The online audience, initially sympathetic toward Adaline, turned hostile, hurling accusations. They claimed Adaline was trying to dupe the Lewis family with another man's child. Some even insinuated that she might have framed Lilah for her miscarriage.

"Mom!" Adaline clutched Helga's hand, her eyes wide with fear. "How did Lilah get that recording? I'm ruined. What do I do now?"

“I've always told you to be careful," Helga admonished, her disappointment evident. "We had the upper hand, but now you're the one cornered."

"I... I've been very cautious. It's Lilah's doing! She must've had someone tail me," Adaline seethed with rage.

As they brainstormed damage control, the ward door burst open, revealing an incensed Regina. Adaline recoiled at the sight of her fury.

With a swift movement, Regina delivered a stinging slap to Adaline's face, leaving a vivid handprint.

Helga quickly stepped in, positioning herself protectively in front of her daughter. Attempting to muster an air of composure, she questioned, “Regina, what are you doing?"

Regina scoffed, "Perhaps you should inquire about your daughter's escapades."

Her voice dripped with venom as she glared at Adaline. "You dare to dupe Iker with another man's child? The audacity!"

Choking back tears and cradling her reddened cheek, Adaline turned to Iker, her eyes pleading. “Iker, you know my feelings for you are genuine. That recording-it's fabricated. Lilah's trying to sow discord between us. She's orchestrating all of this chaos."

Iker's gaze was icy as he regarded Adaline. “Did you take me for a fool, Adaline? I authenticated that recording long before now."

Adaline paled. He knew?

Regina, equally taken aback, watched Iker.

"I received the recording after our wedding," he continued. "Had I known earlier, we wouldn't be here now. But since you were so eager to join the Lewis family, prepare to endure a lifetime of suffering."

With that, Iker turned away, leaving Adaline behind.

Regina, still fuming, pointed an accusing finger at Adaline, voicing her resolve to make every moment of Adaline's life with the Lewis family a living hell. Adaline would pay for the shame she brought upon them.

As Regina departed, Adaline, teary-eyed, clung to Helga. “Mom... Why is Lilah so vengeful?"

Helga, teeth clenched, whispered, “Because Lilah isn't your real sister. She never was."

Adaline was dumbfounded. Weren't they twins?

Catching sight of Matthew's entrance, Helga quickly signaled to Adaline to keep silent.

Adaline was lost in thought. Everything made sense; Lilah's persistent antagonism wasn't mere sibling rivalry. They weren't real siblings, to begin with. Adaline's reservations about showing Lilah mercy now seemed misplaced.

As Matthew approached, fury evident, Helga rose, tears streaming, and voiced her fears. "You're here to berate Adaline as well? If so, perhaps we both should just end our suffering now."

Matthew, taken aback, remained silent, grappling with the sight of his distraught family.

Helga persisted. "Do you even know why Adaline went to these Lengths?