"Who is the father?"
The question hangs in the air.
I can't answer. My throat has closed completely, my hands are still frozen halfway behind my back, clutching evidence I can no longer hide. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my skull, in my fingertips, everywhere.
"Runze." Mother's voice sharpens into something I've never heard before. "I asked you a question. Who is the father of that child?"
I shake my head, the movement feels disconnected from my body.
"Answer me!"
"I..." The word scrapes out of my throat like broken glass. "I....."
"You what?" She takes a step toward me and I flinch involuntarily. "Speak clearly."
My mind is racing, spiraling, crashing through impossible options. Tell the truth? Bael's name? My sister's fiance? Destroy Feifei's wedding, the business partnership, everything?
I can't.
Lie and buy time?
…There's no good answer.
There's no answer at all.
