The silence following Evelyn's confession was deafening. Eric's eyes widened in shock; for a long moment, he was speechless. Claire, however, visibly stiffened, her hand flying to her mouth. "What?" she whispered, her voice laced with disbelief.

Evelyn nodded, her voice breaking as she continued. She explained how Sandra had left her with the designer, claiming she needed to check on the florist, and how she'd gone to Michael's place for a surprise visit, only to find them in bed together, overhearing them discuss her. "I was so broken and didn't know what to do," Evelyn said, blinking back tears. "I didn't want to go home and see either of them. That's how I met Derek that day. My car hit his," she added, her parents turning to Derek.

"You were involved in an accident?" Claire asked, a worried frown creasing her brow.

Evelyn's lips trembled, tears falling as she nodded, the pain resurfacing.

"I can't believe this," Eric said, shaking his head as he stood, struggling to process Evelyn's words.

"Eric," Claire murmured.

"This doesn't make any sense," Eric continued. "If something like this happened, why keep it to yourself? Why not confront them? Why run away? How can I believe this?" He asked before his wife could respond.

"I didn't know how to face them," Evelyn sobbed. "I was ashamed of being so foolish for so long. I was hurt. Maybe if Sandra had been a stranger, it would have been different. If she were a friend, things might have played out differently. But Sandra is my sister! She's your daughter, too. I had no proof. How could I expose something like that?"

Samantha, having overheard their voices but unable to leave due to Maya, ran in when Maya went to the restroom. Sensing the tension, though not understanding it, she approached her mother. "Mommy? Why are you crying?" she asked, then went to Eric. She tugged at his hand. "Grandfather, why are you making Mommy cry? Are you mad at her?"

Eric's expression softened immediately as he looked down at Samantha's innocent, wide eyes. He knelt, taking her hand. "No, sweetheart. I'm not mad at your mommy. We're just talking," he assured her.

"Go back to your room, darling. I'm fine," Evelyn said, taking her daughter's small hand.

Samantha looked at Derek, who winked and nodded. Smiling, she scampered off.

Once Samantha was out of earshot, Eric turned back to Evelyn, his face flushed with anger. Before he could speak, Derek intervened.

"I was with Evelyn that day. I can prove it. She wasn't okay. She was crying so much she got into an accident. I couldn't let her drive away like that, so I took her to my hotel. She spent the night but left before I woke up. I spent the last six years searching for her until she showed up in my office recently. I have proof of all of this," Derek said, pulling out his phone and scrolling through his files.

Evelyn looked at Derek, surprised, as he hadn't mentioned any of this to her.

Derek clicked on a video clip showing Evelyn crying as she entered the hotel with him six years prior. "This was her with me. I needed this footage for the private investigator I hired to help me find her." He'd obtained the footage from the hotel's security cameras when he began his search.

Claire joined Eric in watching the footage. Though not perfectly clear, they recognized Evelyn.

After the video, Derek showed them pictures of the accident scene taken by his driver.

"Sandra really did that? To you?" Claire asked, her voice trembling. Evelyn nodded, her heart aching at the hurt in her stepmother's eyes.

"Yes, Mom. That's why I couldn't go through with the wedding. I couldn't marry a man who who had been with my own sister," Evelyn said, her lips trembling.

Eric's hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening as he looked away, his anger simmering beneath the surface. Claire, meanwhile, struggled to maintain her composure. She'd known Evelyn had issues with Sandra, but nothing of this magnitude.

She admitted to worrying about Sandra's close relationship with Michael and noticing Sandra's subtle attempts to turn Eric against Evelyn, but this was beyond anything she'd imagined. For a moment, she seemed about to crumble. Then, to Evelyn's surprise, she straightened, her expression hardening.

"If this is true," Claire said quietly, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her eyes, "then Sandra has a lot to answer for."

Still reeling, Eric looked at Evelyn, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry, Evelyn. I had no idea. If I had known—"

Evelyn cut him off, shaking her head. "Dad, it's okay. I didn't expect you to know. I kept it from you because I didn't want to hurt you or Mom."

"No, it's not okay. I was too harsh, didn't give you a chance. You were hurt, and I didn't pay attention. I failed you," Eric said, unable to forgive himself for siding with Michael.

"It was stupid of you to keep this from us, Evelyn. You stayed away from your father because of this? We are your parents. If Sandra did this, you should have told us. How could you go through all this alone, trying to protect us?" Claire scolded, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know better," Evelyn cried.

Eric reached out, pulling Evelyn into a tight embrace. "You've been through so much, and I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm sorry I didn't listen." Evelyn buried her face in his chest, sobbing. "I'm sorry, Dad. I was scared."

Eric's voice was firm as he held her close. "There's nothing to forgive, Evelyn. You did what you thought was right. I'm the one who is sorry."

Claire stepped forward and placed a hand on Evelyn's shoulder. "We'll deal with Sandra," she said softly. "But for now, let's focus on you."

Evelyn pulled back from her father, wiping her tears. "Thank you. I wasn't sure how this would go, but thank you." Eric sighed, the tension visibly leaving his body. He looked at his daughter with love and disappointment. "I I always thought we had a better relationship. I wish you'd trusted me. I would have stood by you," he said, brushing away her tears. Derek watched, relieved.

Claire stepped back, giving them space.

Evelyn's heart ached at her father's words. His opinion had always mattered, and the thought of disappointing him had haunted her. "Everything was so complicated. I didn't know how to handle it."

"I'm going to handle it. I will deal with Michael" Eric began.

"You can't do that, Dad. Don't let him or Sandra know you're aware," Evelyn interrupted, her voice firm. "There's more I need to tell you."

Eric furrowed his brow, but nodded, urging her to continue.

Evelyn took a deep breath, glancing at Claire, who offered an encouraging nod. "Before that, about the anniversary party. I never pushed Sandra. She put on the act herself. I poured the wine on her because she was trying to make me look bad, so I played along," Evelyn explained.

"Is that girl even my daughter?" Claire asked, incredulous at Sandra's schemes.

Eric sighed deeply. "Let's sit down," he suggested, and they all sat.