Megan’s eyes went wide. She couldn’t find a single word to say.

Ferris slammed his cane against the floor.

“Eric, watch your mouth!”

“Am I wrong?” Eric’s eyes narrowed, his voice growing sharper by the second. He lifted his chin defiantly and continued, “I don’t mind being called the cheating husband here. But what about her? Is this what the Aston family teaches their daughter? To meddle in someone else’s relationship?”

“Bullshit!” Ferris pointed a trembling finger at his son.

“It was my decision. I was the one who chose Megan for you. You two indeed grew up together. What’s so wrong when I said you had a relationship that spanned ten years? If you’re upset, then come at me. Stop lashing out at her like a child.”

Then he turned to Megan, whose face had drained of all color.

“And during your time in the hospital, she stayed by your side without rest. Can’t you see how much she’s done for you?”

Eric’s lips pressed into a tight line. His eyes held a strange blend of sarcasm, coldness, and something sharper beneath the surface.

Now that he thought about it, he realized why he no longer felt the same about Megan. It wasn’t that he’d turned cruel. The truth was, he had never loved Megan in the first place.

“But that doesn’t excuse the lies. You lied to me!” Eric looked at Megan first, and then turned to Ferris.

“Both of you did. I don’t believe a word either of you says.”

Ferris chuckled bitterly.

“You don’t believe me? Fine. The hospital has surveillance. Go see for yourself if Hadley ever came to see you!”

Eric squinted at him, a small crease forming between his brows.

“Eric…” Ferris’s voice softened when he noticed the flicker of doubt in his son’s eyes.

“You and Hadley are over. The secrecy was meant to help you move forward. I wanted you to grow closer to Megan.” He motioned toward her.

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“Look at her. With her background, her upbringing… Doesn’t she deserve a chance? The past is behind you now. I only hoped you’d start anew. With her.”

“But that still doesn’t justify the lies!” Eric laughed sardonically and shook his head in disbelief.

“Hadley and I may be over, but we have a daughter.”

The memory of Joy crying and calling him “Daddy” hit hard. His jaw clenched. His eyes burned with frustration.

“She’s my daughter. My own flesh and blood. And you made it so I couldn’t even recognize her!” he bellowed.

Ferris gave a slow nod and echoed his son’s words.

“That child… She’s a Scott, and she’ll receive a share of the family assets. That’s the best arrangement we could make.” He shook his head and sighed heavily.

“I wanted to keep her for you, but Hadley wouldn’t allow it. You agreed back then that she got full custody.”

Eric stood frozen. His mind was blank. He couldn’t remember any of it.

“Eric,” Ferris said gently, almost pleading, “once you marry Megan, you’ll have more children. Sons, daughters, as many as you want—”

“Enough!” Eric snapped, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

“How can you say something like that?”

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