Michael turned to her, desperation wild in his eyes. “It is! It has to be!”

But the doubt was already there. Sofia pushed her chair back abruptly. “I can’t do this,” she whispered. Her hands clutched her belly protectively. “Not like this.” And without another word, she walked away into the night.

Michael remained frozen, his once-proud posture crumbling into something small and desperate.

I rose slowly, smoothing my dress. My voice was calm, but sharp as glass. “Michael, this dinner was meant to celebrate family, tradition, and honesty. And now everyone here knows exactly who you are.”