CHAPTER SIXTY - AFTER THE FALLOUT

Rain lashed against the penthouse windows, mirroring the tempest brewing inside Kayla. The revelation at the warehouse had left her reeling, the weight of the truth a crushing burden. She had to tell Lance, no matter the consequences. As the city lights blurred outside, Kayla finally gathered her courage. "Lance, we need to talk," she said, her voice barely a whisper. Lance, sprawled on the couch flipping through channels, looked up, his brow furrowing in concern. "Everything alright, Kayla?" "No," she admitted, her voice cracking. Taking a deep breath, she blurted out, "It's about Maya." Lance's face instantly softened. "Maya? What's wrong?" Taking another fortifying breath, Kayla launched into the story. She spoke slowly, deliberately, recounting what she had overheard at the warehouse – Raya's desperation, Lana's blackmail, the truth about the falsified DNA test. As she spoke, the color drained from Lance's face. His initial disbelief slowly gave way to a profound shock, his e