Evangeline tried to explain.
She really did.
Her lips moved quickly, her hands gestured, and words poured out in a rush, but there was no proof to support any of it. The only evidence anyone needed was the baby in Damon's arms.
Her face turned beet red as she struggled to defend herself.
Then Damon made it worse.
He stepped closer to her, glanced down at the baby, and said gently,
"Come, Ranar. Go to mommy."
It was as if he had given the child permission.
Ranar immediately stretched her tiny arms toward Evangeline.
Every argument died on Evangeline's lips.
She instinctively took the baby, and the resemblance became painfully obvious. The hair, the eyes, even the way the child blinked. Murmurs spread through the hall.
Evangeline slowly realized, with growing horror, that Damon had just ruined her reputation without trying.
At that moment, Lilith Astranova approached in a flowing red dress and stopped in front of him.
