Mrs. Carlos’ face paled, her eyes widening in shock as the weight of Ivan’s words hit her. For the first time, her composed mask slipped, revealing the fear and desperation underneath. “Nathaniel told you…?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “That ungrateful, how dare he?”

Ivan released her wrist and stepped back, shaking his head in disbelief. “Yes, he told me everything. And I still can't believe you of all people would do that to me, I thought father was the bad one. Because he left when we were young, but now I see you for your true colors. I thought the problem was Nathaniel, all this time, I thought it...