"We're not doing the test at that lab where your affair partner works. We'll go to a private clinic and get the results fast."
"If Cindy turns out to be my daughter, I'll apologize, transfer my assets to you and the kids, then divorce you."
"This way, we keep the family wealth intact, and you and the kids will be set for life."
“But if she's not..." Latham's eyes darkened, the unspoken threat hanging heavy in the air—nothing Octavia wanted to hear.
Octavia's guilt bubbled up; if she went through with the paternity test, all her secrets would be exposed.
Her silence only twisted the knife for Latham.
"What's the matter? Too scared now?" Latham's gaze was venomous.
“Octavia, I trusted you. I put this family in your hands, never once considered leaving you."
"And what did you do? You lied to me."
"How could you do this? Did I deserve this?"
The accusation hit its mark. Octavia snapped.
She let out a cold laugh. “Oh, really? You trusted me? Never thought about divorce?
You just went through a parade of women behind my back."
"Wasn't it you who let women like Fallon get pregnant, show up at our door, demanding you marry them?"
"Don't act like you're the only victim here—we've both played our part in this mess."
A sharp crack cut through the tension-Latham slapped Octavia hard across the face.
Her head snapped to the side and she tumbled onto the sofa.
"Mom!" Cindy shrieked in panic, scrambling over to help her up.
Latham shot Cindy a look filled with nothing but contempt.
"Dad, why are you doing this? There has to be some mistake-Mom would never do something like this!" Cindy pleaded desperately, clueless but already gripped by fear.
If she wasn't a James, then who was she?
“Don't call me Dad,” Latham said coldly. “I don't have a daughter like you."
"Ask your mother who your real father is."
Cindy clamped her mouth shut, realizing Latham was at his breaking point. Any more resistance could only make things worse.
She glanced at Claire, searching her face for reassurance or maybe for an ally.
What was Claire thinking? Was she just enjoying the show, waiting for their family to fall apart?
Claire, in truth, hadn't expected to stumble into such high drama
she stayed quiet watching from th
the
sidelines as the chaosday.
But Octavia caught Claire's expressionless gaze and swiftly redirected her anger. "Was this your doing?" she demanded.
"You just can't stand to see our family happy! You want to tear this home apart, don't you?"
Claire rubbed the back of her neck, surprised to find herself caught in the crossfire. "Octavia, do you even hear yourself? Don't throw blame around carelessly."
"Did I tell you to have an affair? Did I make you get pregnant with another man's child?"
"Or was it my idea for you to sit by as your own daughter was swapped at birth and say nothing?"
Claire's words were ice cold-she didn't pull a single punch.
Octavia was left exposed, one cheek swelling where Latham had struck her. She couldn't stand up to
Latham, so she set her sights on et
Claire fishing for someone else to blame hoping to turn Latham's anger away from herself.
Sure enough, Latham's eyebrows knitted together at Claire's comments.
He'd known Claire was in the room, but his fury had gotten the better of him.
Airing their dirty laundry in front of
her
she
humiliation, but now that
ths in on the truth, what
point in hiding? .
Latham tried to tamp down his rage and looked to Claire. "When did you find out about all of this?"
He wanted to know why she hadn't come to him sooner with something this serious.
"You said Octavia knew you weren't her biological child from the time you were little. Why didn't you come forward then?"