"What?" Gérard stared at him, stunned.
Alberto lowered his gaze, shame dragging his head down as his eyes glazed with unshed tears. His grip tightened around the bars until his knuckles turned stark white.
"This… vile woman," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "is my mother."
For a moment, Gérard couldn't breathe.
Nothing made sense.
How—how could Alberto possibly be his brother?
"What the f*ck are you talking about?" Gérard snarled, his disbelief snapping into anger. His fingers tightened instinctively around Carine's throat, cutting off her air. Her face began to pale as she clawed desperately at him scratching at his skin, his neck but he didn't loosen his hold.
"She blackmailed me," Alberto forced out hoarsely. "Made me keep her informed about you… or she'd tell you the truth."
Gérard inhaled sharply.
Then, without warning, he flung Carine aside. She hit the ground hard, coughing violently, choking for breath as she wheezed.
Gérard turned and strode toward Alberto.
