My mind went blank as Mrs. Dubois's words hung in the air.
"You're mine."
The room seemed to spin around me. I stared at the woman who had always shown me kindness, trying to process what she'd just said.
"That's impossible," I whispered, my voice sounding distant even to my own ears.
Mrs. Dubois moved closer, her eyes never leaving mine. "It's the truth, Elara."
"You're lying!" Fiona shrieked, shattering the moment. "You're just saying that to hurt me!"
Mrs. Dubois didn't even glance in her direction. "I've hidden it for too long."
I felt Arthur's hand on my back, steadying me. "Are you alright?" he murmured.
Before I could answer, Fiona stormed across the room, grabbing Mrs. Dubois's arm and yanking her around.
"Take it back!" she demanded. "Say you're lying right now!"
Mr. Dubois stepped between them. "Fiona, enough."
"You knew?" I asked him, finding my voice. "All this time, you knew I was her daughter?"
He nodded slowly. "Yes."
