"It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit." ― Noël Coward

Taryn stared at Tamara Asker, looking as guilty as charged. She looks despondent and lost. She looks like she didn't even bother to have a shower. With the same outfit since the other day, she doesn't seem to care. "I'm sorry," theia Tamara choked as she looks down on her lap, avoiding my gaze. Two words and it cut deep wounds in my heart.

My heart clenched for her and at the same time, enraged. They selfishly took my twenty-five years of life away from my own family. I grew up with grudges growing in my heart thinking I was abandoned. I live with bitterness and envy, full of revenge.

"Sorry?" I choked out, holding my temper at bay. My jaws stinging from clenching it too tightly trying to hold the urge to unleash my anger at her. Stifling the tears as I stared furiously at her, she shook her head without looking up. Her eyes still trained down on her lap.

I stood up brusquely, my chest felt like it's going to explode from all the negative emotions build up. The chair toppled backwards and the door swung open. I ignored the two police officers stalked inside towards me. Clenching my hands tightly as I propped it on the desk between us and loomed over her angrily. "Sorry? You made me believe that I was a bastard child." A stray tear rolled down my cheeks involuntarily, mixed emotions overwhelming me, my body shaking uncontrollably with all the anger and frustrations building up in my system. All the respect and love I felt for this woman in front of me vanished into thin air. I felt nothing but anger. The two police officers stop before they could reach me. I didn't bother to look at them as I hovered over the woman I thought was my aunt who was staring at me with guilt, sadness, and emotions that I don't want to entertain. She lied to me all those years and controlled over my life. They stole me from my true family and cut it out my rights from them. "My life was all a lie and you think your sorry would give it back the lost years you took it away from my own family?" I said, clenching my teeth.

She just sucked in her breath but didn't say anything. "Why?" I asked softly yet grimly after a long tense silence.

Tears started rolling down on her cheeks blinding her as she stared at me, guiltily. She swallowed hard and remained silent. She seems to contemplate and the sound of her soft sobs starting to make me feel guilty but at the same time, exasperated. Standing straight, I stared at her, disappointed. "Tara got miscarriage while she was doing a surgery. She was stressed out on how will she tell Xandrous about the baby and then the news came that he's dating Ashley Averill. Then when she came to see him, Xandrous shows no interest or any recognition and that hurt her so much." She smiles bitterly and I was shaking my head. The way she spoke I could sense the burning hatred in her tone, the same feelings I felt as I grow up towards my own father, my own family. "When she came back, with you, from Mexico, I was surprised. Since when did she get pregnant? I never heard of her dating anyone because I know she's madly and insanely in love with Zandros Mailov. I waited for her to tell me the truth. She was always tense up whenever you leave the house to play with your friends, and when she couldn't hold it anymore, she told me that she stole you, right when you were born. The Mailov has no idea about you since they were both unconscious. My brother Lorenzo took care of it, but as they say, no secrets that cannot be revealed." I was so tempted to go meet up with the Mailov and ask for an apology, but seeing my sister's love for you, she looks so happy and glowing as she stared at you, I decided not to. And I come to love you and your presence brought light to our house. You brought happiness to us and I've never seen my sister as happy as she is when she's with you." She smiled bitterly, her eyes shining with love and I felt pity for her. "As you grow up, my anxiety grew. I saw all the features of the Mailov in you and I know this day would come, but I never have the guts to tell you, until today." She brought her restrained hands up and with her finger, she wipes the tears away. "I'm sorry, Taryn. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me and my sister Tara. She loves you like her own," she continued on between tears.

I wipe the tears that escape my eyes and stared at her in disbelief. I don't know if I could forgive her nor the woman who took my life away from my own kin.

"Sir, please bring me back to the cell," she stood up and pleaded the officers. She seems that she accepted her fate. According to the chief police, she pleaded guilty and denied to get a lawyer.

I just watched her back as she walks closer to the officers and led her out of the room, like a lost woman. The jolly and sweet spirited lady I grew up with were now gone. The natural radiance she always possessed were replaced with glum.

I left the police station with a heavy chest, my heart is torn apart. I felt lost in the dark and I don't know where to go.

..............

I was surrounded by the Prescott family. Three buffed brothers of Deshawn was standing tight and rigid on one corner as they eyed him up and down with contempt. Deshawn's father Mr. Joseph Prescott was sitting across him with his wife next to him. The family's overt animosity towards me didn't lessen the desperation I felt to clear Victoria's name. I reminded myself again why I was here. To clear up the misunderstanding.

