Chapter 13: The Heir
Valerie gave birth to a boy in early spring.
Gavin sent me a message asking if I wanted to meet the child.
I replied: Only if the mother agrees and the child is not used as leverage.
The meeting happened in a neutral park. Valerie looked tired. Gavin looked smaller. The baby was healthy and had Gavin’s eyes.
I held him for a moment, then handed him back.
“He is not mine,” I said. “But he is innocent. I will not punish him for your choices.”
Gavin’s voice was rough. “You could have had this life with me.”
I looked at him calmly. “I could have. But I would have remained small. I choose not to be small anymore.”
I walked away without looking back.
The heir had been born.
May you like
But the empire had already chosen its owner.
And I was done being part of their story.
