39: Revelations and Confrontations

In her mother's kitchen, Lily could feel the lingering tension as the aroma of dinner wafted through the air. Helen, ever vigilant, glanced worriedly at her daughter returning from the unexpected rendezvous with Kenneth. Their relationship, once a well-kept secret, was now an open wound between them. Helen's grip tightened on Lily's hand, her voice laced with concern. "The Everett family... they are treacherous. What did Daniel want from you?" Lily, determined not to withhold the truth any longer, shared the details of her unsettling meeting. "Daniel seems to believe the child I'm carrying is his and Michael's. He was punished by Michael and now wants us to band together against him." Helen peered at Lily. "Did you...?" Lily knew immediately what her mother was implying. "No, I didn't. But Daniel's semen was also collected, in case Michael's were not good enough for fertilizing eggs. No one knew the extent of damage to his system caused by the accident. So, Stella Everett was