Adrian stared at her.
"The real father?"
His former fiancée nodded.
"Yes."
Lila could feel Adrian's hand trembling around hers.
"Who is he?" Adrian asked.
She hesitated.
"You don't want to know."
"I asked you who he is."
Her eyes dropped to the floor.
"His name is Daniel."
Adrian's expression changed.
"Daniel?"
"Yes."
"Daniel who?"
She finally looked up.
"Daniel Adebayo."
The room became completely silent.
Adrian's mother stood abruptly.
"What did you say?"
The woman swallowed.
"Daniel Adebayo."
Adrian stared at her in disbelief.
"My brother?"
Lila's heart stopped.
His brother.
Adrian had once mentioned having an older brother who lived abroad. A brother he rarely spoke about.
A brother who, according to Adrian, had disappeared from the family after a bitter disagreement with their father.
"That can't be possible," Adrian whispered.
"It is."
Adrian shook his head.
"My brother left the country years ago."
"I know."
"He wasn't even in Lagos when we were together."
"He came back."
"When?"
"Before you and I ended our engagement."
Adrian took a step backward.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because Daniel made me promise not to."
His mother covered her mouth.
"Dear God."
Lila watched Adrian carefully.
His entire world seemed to be collapsing around him.
"So the child…" he whispered.
"Is Daniel's."
Adrian looked at the woman.
"Then why did you make me believe she could be mine?"
"Because Daniel refused to take responsibility."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"And you thought I would?"
"Yes."
She began crying.
"You were the only person I trusted."
Adrian laughed bitterly.
"You didn't trust me. You used me."
"I was desperate."
"And now?"
She wiped her tears.
"Now Daniel wants his daughter."
Lila finally spoke.
"Why?"
The woman looked at her.
"Because he recently found out she exists."
Adrian frowned.
"How?"
"He received information from someone."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
Adrian turned away.
His mother sat down again, visibly shaken.
"This family…"
She whispered.
"We have been keeping too many secrets."
Lila looked at Adrian.
"What are you going to do?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he turned toward her.
"I need to find my brother."
"And after that?"
"I need to meet the child."
Lila nodded slowly.
"And me?"
His eyes softened.
"You don't have to come with me."
She studied him.
"I know."
"But I want you to."
Lila's heart tightened.
"Adrian, this is your family."
He stepped closer.
"You are my family too."
She looked at him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Adrian's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
Unknown number.
He answered.
"Hello?"
A man's voice came through.
Adrian's expression immediately changed.
"Who is this?"
The voice was calm.
Too calm.
"I heard you're looking for me."
Adrian froze.
Lila watched his face.
"Daniel?"
There was a pause.
Then the voice replied:
"Hello, little brother."
Adrian's eyes widened.
And before he could respond, Daniel said quietly,
"You're going to hate me when you learn why I came back."
The call ended.
Adrian stood completely still.
Lila touched his arm.
"What did he say?"
Adrian slowly lowered the phone.
"He's coming."
"When?"
He looked toward the door.
"Tonight."
And suddenly, the future they had been planning together felt much farther away.