Silence. But inside her, there was a noise that wouldn't quiet down.
When Darius finally disappeared from her sight, that was the only time Elle moved again. It was as if something was stuck in her throat—a scream that couldn't be released, an explanation that no longer had space. She was no longer in the house she once called home.
Quietly, she lowered her head. Her fists clenched tightly, trying to hold back her tears. Out of the corner of her eye, she could feel the weight of the questions in her parents' eyes. They didn't know anything. Or if they did, it wasn't enough to grasp the whole truth.
And now, this was the day she chose to speak.
Not to ask for forgiveness. Not to chase the past. But to own up to, face, and accept the truth.
Each step she took toward the living room table felt heavy.
"I'm sorry…" she began softly. "I never thought things would end this way between Darius and me."
Silence filled the room. She didn't know if the Alcaraz family was still listening, but she had to continue.
She told them everything—how she searched for Angela, how she used the idea of surrogacy to get close to her. A scheme built on deception, not to have a child, but to give Darius a reason to finally let her go.
Because the truth was, for a long time—since college—the only person she ever loved was Aries. And despite the marriage, the years, and all the kindness Darius had shown her, it was Aries who remained in her heart.
Darius' mother almost collapsed upon hearing this.
Elle turned as Darlene, Darius' older sister, suddenly entered. She had come from outside—perhaps their father called her, or maybe she had already sensed something.
Even at the beginning of the story, Darlene couldn't contain herself. She stormed forward, furious, and without hesitation, slapped Elle across the face.
"YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE PART OF OUR FAMILY!" she screamed. "You have no right to toy with other people's feelings—especially not my brother's, and MOST ESPECIALLY not Angela's!"
Tears streamed down Darlene's cheeks. "You have no idea how much we loved her. How much she was hurt. You have no heart. You have no conscience!"
Elle's father panicked. Her mother couldn't even look her in the eye. Mrs. Alcaraz, assisted by her husband, almost collapsed under the weight of the revelation. A scene shattered by a truth long kept hidden.
Darius returned, walking quickly.
"Ate, that's enough," he told his sister, trying to stop her.
Elle remained where she stood. She didn't fight back, didn't flinch. She accepted the slap. She accepted everything—because that was the price of the sin she committed.
***
Several months passed…
Amid the unrest in the Philippines, a quiet joy prevailed in San Francisco. Clark felt a mix of happiness and anxiety as the day approached when Angela would give birth to the child believed to be Darius and Elle's—according to what they knew.
Angela was about to give birth. And once it happened, they would wait only six more months before getting married. It was Angela's request so her body could recover and they could plan the wedding properly.
Clark took time off work to care for Angela. He didn't want to leave her alone, especially now that she could give birth at any moment. The real parents of the baby would also be arriving—something the couple was completely unaware of.
The Alcaraz family chose to remain silent. They wanted to wait for the right time, fearing that the truth might harm the baby still in the womb if Angela found out too soon.
Meanwhile, Elle and Darius were officially separated.
As much as it pained Kitty, she chose not to say anything. But guilt was eating her alive—she felt like she was betraying her dearest friend. So, she found a reason to return to the Philippines, with the help of her in-laws who were eager to meet their grandchild.
***
Three weeks later…
Angela gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
The child bore a striking resemblance to Darius. His entire family came to visit Angela at the hospital.
"Where is his wife?" Angela wondered silently. But she chose to stay quiet. She didn't have the strength to ask. She would rather rest.
Her mind tried to escape the thought that soon, the baby would be taken away from her—the baby she gave birth to, but who had different parents. Until sleep and exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted into deep rest.
She tried to sleep away the questions, the anxiety, and the unexplainable connection she felt to the child she had delivered. But even in her dreams, there seemed to be a shadow following her.
Darius stood quietly by the doorway, watching Angela—exhausted, yet peaceful. He held the baby who, with every movement, seemed to reflect his own flesh and blood. But what if… he wasn't? What if Elle was wrong? Or worse, what if she was right, and Angela was the one who had been deceived by them all?
There was no certainty. So, Darius requested a DNA test—not out of doubt, but because he wanted to take responsibility for what needed to be taken care of.
Darius went straight to the lab for the DNA test to confirm Elle's claims. He didn't tell anyone—he wanted to be sure first.
He didn't know what would happen next. Until Angela and Clark knew the truth, there was nothing he could do. He wasn't the only one who had a say in the child's future.
If Angela truly was the biological mother, they would have to talk. Because the child had the right to know who his real parents were—and even more so, Angela had the right to know the deception Elle had committed against all of them.
Darius knew Clark and Angela were engaged. He hadn't expected it to hurt when he found out—just two days before Angela gave birth. He hadn't realized he was still holding on to a tiny bit of hope.
Maybe, just maybe, Angela would change her mind once she learned the truth. But it was too late.
Angela herself confirmed it when they spoke. He saw the engagement ring on her finger. If before it was a promise ring on that finger, now it was an engagement ring—and not from him. From the man he never thought would end up with the woman he once loved more than anyone.