Chapter 1"Whoever pops out my great-grandson gets a trillion bucks."
Old Man Vaughn dropped that bomb before kicking it. Told everyone.
Me? Been Mrs. Vaughn three years. No kids.
My bestie? Total angel. Fed me sketchy shit nonstop. Said it'd work.
Then had a boy. Literally in the room next to dying Grandpa.
TIMING.
"Harlow, sweetie, I'm helping YOU. Can't let the Vaughn bloodline die with you."
"And FYI, I'm traditional. Crew took my V-card. He's mine now."
"You? Pack your shit. Or be the help. Pick one."
Threw the DNA test at me. Smug as hell.
I stared at it.
"Biological father-son confirmed."
Everyone counted me out.
Too bad nobody scrolled down:
"Born without sex organs. Gender: unclear."
Oh, bestie. Your "perfect son"? FUCKED. That trillion? BYE BITCH.
---
Papers everywhere. DNA test sheets all over the floor.
Old Man Vaughn's funeral. Everyone's in black.
Everyone except Bexley—shows up in this tight red dress, holding her three-day-old baby.
Grinning like an idiot. Like she's not even at a funeral.
"Found out I was pregnant, moved right into the Vaughn place."
"Don't be mad at Crew, okay? I got the only Vaughn baby. Had to bring him home, right?"
Dead silence.
Everyone just stared at me. Waiting for me to lose it.
But I kept looking at this one tiny line.
Then Bexley's phone went off. Crew's mom Sloane on speaker, freaking out.
"Bex! Is it real? We got a grandson? We actually got a grandson?"
Bexley looked at me with this huge smirk, going on about how perfect her kid was.
Hung up like she just won the lottery.
I looked at her.
"Your kid's not getting shit."
Bexley laughed like I'd lost it.
"Harlow, three years as a Vaughn and you still this dumb?"
"DNA test's right there. Crew's Wyatt's dad, says it right there."
"Will says Wyatt's the only real Vaughn blood."
"Walk away now, I'll let him call you auntie."
Hour later, Sloane ran in without even grabbing a jacket.
Saw the baby's face and lost it.
"Oh my god. Looks exactly like Crew when he was a baby."
Sloane had people block me.
"This baby's precious. Gotta protect him."
Then grabbed Bexley's hand. "Sweetie, you just gave birth. Sit, rest."
"Calling our lawyer now. Getting that money transferred today."
Then looked at me like trash.
"Unlike some people who couldn't have one kid in three years."
"If I were you? I'd pack and leave before we throw you out."
But I just kept staring at that baby.
"Don't call the lawyer. She's not getting anything."
Bexley looked me up and down.
"Harlow, face it. Can't have kids 'cause you're cursed or something. Probably from sleeping around in college, throwing yourself at Crew in those slutty little tops."
"Only a decent woman like me deserves to give the Vaughns a son."
People started whispering. Everyone watching.
This was the richest dead guy in the world's money. Everyone wanted it.
"What the hell? This is a FUNERAL."
Crew's dad Barrett walked over. Saw Bexley and his face totally changed.
"Bex, honey. Lawyer's almost here. We'll tell everyone soon."
"Made you bone broth. Drink."
"You're our hero now. Gotta take care of yourself."
"After we transfer everything, you're going to that spa in Malibu for six months."
Sloane was literally spoon-feeding her.
I watched them playing happy family. Made me sick.
"Dad, Mom—I'm still married to Crew."
"You really think she's getting that money?"
Bexley almost choked on her soup.
Pushed past them, baby in her arms, glaring at me while cooing at him.
"Marriage? The Vaughns don't want some slut who can't have kids."
"Who knows what you were doing coming home at midnight every night. Probably got fucked so much you broke yourself."
"My son's never marrying trash like you."
Sloane helped Bexley sit, then looked at me with this nasty smile.
"This baby's definitely Crew's. Looks exactly like him as a kid."
Bexley's face lit up.
"Harlow, I know you're pissed I had Crew's baby."
"But making up lies? Did being infertile make you crazy?"
More whispers.
"Can't believe Crew married her."
"Thank god Bexley had a son or the Vaughns would've ended."
