Alejandro's words fell like a lightning bolt in the room. Amelia felt the air leave her lungs as she processed the news.

"Alexandre is my son," Alejandro repeated, his voice barely a whisper.

His eyes were fixed on a distant point, as if he were trying to comprehend the magnitude of what he had just discovered.

Amelia approached him, taking his hand in hers.

"Are you sure?" she asked softly, though she knew the answer was obvious.

Alejandro nodded slowly.

"Then Waleska didn't deceive you," she