Derek sat in the station's visitor area, waiting to see Michael. The detectives had told him Michael had requested a visit. He didn't owe Michael a visit, nor forgiveness. But here he was, in this cold, impersonal room.

As he waited, Derek thought about Ethan. A slight twitch at the corners of his mouth recalled their catching Ethan eating after pretending to be unconscious. Ethan had looked like a guilty child caught red-handed, momentarily lifting Derek's spirits. He chuckled quietly, but the lightness quickly faded.

The sound of shuffling feet snapped him back to reality. He looked up; his amusement vanished. Michael was being led in, dressed in the dull gray uniform of an inmate. His movements were slow and hesitant, his actions a visible burden. Derek's jaw tightened as their eyes met. He held Michael's gaze until Michael sat across from him.

"I was told you wanted to see me," Derek began, his voice cold and flat. "Why?"

There was no greeting, no civility. Derek saw no point. The betrayal ran too deep. His fists clenched under the table, hidden from view, as he remembered everything Michael had done—not just to Evelyn, but to him: the lies, the schemes, the audacity of trying to destroy his life. He no longer cared about Michael; he would never forgive him. Despite Michael's claim that Sandra had orchestrated everything, Derek believed Michael had been a significant part of the plan, and that was unforgivable.

Michael swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously.

"Derek, I'm sorry for everything"

"Sorry?" Derek leaned forward, his voice dripping with disdain. "Sorry you were caught? Or that the family's angry?"

"No," Michael shook his head, his hands fidgeting. "Not because I was caught. I'm glad. Relieved it's over. Things were getting out of hand with Sandra. I didn't want to harm anyone."

"Harm anyone?" Derek laughed, a bitter, sharp sound. "What was your plan, Mike? Impregnate Sandra, have me marry her, raise your kids as my own, then let them inherit everything? Or were you planning to get rid of me and marry her yourself, claiming everything with your children?" Michael looked down, his lips pressed tightly together. His silence was a confession.

"I don't know what I was thinking" Michael began, but Derek cut him off.

"You do know," Derek growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Don't insult me. I know you do, so don't give me that excuse."

Michael exhaled shakily. "The woman I loved wanted you, Derek. Not me. She saw you—your position, your money—as the prize. It twisted me. I saw you as the obstacle, the competition. I was jealous, greedy. I became someone I'm ashamed of. I was wrong. I'm not making excuses. I was a fool. But right now, I'm heartbroken. My heart is shattered, and I can't bear being cut off from everyone."

Derek sat back, his face expressionless. He let Michael's words hang in the air. Finally, Michael looked up, his eyes red-rimmed and pleading.

"Please, Derek. Forgive me."

"Forgive you?" Derek's tone was calm, but the edge was unmistakable. "Forgiveness won't keep you from prison. You committed a crime, Mike. You'll do the time."

Michael nodded, his shoulders slumping. "I know. I don't expect anything else." He paused, then added hesitantly, "There's another reason I wanted to see you."

Derek's brow furrowed. "What is it?"

Michael shifted uncomfortably. "It's about your adoption," he said. Derek's eyes narrowed, his anger flaring.

"What about it?"

"I… I looked into it," Michael admitted, his voice a whisper. "I was trying to find something incriminating about your biological family. Something I could use to…" He trailed off, unable to meet Derek's glare. Derek's eyes widened, shocked by Michael's lengths to bring him down. His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. "You bastard," he hissed, his voice trembling with rage. He rose, fearing he might hit Michael.

"I found something," Michael said quickly. "Something you need to know."

Derek froze, torn between leaving and his curiosity. He didn't want to care about his biological family, yet he wanted to know what Michael found. "What is it?" he asked, his voice low and guarded.

Michael took a deep breath. "You have a sister."

The words hit Derek like a punch. He stared, waiting for a retraction.

"What?" Derek finally managed, his voice barely audible as he sank back into his seat.

"You have a sister," Michael repeated. "She was a baby when your parents died. The woman who took you to the orphanage… she took your sister with her. There's a flash drive in my apartment—in my bedroom drawer—with everything the private investigator uncovered." Derek's mind raced. He didn't remember a sister. "Are you making this up? Because if you are, I'll kill you before you see a judge," Derek threatened coldly.

Michael shook his head. "I'm not. You'll see."

He had a sister? Derek stood abruptly, his chair scraping the floor, but Michael stopped him.

"Tell Evelyn I'm sorry. I had no right to be angry about her cheating…"

Derek shook his head. "Evelyn didn't cheat on you."

"She has a child with another man…"

"That child is mine. The woman who hit my car on the way to your wedding? Remember?" Derek asked coldly. Michael nodded.

"Yes. You said she spent the night…"

"That was Evelyn. She saw you in bed with Sandra. I didn't know it was her at the time." Derek explained. Michael's eyes widened. Derek had been on his way to his wedding, but the accident had prevented his arrival. They'd planned to meet the next day. "Evelyn didn't cheat. She's nothing like you and Sandra. And I'm going to marry her," Derek said, and without waiting for a response, he walked away.