"Miss Sanchez, you and Mr. Sanchez have always been completely innocent. Just an ordinary brother and sister. I was the one eaten alive by jealousy, using underhanded tactics to frame you. Please forgive me."
Every word rang out, crisp and unmistakable.
With each sentence, the color drained further from both their faces.
Ruth—because I had just nailed them permanently to the cross of sibling relations for all the world to see.
Cyril's expression was harder to read. Something flickered in his eyes—a flash of unease he couldn't quite suppress.
Ruth shot me a look of pure hatred.
Then, suddenly, she clutched at her hair, her voice trembling like a leaf in a gale.
"I'm not a bad woman—I'm not! It was her who cheated! She's the one who made a cuckold of my brother! She didn't cherish him, so I will! If loving him makes me shameless and disgusting, then just let me die—"
Her sudden breakdown shattered whatever composure Cyril had barely managed to regain.
He pulled her into his arms. "Ruth, we're not blood siblings. We were actually engaged as children—a promise between our families. Even if you do have feelings for me... you've done nothing wrong."