Claimed by My Ex's Stepbrother

"Okay, Tessa, you have to tell me, what's really going on?" Her best friend, Gina, said as she sat across from her. "You've been off since yesterday."

"It's... It's not Grayson's baby, Gina," Tessa said, her voice low. "The hospital called. There was a mix-up. Someone else's sperm was used."

Gina's eyes widened. "What? Wait, are you serious?" she asked, shocked.

Tessa nodded, her voice breaking. "I'm serious. I don't know what to do. I'm so confused. And terrified."

"But... what does that mean? What are you going to tell him?"

She shook her head, swallowing hard. "I don't know. I can't tell Grayson. Not like this. He'll think I'm lying. Or I cheated. Or worse... He'll hate me. He's obsessed with having an heir."

Gina leaned back, sighing. "That's a lot to carry, Tessa. But you have to do something about it. What if he finds out for himself?"

"If he finds out, it'll destroy everything. And not just with him... his mother, his family - they won't stop until I'm broken."

"So what?" Gina snapped. "You're just going to keep this secret?"

"I have no choice. I'm scared. But I can't lose him, not yet."

A heavy silence fell between them, the air thick with tension. Tessa knew Gina didn't approve of her hiding this from her fiancé, but she had no other choice.

Suddenly, the front door opened. The click of heavy boots. Grayson stepped in, his eyes immediately locking onto them.

"What are you two whispering about so late?" he asked.

Gina and Tessa froze. Tessa's heart pounded.

Gina stood, giving Tessa a quick look.

"Nothing," she said. "Just... catching up. I'll be leaving now."

"Uhm... Gina." Grayson stopped her as she moved toward the door. "We're throwing a party tonight, to celebrate Tessa and the baby. I want you to come."

Gina looked at Tessa as if searching for approval on her face. "I'm sorry," she said. "I might not be able to make it, but congratulations."

She turned toward Tessa. "I'll see you tomorrow, Tessa."

The party was everything Tessa dreaded. A sea of expensive suits, forced smiles, and champagne flowing like water. Grayson's family and friends buzzed around them, their eyes always flicking to her, some with curiosity, others with judgment.

She tried to smile, to pretend like everything was normal, but the knot in her stomach tightened with every passing second.

Guests came over, offering warm smiles and congratulations. Eleanor approached her first, her usual icy gaze softened into something almost maternal.

"Tessa, darling," she said, her voice somewhat sweet as she took Tessa's hands in hers. "I owe you an apology. My behaviour the other day was... uncalled for. I hope you can forgive an old woman's mistakes."

Tessa forced a small smile, nodding. The warmth felt like a fragile mask, but she needed every ounce of goodwill she could get.

Nearby, Grayson's younger brother stood with his arms crossed, his jaw tight with barely hidden frustration. His eyes flicked to her more than once.

"So she's the one," Tessa overheard him say quietly to Eleanor, "the one who's going to give Grayson the heir."

Eleanor nodded, her hand resting on his shoulder. "Yes, and we need to make sure everything goes smoothly. This family's future depends on it."

The brother's expression hardened. "It's unfair, Mother. Grayson gets everything - the company, the respect. And now the heir. What about me? My wife and I were trying for that baby!"

Eleanor's smile didn't waver. "Patience, darling. Your time will come. For now, focus on supporting your brother."

He didn't say anything, just clenched his jaw like he'd had enough.

"And, I guess we should be grateful that your illegitimate brother isn't the one to have this privilege," she continued. "I can't imagine what would become of us."

Illegitimate brother? Tessa never knew Grayson had another brother.

She caught Eleanor's eyes again. Her smile held a glint of something sharp beneath the kindness. It was like she was marking Tessa, testing her limits.

Grayson was the centre of attention, laughing and charming everyone, but Tessa could see him glance at her ever so often, like she was a prize he wasn't sure he wanted but couldn't let go.

Then, like a shadow sliding into the light, Sofia appeared.

She floated across the room, a glass in hand, her eyes scanning the crowd until they locked on Tessa. Her smile was slow, deliberate, the kind that promised trouble.

Then she turned toward Tessa, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "What a beautiful party. Shame some people here can't be quite so honest."

Tessa turned to Grayson. "Why is she here? I thought you said you were done with her?"

"I am done with her." His laughter faltered as he looked from Sofia to Tessa, the tension snapping tight between them.

"What are you doing Sofia?" He whispered. "You're not supposed to be here."

Tessa felt the room close in, the celebration turning cold and hostile.

