"Let's keep this a secret for now," Leonard said calmly.
"There are still things we need to clear up before the truth can be made public."
His gaze shifted toward Layla.
"Layla, do you understand?"
Layla froze.
Of all the people in the room, why had her father singled her out?
She quickly forced a smile onto her face.
Of course she understood. Even if her father hadn't warned her, she would never tell anyone that Larissa Reyes was actually the long-lost daughter of General Leonard Norse. Where would that leave her?
But the revelation still left an uncomfortable ache in her chest.
What would Lara's return mean for her?
Would everything change now?
Would her parents look at Lara the way they had always looked at her?
Would her brothers begin treating Lara as the sister they had lost—and eventually forget the sister who grew up with them?
Would they still dote on her and cast her aside?
Layla pushed the thoughts away.
"Don't worry, Dad. My lips are sealed."