After blackmailing them that I can drag his family down, the head of the Prescott finally gives in, inviting me acquiescently inside their house so we can talk like two professional people. Of course, his boys demanded to be with us. Then, I ended up facing the whole family. The spacious living room of the two-storey brick house feels smaller with the increasing tension inside the room.

The tension in the room kept growing as I keenly watched all of them over the corner of my eyes and still attentive with the head of the Prescott.

"First and for all, I am sorry for your loss," I said earnestly. Deshawn seems a good guy. Mr. Prescott's face turns rigid. Ignoring his reaction, I continued on. "Secondly, I am here to clear up about the confusion. I know Deshawn, I met him through Victoria. They worked together and he's a nice guy, but he lied to all of you," I stared straight into Mr. Prescott's eyes. I felt the three brothers squirms, protesting silently as they step forward towards our direction. I didn't look at them as I trained my eyes at Mr. Prescott. He raised his palm to stops the three sons and I felt them stop but I could feel their wrath directed at me.

"What do you mean he lied to us," Mr. Prescott clenched his jaws. I held his gaze, without blinking, I spoke firmly. "He's gay!"

"You son of a bitch!" the eldest Prescott charging towards me with his eyes spitting fire. His hand curled into balls tightly. I stood my ground and face him, unfazed. Clenching my jaws I met the eldest furious eyes with my collected cold ones. I didn't bother registering their names in my head. The way they acted like they were the high and mighty, it just added to my boiling anger towards them.

"DANILO!" Mr. Prescott stood up with his voice thundering, causing his eldest son to come to an abrupt halt and stared at his father with disbelief.

The room fell into a tense silence. I stared at Mr. Prescott. He looks calm yet his eyes filled with disdain. "How well do you know my son that you accused him of being a gay?" he slowed his words which annoyed me further. My muscles twitching as I stared at him. Jaws tight and fist clenched.

"I know because I was there when he begs my girlfriend to pretend to be his girlfriend because he's scared, that his own family will disown him if they found out the truth!" I said derisively as I shot each one of them a scornful gaze, ignoring Victoria's soft voice whispering at the back of my head. I promised her to keep the secret, but this is the only way to get her out of this mess. Deshawn's hypocrite family should know the truth and should blame themselves. If they were open minded enough, their son wouldn't end his life out of fear.

An uproar rise inside the room as soon as I spewed out the words. Deshawn's mom doesn't know who to stop. Three Prescott's charging towards me and I'm glad my security team who came with me showed up just on time and held the three before they could reach me.

"Just leave, Mr. Mailov. You have no right to come here and judge my family!" Mr. Joseph Prescott, a retired military waved me off, as he sat back on the chair. His wife was staring at me with hatred.

"If you don't stop feeding the media with lies, then I'm afraid," looking squarely at him "I'll use whatever resources I have to drag you and your family to hell!" I felt all their eyes stares at me with fear and that's what I want them to feel. To strike them with fear, with terror. With that, I swiftly turn on my heel and started heading to the door.

Just as I was about to open the door, a soft feeble voice reached my ears. "Mr. Alexandrous Mailov, is it?" turning to face her, I saw a girl in her twenties wearing a long white dress, her long hair was neatly braided and hang down her back. She looks so pure and innocent as she stares at me, her eyes filled with fear and at the same time, burning curiosity. "I know you and your girlfriend, Victoria. I overheard your conversation with my family," she almost whispered as she stood close to me, a few inches apart.

My curiosity piqued and I turned to face her completely. "DEBORAH!" she lets out a startled soft squeak as she looks behind her where her father's loud voice is coming from.

I followed her gaze and I could hear her father's thundering footstep coming towards our direction. I felt her small hand wrap around my wrist and tugs me. "Quick, follow me," she whispered as she led me to the hallway hastily then opens a door. The room looks like a storage room where old winter coats are hanging on one side of the wall. An old musty smell assaulted my nostril as soon we entered the room. It's hard to see the things scattered in the small room with the little light coming from the small window. As soon as my vision adjusted, I saw an old rattan chair, piles of old frames and albums next to the chair.

I tore my eyes away from the old things and face her. "Who are you?" I asked. I have a feeling she's one of the Prescott.

"I'm Deborah Prescott, youngest and only daughter of the Prescott, but dad likes to think that all his kids were boys," she didn't bother concealing the bitterness in her voice. I don't understand why her father would think that way, but meeting him, it's not possible. He seems the kind of tough father to me.

"Why would your father treat you differently?"

"Because he thinks women are weak and powerless," I suddenly felt the urge to beat the shit out of him. I want to go back and beat him to death.

I stared at her with pity. My heart clenched for her. "Why would your mother let your father treat you like that?" I asked again.

