~LAYLA~
"What do you mean?" His voice had changed, losing some of its authority.
"Drop the act, Charles. I know I'm not your daughter."
There was a long pause. When he spoke again, his voice was ice. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, really? That's the card you're playing?"
"Layla, that's ridiculous. You're upset; you're saying things…"
"Don't," I cut him off sharply. "Don't insult my intelligence by denying it. I know the truth. I know I'm adopted."
The silence on the other end was deafening. I could hear his heavy breathing as he processed what I'd just said.
"How..." he finally spoke in a quieter voice now. "How did you know?"
"It's not necessary how I found out. What matters is that I know."
"Layla, listen to me. Your mother and I, we loved you. We raised you as our own…"
