Leo took another step, his presence dominating the space.
"Jessica and your father had arranged for a surrogate," he explained, his tone chillingly matter-of-fact. "But Jessica was already several months pregnant with Stella. She had no interest in carrying another child. So she instructed the surrogate to use the surrogate's own egg. Her own DNA."
Jessica began shaking her head violently, fresh tears streaking her makeup. "That's… that's a lie—"
Leo paid her no mind.
"Biologically," he continued, his gaze never leaving Bella's pale face, "she is Stella's mother. But she is not, and never was, yours."
Jessica's legs seemed to give out completely, and she sank fully to the floor, her facade crumbling into genuine despair.
