Bella met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "Nathan never accepted you as his brother because he knew the truth. You are Fabian’s bastard son."

Martin took a step back. "No… You told me my father was dead."

Bella looked away, shame creeping into her features. "I lied. To protect you. I never wanted you to know."

A cold silence stretched between them. Martin’s chest ached. His whole life—everything he had believed—was a lie.

Tears burned in his eyes. "How could you do this to ...