More Than an Heir

Maverick’s POV

I didn’t move from where I stood, even long after she left. Like something heavy dropped into the middle of my chest and stayed there, refusing to leave.

I didn’t understand why it stung. Why her words echoed so loud inside my head that I couldn’t hear anything else. Artificial insemination. Her voice had been calm. Cold. Final. I’d heard death sentences sound kinder.

I dragged a ha