"Wait, Harlow seems pretty sure though..."
Bexley's eyes got all watery. Grabbed Sloane's arm, playing victim.
"Mom, just look at him. He's Crew's son."
"I know you're all just protecting Crew."
"You want, I'll do another DNA test right now. Prove it."
Looked like she was about to cry.
Sloane's face crumpled.
"Nobody's putting my grandson through that."
"Those eyes, that nose—he's Crew's baby. I know my own son's face."
"Harlow, stop with the games. This grandson? We're keeping him."
Watching Sloane's face twist like that hurt.
She used to be warm to me. Like a real mom.
I'd loved her like family.
Now she looked at me with pure hate. All 'cause of Bexley's bullshit.
Barrett couldn't take it. Waved for security.
"You made her cry. Woman just gave birth."
"Get her out."
I looked around, locked eyes with Barrett and Sloane.
"Think Bexley having a son means she's getting everything?"
"Lawyer shows up, she won't get shit."
Room went dead quiet.
Barrett's face turned red. Slammed his cane down.
"Get her out. Don't wanna see this bitch anymore."
Two guards grabbed my arms.
I yanked free.
"Don't touch me. I'm pregnant."
Pulled out my ultrasound.
Right there: 12 weeks pregnant
Chapter 2
Barrett and Sloane looked at each other. Laughed.
Bexley grabbed the paper, looked at it, then started laughing.
"So? You're three months in. Don't even know if it's a boy."
"How's that compete with my Wyatt?"
"Today you're gonna see what the will says."
Half hour later, lawyer pulled up in his Bentley.
Everyone staring at him.
He walked in, pulled out the will, started reading it out loud.
"The testator, being of sound mind, wishes to transfer all assets to the biological mother of Grayson Crew Vaughn's first son."
Bexley grabbed the will, shoved it in my face.
"Hear that? First son's biological mother."
"Even if you have a son, he'll always be second."
Barrett and Sloane stared at me like they wanted me dead.
"Heard it."
I stared at those words. "First son's biological mother."
Then looked at Bexley.
"When you get nothing, then what?"
Sloane tried to comfort Bexley. Barrett pointed at me.
"You evil bitch. Can't have kids so you're cursing Bexley?"
"Wanna end the Vaughn bloodline? That it?"
"This is Old Man Vaughn's will. Not a game."
Crew's sister Presley came over, voice all sweet.
"Cheating on Crew's one thing, but this is family business. Can't throw tantrums."
"Being jealous doesn't mean you get to act like this."
More whispers.
"Right? Now there's a kid, who knows where Crew's gonna go."
"The Vaughns treated Harlow like family. She's probably been sleeping around."
"Should just sign the papers."
My fists clenched. Knuckles white.
Finally held up my phone, called our doctor.
"Dr. Rivera, bring your equipment to Wilshire Cemetery funeral home. Need you to check Bexley's baby. Everything."
Barrett slapped my phone out of my hand. Screen shattered.
"What exam? My grandson's healthy."
"How evil are you? Cursing a newborn?"
My hand stung where the phone cut it.
"When Dr. Rivera checks him, you'll see."
Barrett glared at me.
"Fine. Let's see what bullshit you got."
"Kid's fine, I'm done with you."
Thirty minutes later, Dr. Rivera rushed in with two assistants.
I stared at the baby in Bexley's arms.
"Full exam. Everything. Don't miss anything."
Sloane grabbed Dr. Rivera's hand.
"Doctor, his heart and lungs are fine, right?"
Dr. Rivera didn't answer. Took the baby. Assistants set up equipment.
Everyone held their breath.
Dr. Rivera took off his stethoscope.
"Baby's heart and lungs are healthy. No issues."
Bexley relaxed.
"See? I went to this wellness retreat in Sedona when I was pregnant. Got these ancient remedies."
"Drank alkaline water, did cleanses for months. Nothing could be wrong."
Sloane let out a breath.
Barrett's eyes bulged. Slapped me.
"Harlow, been good to you for three years. Don't push it."
"My grandson's healthy. Keep cursing him, we won't go easy."
Threw divorce papers at my feet.
"Sign these. Get out."
