her eyes when she lied to him like it cost her nothing.

He hated that it got to him.

She was hiding something, and he wasn't the type to wait around and hope the truth landed on his doorstep.

The door opened and Davin stepped in, a blue file in one hand, a small device in the other.

"I hope you've got something for me," Roman said, his voice irritated by the long wait.

"I've got everything."

"So, what is it? Tell me everything," Roman demanded impatiently.

"Here's what I got," Davin started. "Tessa Quinn. Age twenty-four. College dropout."

Roman raised his brows. Dropout?

"Engaged once," Davin continued. "And, boss... you're gonna want to see this."

Roman took the file, flipping through pages-birth records, addresses, a hospital report.

"Any info on the sperm mix-up?" he asked as he skimmed through the file, but Davin's voice cut in, sharper now.

"Forget the paperwork for a second. Watch this."

He slid the small device into the laptop on the desk, the screen flickering to life. The security footage was grainy and muted. It was a hospital corridor.

Roman saw Tessa. Being dragged by the arm, her face pale. And then, a conflict in a room. A man closing in on her, causing havoc, his jaw tight, yelling words Roman couldn't hear but didn't need to before he understood.

The man turned just in time for the camera to catch his face, and Davin paused the video.

Roman's eyes widened in shock. He sat up straight, his eyes drying out from not blinking.

It looked like-

And just like that, his blood turned to ice. His heart dropped, and his words failed him.

Grayson.

Grayson fucking Thorne.

Roman's breath stopped. He picked up the file, flipping through it with lightning speed until he stopped at the end.

It was him-a picture of him and Tessa wrapped up in each other's arms.

"What the fuck is this?" Roman muttered.

The name in the file was one thing, but seeing him there, on that camera-towering over her, grabbing her-was something else entirely.

He leaned forward, every muscle in his body coiled tight.

"That's Grayson," Roman said to Davin, barely believing his own words. "That's my fucking brother."

His voice dropped, deadly quiet.

"And if this is true, then this is a fucking mess."