“So you are saying the whole marriage thing with the West boy was fake?” Brad asked after listening to Lopez's explanation.

Lopez nodded, acknowledging that he had heard her right.

“I can't believe you would do something like that,” Brad said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Lopez sighed, feeling the weight of his disappointment. "I didn't have a choice, Brad. Mom's illness, Sam's tuition, Dad even took a loan with the house as collateral… it was all too much. I did what I thought was best to protect my family."

Brad leaned back in his chair, trying to process everything. "And Adrian? He just threw you out like you were...