Claimed by My Ex's Stepbrother

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?