The slap burned. My ears rang.
But nothing like how cold I felt inside.
"I won't sign. Not unless we do another paternity test."
Sloane exploded.
"Are you insane? Those are Crew's eyes, Crew's nose. Think I don't know my own son?"
Bexley's eyes welled up. Grabbed my shoulders.
"Think I faked the test? Think everyone's disgusting like you?"
"Fine. I'll prove it right now."
She whipped around to Dr. Rivera.
"Want a paternity test? Do it. Right now."
Then looked at me like I was Satan himself.
"After it shows Wyatt's Crew's son—you're getting an abortion, signing those papers, and leaving. Forever."
Barrett and Sloane said nothing.
The slap still stung but my heart hurt worse.
I clenched my fists. Feelings I'd never felt before.
If I backed down now, Crew would end up with a new wife and a son who couldn't get shit. And he wouldn't even know.
Presley grabbed me, dragged me toward the medical room. Disgust all over her face.
"Let's see what you got."
Dr. Rivera collected samples. Sent them off.
Someone brought Crew's toothbrush.
Waiting for results. Nobody said shit.
Crew's family sat there in a line, staring at me. Dark expressions.
Like I wasn't family. Like I was a criminal.
I looked at their faces. All that hate. Couldn't stop what I felt inside.
Crew's great-aunt sneered.
"Once those results come back, let's hear what you got."
Chapter 3
Don't know how long. Finally the machine beeped.
Test reports printing out.
Sharp beep.
Top line:
"Paternity confirmed between Wyatt Vaughn and Crew Vaughn."
Sloane rushed over, grabbed the report from Dr. Rivera.
Read it. Started laughing.
"See? This IS my grandson."
She shoved the report in everyone's faces.
Barrett grinned, bouncing the baby.
Presley grabbed my arm, trying to shove me toward a car.
"Today I'm watching you get that abortion."
"Wait..."
I fought to break free. Spent three years trying for this baby.
I wouldn't let anything happen to them.
All those cold Vaughn faces staring at me.
"You insult the woman who gave us an heir? Should abort that baby as punishment."
My shoulders jerking back and forth, wrist twisting, trying to break free.
"Her kid isn't what you think!"
I bit down hard on Presley's arm. Yelled at Dr. Rivera.
"The paternity test—Dr. Rivera, the bottom line..."
"Quit fighting. You're getting an abortion today."
Bexley kicked me from behind. Eye hit the car window. Everything blurred.
But I ignored it. Turned to my last hope.
Dr. Rivera met my eyes. Saw it. Froze.
Something shifted in him. He bent down. Grabbed the paternity report.
Saw what was on it. His breathing got fast. Started freaking out.
"WAIT. STOP."
"Can't abort that baby."
Car engine turned on. He ran in front. Banging on the glass.
"That baby's our last shot. CAN'T."
"Nobody's going anywhere."
Car stopped. Barrett looked pissed.
"Dr. Rivera, you ran the DNA test. What's the problem?"
"Wyatt IS the Vaughn heir."
Dr. Rivera swallowed. Held out the report.
"Look at this first."
"Show me what bullshit you're pulling."
Barrett grabbed it. Pissed off. Next second—eyes huge.
"Why the drama?"
Sloane grabbed the report from him. Barely looked at it.
Next second started shaking, staring at Bexley. Total disbelief.
"Mom, Dad, what's happening? We aborting this baby or what?"
Presley looked confused. Took the report. Saw that one line and froze.
Kept saying impossible.
Bexley still living in her fantasy. Saw them reacting like this. Laughed.
Grabbed the report. Real casual.
"Mom, Dad, Pres—you guys are good actors. We already did DNA twice, right?"
"I'm traditional. Crew's my only guy ever. This kid's gotta be his."
"What's with the faces? I miss something?"
She looked it over.
I got out of the car. Fixed my clothes.
Worried she'd miss it. Helped her out.
"Keep reading. Yeah, that last line. Additional notes."
"See it? Can't see? Want me to read it?"
Didn't need me to. Right there.
"Kid's fucked up from birth. No parts. Nothing down there. Can't even tell if it's a boy or girl."