Sofia's voice cut through the silence, ignoring Grayson. "Tell them, Tessa." She spat. "Tell them the truth about that child you carry in your womb."

The room fell deathly silent after Sofia's venomous words. Everyone's eyes locked on Tessa, some filled with shock, others with confusion. She stood frozen, her heart pounding like a drum in her ears.

What!? How did she know?

"What are you talking about, Sofia?" Eleanor snapped. "No one invited you here."

"I know that, Mrs Thorne," Sofia said sharply. "But I love Grayson too much for him to walk into this blind and that's why I'm here to tell everyone the truth."

Grayson's smile twisted into something darker, his eyes narrowing as he stepped forward.

"The baby Tessa carries in her womb is not for Grayson," Sofia scowled. "Yes she is pregnant, but it's not with your child. And here's the proof."

She handed him a red folder. His eyes scanned it and then Tessa saw his hand tighten as the papers began to crumble.

"Where'd you get this?" Grayson asked.

"Let's just say I called in a favour at the hospital," Sofia smiled, voice dripping with satisfaction. "Seems like Tessa's been keeping quite the secret."

Tessa froze, the room tilting as the weight of it crashed over her-her most private medical history, the IVF struggles, the mix-up, all exposed like cheap gossip.

Her voice came out small, cracked, barely above a whisper. "Isn't that illegal? You had no right."

Sofia laughed, sharp and cruel. "Oh, honey! money talks. The truth is out now. I'll deal with the consequences later - but I don't think Grayson would want to sue me once he finds out the full truth. And last I checked, you don't have a penny to your name to even try."

"Is this true?" Grayson asked, his voice thundering across the room as he shut the file.

"Grayson-" Tessa said, her voice trembling.

"Is it true?" he barked, louder this time, so the whole room shook.

"Yes!" The words left Tessa's mouth, sharp and clear. "Yes, it is."

"So you've been cheating on me, haven't you?" He spat.

Her hands trembled. "No. I swear, it's not like that."

He grabbed her arm, his grip bruising her wrist as she squealed in pain.

"Then whose baby are you carrying, huh?" His voice was ice cold.

Tessa shook her head, tears blurring her vision. "I don't know."

Sofia laughed, loud and cruel. "You've been playing us all for fools."

Grayson's jaw clenched so tight she thought it might snap. His eyes burned with a dark fire she'd never seen before.

"You lying slut," he spat, his voice low and dangerous. "How dare you drag my name through the mud?"

Tessa opened her mouth to defend herself, but no words came out.

His fist slammed into the wall inches from her face, murmurs filling the whole room.

"Tell me the truth!" he growled, stepping closer, his breath hot against her skin. "Who's the father? Who the fuck have you been sleeping with?"

Tears blurred her vision. "It's not what you think-"

Before she could finish, his hand shot out, yanking her by the hair so hard she gasped in pain.

He shoved her against the cold wall, his fingers digging into her arm.

Before she could react, his hands moved quicker, slapping her hard across the face.

"AH!" she cried out, her cheeks hot from the slap.

Gasps filled the room, but no one moved to stop him.

"You shameless slut," he snarled, choking her with his other hand. "Tell me who knocked you up, who has been screwing you?"

Panic exploded in her chest. She gasped, struggling to breathe, trying to push his hands away from her neck.

"You worthless whore! Who's the father?" Eleanor's cold voice sliced through the room, echoing with cruel satisfaction.

Tessa couldn't form words. Her vision blurred, and the choking pressure crushed her lungs.

"Grayson, please," she begged, her voice breaking, barely more than a whisper.

His eyes burned with fury as he yanked her roughly by the hair, slamming her against the wall again with a force that knocked the breath out of her.

Then came another slap-a sharp, stinging crack across her face that sent stars exploding behind her eyes.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. The metallic taste filled her mouth as she tried to steady herself.

"I will make your life a living hell," he hissed, his eyes wild and merciless.

She looked around. No one was coming to save her.

Grayson's eyes burned with cruel fire as he shoved her roughly. "Get out. Now."

She stumbled back, clutching her stomach, tears streaming down her face.

"You're nothing but a worthless liar and a cheap skank," he spat. "Get out before I do something I regret."

He shoved her outside the door with a force that nearly knocked her off her feet.

Cold air hit her as the door slammed shut behind her, cutting her off from everything she knew.

She collapsed onto the pavement outside, her heart pounding, her breath ragged, clutching the life inside her that was the only thing she had left.

Why was this happening to her? What would she do now? And where was the father of this baby?