Shayla:
You said you needed to talk. Well, I’m here. What’s this about?
Angelina:
(avoiding eye contact)
Before I say anything… please know I regret it. Every single day. I’ve been carrying this guilt for too long.
Shayla:
(suspiciously)
Guilt? For what?
Angelina:
(voice shaking)
It’s about Kai… and the DNA test. The one from last year.
Shayla:
(frowning)
What about it? It proved Darren wasn’t Kai’s father. That’s why I left. That’s why everything collapsed. What are you trying to say?
Angelina:
(voice barely above a whisper)
I changed it. The results weren’t real. Darren is Kai’s father.
Shayla:
(stunned silence)
...What did you just say?
Angelina:
(tears welling)
I had someone help me hack into the lab system. The original report showed Darren was a 99.9% match. But I changed it to zero.
Shayla:
(steps back in disbelief)
You did what?! Angelina, are you insane? Do you even understand what you’ve done?
Angelina:
(crying)
I was hurt, Shayla! Darren destroyed me. You didn’t know it back then, but he was with both of us — lying to each of us. I wanted him to feel the same pain I did. I wanted him to lose everything.
Shayla:
(angrily)
So you used my child as revenge?
Angelina:
(sobbing)
Yes — and it was the worst mistake of my life. I wasn’t thinking straight. I never thought you’d actually walk away from him forever. When you left… I realized I’d broken something I could never fix. But it was already too late.
Shayla:
(voice trembling with rage)
You shattered my world. I believed that man wasn’t my son’s father. I tore my own family apart. Darren almost lost his mind. And my boy… he keeps asking why his dad disappeared. All this time — it was a lie?
Angelina:
(whispers)
Yes. I’m sorry, Shayla. I know an apology can’t fix this, but I couldn’t live with the secret any longer. You needed to know the truth.
Shayla:
(her voice cracks)
You were supposed to be my friend. You were there when I gave birth. You held Kai in your arms. How could you?
Angelina:
(quietly)
That’s what kills me the most. I betrayed you both. I thought I was hurting Darren, but I ended up hurting an innocent child. I hate myself for it.
Shayla:
(angrily wiping tears)
You didn’t just hurt a child. You destroyed our truth — our peace. I mourned a love that never actually died. And you just watched me crumble.
Angelina:
(softly)
I know. I’ll never forgive myself. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right. I’ll confess. Darren deserves the truth — and so does Kai. I just needed to tell you first.
Shayla:
(coldly)
You will tell him. Because this won’t stay buried. The truth is coming out, whether you like it or not.
Angelina:
(nods through tears)
I understand.
Shayla:
(voice low but firm)
You didn’t just lie — you stole years we can’t get back. No sorry will undo that. But maybe… maybe the truth can still heal what’s left.
Angelina:
(whispers)
Thank you… for listening, even if I don’t deserve it.
Shayla:
(quietly)
You’re right — you don’t.
Shayla turns and walks away, her shoulders trembling but her steps steady. Angelina sta
ys frozen on the bench, her tears falling as the last trace of sunset fades into darkness.
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