I was about to speak again, to push back despite everything, when the door suddenly opened.
“Enough.”
Regina’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.
She walked in slowly, composed as ever, her expression cold but controlled, eyes sharp with authority.
Damien immediately let go of me, jaw tightening as he stepped back.
Regina’s gaze moved between us before landing on him. “You wouldn’t dare,” she said quietly, each word heavy with warning. “Because if you destroy her, you destroy this family along with her—and I will make sure you don’t walk away from it either.”
She stepped further inside. “We kept that child hidden for a reason. For his safety. For this company. If our enemies ever discover Ethan is an illegitimate heir, they’ll tear him apart and use it to destroy everything you’ve built.”
Her eyes shifted to me. “You love him, Clara. You should understand that sometimes sacrifices are necessary.”
I stared at her, my chest tightening. “So everything you did… everything you showed me…” My voice dropped. “Was any of it real?”
Regina didn’t even hesitate. She looked at me like I was being naïve.