Helio’s POV
The tension in my father’s office was suffocating. The heavy silence echoed in my ears. Something was screaming at the back of my mind that I was heading down a dangerous path, but it was one I had to go down, not just for my sake but for Cindra, Kalinda, and my brothers. If he was willing to sell me for whatever benefits he could get, who knew what he would do to them?
"I know the truth, Father," I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite the tremor of anger in my hands. "I know Cindra isn't actually my cousin."
He turned around fully. The words hung in the air. His stony expression remained in place.
"What are you talking about, Helio?" His voice was clipped, a dangerous edge creeping into its tone.
I held his gaze, refusing to back down. "All my life you’ve said that