"Because she's not like the other mothers who's ready to give her life for her daughter. Mom was always submissive to my father and treat him like a king and never defy him. Women in this house are powerless, are weak." She grits out softly. "They were my own blood but they never treat me as their own family. Only Deshawn who showed me love and respect." She lets out a soft hollow chuckle but dies down quickly. "And now, he was gone," her voice quivering as she continued on. "He ended his life after my father and Danilo learned about his sexual identity. They threatened him when he told them he's not like them, that he lied about having a girlfriend because he was actually dating a guy named Bernardo and he's also a model. Dad was furious and demanded him to quit modelling and go into the Army. The next day, he was dead. He commits suicide according to my father and brothers. I don't believe them. My father is undeniable. They tried to put all the blame to Victoria Pallos, but I believe they did it." I was speechless. "Please help me ..." Deborah's small hand rest lightly on my arm. "I know he didn't commit suicide. I know my father or my brother did it," she choked out begging. "I want justice for my brother!" she cried softly, looking helpless as she pulls her hand away.

"DEBORAH, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?" She frantically looks at the door. I could feel her fear radiating off her and I feel sorry for her. The voice fading together with the thundering footsteps.

When the voice is gone, she walks towards the door and slowly opens it. Quietly peeking her head through the small opening, the door creaks softly and she quickly walks out, her face facing the other way with her hands beckoning me to come out and follows her. As soon as I came out, she gave me a pleading stare and I nodded. I caught a glimpse of her tear rolling down on her cheeks before she turns on her heel swiftly and quietly tiptoeing the opposite direction while I headed quietly to the door.

.....................

Attorney Thianna Withrow gave the folder to Zandros Mailov. She came to see him and to explain about the charges they filed against Lorenzo Agnelis and the two nurses, and Tamara Asker. "Lorenzo fled the country before the warrant of arrest even made," Thianna explained as she handed him the folder. "That's the copy of the statement Agatha Fahim made together with the other nurses that were present on that day, together with the data when the twins were born. It was the original data that was retrieved in their old system before they tampered it," she said confidently. "With Lorenzo's absence and Tamara admitting of concealing her twins crime, there would be no further hearing or trials done. I've submitted the pieces of evidence to the court and judge Artemio Kallas will review the case before handing out the sentence. If the pieces of evidence are sufficient enough, then he will sentence her accordingly. As for Lorenzo's absence ..."

Zandros nodded. His thought averted to his wife, Thianna's words became blurry. He wasn't really interested about Lorenzo. He already dug his own grave for covering up Tara's action.

What he did is unforgivable and he is not going to let him watch him enjoy his life. He will pay his wrath. And as he sees his wife's grieving over the years of their son's life stolen from her, from them, he won't let him live freely.

He scowled at oblivion when Lauren's eyes filled with agony flashed in his head. It breaks him to watch her in that state.

Lauren was now sulking in their room. Taryn or Alexandrine doesn't want to admit the truth. He stormed out of his own penthouse and left them. Zandros had to cajole his wife to go home and rest. Lauren insisted on waiting for him at first, but at the end, she agreed and they both left with a broken heart.

Lauren was crying inside the car until they got back to the Mailov's mansion. Zandros doesn't know how to pacify her. His heart broke as he agonizingly watches her silently crying over her son's overt rejection.

"The police are now tracking Lorenzo's whereabouts," Thianna added dragging him out of his short reverie and he just nods. He wasn't really bothered about him. He already arranged someone and his fate is sealed.

Thianna rose from her seat. Zandros stood following her momentarily and stretch his hand for a handshake. "Thank you," he said and Thianna acknowledges it by nodding her head as she accepts his hand and they shook hands briefly.

Just as soon as she disappears through the door, Zandros dialled the delta company.

"Tristan's speaking!" Zandros spoke calmly.

"It's Zandros,"

Tristan got it right away. "We found him," he responded shortly.

"Take him down," he said without remorse, his blood boiling as the thought of someone like him controlled his life, his family, for over twenty years.

"Done!" and as soon as the word reach his ears, he ended the call.

"Dad," Zandros looks up and met Kristos' eyes glowing eyes. "Where's mom?" he asked.

Zandros walks towards his son who was standing closer to the door. He almost stood as tall as him. Among his kids, Kristos has a lean muscled body and friendlier among the Mailov's. "She's in our room. Let's go and see her," Zandros said and Kristos nodded as he walks out of the door first and Zandros followed him.

......................

A/N: Another chapter, yay. And I'm so late to go to bed. :(

Hope you like it. Enjoy!