My mother's expression changed, and she looked at me with a mixture of sadness and desperation. "I was trying to protect you, Asher. I was trying to protect our family's reputation."

"By kidnapping innocent children?" I asked, my voice rising in anger.

My mother took a step forward, her hands clasped together. "I know it was wrong, but I didn't know what else to do. Sofia is getting suspicious, and I knew it was only a matter of time before she found out about your children with Aurora."

I shook my head, feeling a wave of disgust wash over me. "You should have trusted me to handle it, Mother. You...