Truths Unveiled, Destinies Foretold

I stood frozen in the doorway, my hand still pressed against my mouth. The look on Orion's face changed as he realized I'd heard everything.

"Elara," he said, his voice softening as he took a step toward me.

"Don't," I whispered, backing away. My mind was reeling from everything I'd just learned. My entire life had been a carefully constructed lie.

My mother rose from the couch, her face pale. "Sweetheart, please—"

The front door burst open before she could finish. We all turned to see Orion and Gideon standing in the doorway.

Wait... Orion?

I blinked in confusion, looking between the Orion by the door and the Orion who had just been speaking to my mother. That's when reality crashed down on me.

"Mom?" I called out, stepping fully into the living room. "Are you okay?"

My mother's eyes widened in shock. "Elara? But how—"