The Child I Carry Is Not Your Heir Chapter 01

The Child I Carry Is Not Your Heir Chapter 01

I’d spent ten years pining after my childhood best friend, and one messy birthday party night blurred the line between us entirely.

When I woke, he pulled his clothes on with cold, scornful eyes fixed on me.

“Your tactics are disgustingly cheap.”

He stormed off before I could utter a single word in my defense.

I dragged myself home throbbing all over, cutting off every single tie with him for three long months.

Our paths crossed again when his mom hauled him over to my front door, begging for my help.

Mrs. Miller beamed with delight. “Our troublesome boy’s getting engaged! You studied interior design, Grace—could you oversee renovating their new marital home?”

My mother shot me a stunned glance. “Wait, did the two of you finally get together?”

An awkward hush settled thick in the room.

Jay’s face darkened to a furious scowl. “Is spreading lies fun for you, Grace? I’d never marry you, not even if you lied and claimed you’re carrying my child.”

Both mothers froze mid-conversation.

Mrs. Miller rushed to apologize at once. “Watch your tongue! Grace is a sweet, respectable girl, don’t act out like this.”

I spoke up calmly. “It’s alright, ma’am. Only I can’t take on that renovation job.”

I lowered my head and brushed a hand gently over my stomach. “I’m three months pregnant.”

A faint smile tugged my lips as I added. “Rest easy, none of you. The baby isn’t Jay’s.”

The single sentence dropped like a thunderclap in the quiet room.

Jay slammed his coffee mug hard against the table, jaw tight with simmering rage.

“Is this really the right moment for such a cruel prank?”

I met his livid stare completely unruffled.

“It’s no prank. I’m genuinely pregnant, and the child really doesn’t belong to you.”

I offered an apologetic grin afterward.

“I only got the test results recently and haven’t had a chance to mention it. I’m truly sorry, Mrs. Miller, but I can’t work on Jay’s house anymore. You’ll need to hire someone else.”

Beneath my mom’s shell-shocked gaze, I fetched a bowl of slow-simmered creamy beef stew from the kitchen. “I asked you to pick up raw chicken knuckle bones today, Mom. My doctor said the baby’s lacking vital nutrients and needs extra protein.”

The air turned ice-cold. My mother stared silently, rooted to her spot.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Mrs. Miller made awkward small talk and dragged Jay toward the door.

He tossed one final bitter remark before stepping out. “Even if that pregnancy’s real, I’ll never claim responsibility.”

The second their front door shut behind them, Mom slammed her palm down hard on the dining table.

“I know you’ve loved the Miller boy for a full decade, but even with his upcoming engagement, you can’t ruin your own reputation out of petty spite! You’ve never dated anyone, so where would a baby even come from?”

I pulled my official ultrasound report out of my pocket. The printed note confirming a three-month pregnancy sealed her mouth shut instantly.

She squeezed her eyes shut in defeat, then abruptly snatched hold of my wrist as a new thought hit her.

“Jay said he’d disown the child even if it’s his—did the two of you actually sleep together? Could this baby really be his?”

I sipped warm broth quietly. “The baby isn’t Jay’s, honest.”

Her hands shook with frustration. “Then who’s the father? Why hasn’t he shown up at our door after three months? I’ve never opposed you dating freely, but you shouldn’t get tied down to an irresponsible man.”

I sighed softly. “He knows I’m pregnant and’s fully prepared to take responsibility.”

My mind drifted off, picturing how ecstatic he’d been upon hearing my news.

A faint, involuntary smile crept onto my face.

He would keep every promise he’d made.

Right after learning about the baby, he’d wired a million dollars into my account for emergency expenses. Every single day, he sent endless links to infant gear, asking which items I preferred. He’d even floated the idea of purchasing multiple baby product corporations outright.

He possessed far more integrity than Jay ever could hope to have.

I hadn’t brought him home yet solely because his standing was extraordinarily unique.