“My children were my future.”

Nora was quiet. When she spoke again, her tone had shifted from defensive to calculating. “The board cannot hear about this tonight. An undisclosed paternity issue could affect the acquisition.

Cassandra must sign a confidentiality agreement before anyone learns who those children are.”

Damon laughed once. It was not a pleasant sound. “You lied to the mother of my children, and now you want her silence?”

“I want to protect everything we built.”

“No. You want to protect your position inside it.” He ended the call.