Clair’s POV
I wanted to shrink into myself, to disappear, to erase the moment entirely. I could feel emotion welling up, but I wouldn’t allow the tears to fall.
Not yet. Not in front of her.
Sophie’s hands trembled as she lifted the DNA results, scanning them once more as if the paper itself had changed. “I trusted you… both of you. And this… this is what I get?”
Margaret leaned back, satisfied, letting the room’s tension escalate naturally. “Truth has a way of surfacing, Claire. No matter how cleverly you hide it.”
I finally found my voice, quivering but audible. “Sophie… I—”
Sophie slammed her hand on the table. “No. Don’t you dare. Don’t even try to speak.”
Ryan’s face twisted in guilt and desperation. “Sophie, listen—please. You have to understand—”
“Understand?” Sophie barked,
