David's eyes blazed. "Selena, do you even hear yourself? Fake footage? Do you take me for a fool? Everything in that video is real—everything! Open your eyes!"
"I won't!" she shot back, her voice rising. "I don't believe a word of it because I know my Sierra. Erisia—that wretched girl—is the one capable of such things. My Sierra could never—never—do anything like this. So get that through your head!"
David stared at her, disbelief giving way to fury. "No, you listen to me. You are not only blind—you're willfully stupid. And I'll say this once, Selena. Never—never—call Erisia a bastard again. Because she is your biological daughter. You gave birth to her. Do you understand? You gave birth to her!"
Selena recoiled as if struck. "No! Everyone knows Sierra is our real daughter and Erisia was adopted—that's how it's always been!"
"Mom." Shane's calm but commanding voice cut through her protest. He stepped forward, gaze fixed on her until she faltered.
