His Only Heir Is Mine

The day Bryson—the Harding heir—chose Talia Connell, the Connells' real daughter, I found out I was pregnant.

For seven months, he went all out planning her dream wedding. Meanwhile, I fought through a brutal delivery and almost bled out bringing Kyle into the world.

Then a breaking alert hit—

[Harding Heir in Late-Night Street Racing Crash: Wife Critically Injured, Bryson Harding Permanently Loses Fertility]

Scared he'd take Kyle from me, I stayed hidden for five years.

Then came Bryson's mom's birthday banquet. I got pulled in as a server. Kyle was waiting in the lounge—until he bolted out and slammed straight into her.

The whole room went dead quiet.

Kyle looked just like Bryson as a kid. No question.

Bryson shoved through the crowd, voice rough. "Kid... who are your parents?"

Kyle froze, then broke down. "Mommy... I can't find Mommy. Her name is Joanna."

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'll go."

"Good. Get changed. Back entrance at six." A sharp look. "Don't be late."

On my way to the locker room, I passed Vivian's desk.

She didn't even try to keep it down. "Who's she fooling? Got pregnant out of wedlock and still acting all superior. Doesn't even know who the dad is. Probably some random hookup—who knows where that kid came from."

Laughter broke out.

One coworker covered her mouth, giggling. The intern next to her ducked her head, snickering.

My eyes burned. I stopped. "Vivian, you're a mom too. Watch your mouth."

Vivian shot up, arms crossed. "Oh, now you care what people say? You don't even know who the father is, but you're out here acting all pure.

"If I were you, I'd fix myself up. You're damaged goods. Maybe some blind guy at the banquet won't mind your little bastard and take him in."

My eyes stung.

She started to go on, but Ms. Kurt cut in. "That's enough, Vivian. Joanna, go get your child. Don't let this delay your work."

I lifted my chin,