Andrew Lane's eyebrows drew together in a tense line.

Isabella's father's heart ached. He couldn't stand to hear Andrew criticize his precious daughter. From the moment he'd seen Andrew today, the young man had worn the same stern, furrowed expression—there was a trace of worry for Isabella in his eyes, but mostly there was silence, a heavy solemnity.

He must blame Isabella, her father thought bitterly.

Andrew was a good man. After what Isabella had done, it was only natural he'd be angry with her. If he were in Andrew's shoes, he'd feel the same way-who wouldn't resent discovering the person they loved had gone so far as to hurt someone for the sake of reputation and money?

Before Andrew could say anything, Isabella's father reached out and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Andrew, I'm going to swallow my pride and ask you to really listen to what I have to say."

"I'm listening," Andrew replied.

Isabella's father took a steadying breath. "Isabella... she isn't our biological daughter. That's why, over the years, she's drifted further and further from the family."

Andrew's eyes flickered with surprise.

"It was something we discovered a few years ago," Isabella's father continued quietly. "The whole family found out at once. Her mother and I agreed-we couldn't tell Isabella. But you know how families are. Someone always has to gossip, and eventually, she heard about it."

"After her grandfather learned Isabella wasn't his real granddaughter, his attitude toward her changed completely. He made it clear, again and again, that he wanted to find his real flesh and blood. Isabella knew, though she never said a word. Her mother and I could see how anxious she was, how scared. She used to be so proud, but she started spending more and more time in the kitchen, cooking nourishing meals and bringing them to her grandpa-trying to win him over. But he always refused her, cold and distant."

"Worse, her grandfather took back every share of the company he'd given her. Didn't leave her a single one."

“She wasn't just afraid the Austin family wouldn't accept her she was terrified you wouldn't love her anymore. She cares about you so much, Andrew, loves you more than anything. She started to believe her background wasn't good enough for you, that the only way she could be worthy was to prove herself in her career. It became an obsession."

Andrew's frown deepened.

"Over time, she became desperate to prove herself to show she was just as good as any of the other Austin kids. She poured everything into her piano studies, but when she didn't see results, she came up with the idea of paying someone to take her place."

"At first, her mother and I tried to stop her, but she broke down in tears. We couldn't bear it, so we let her go ahead. We never dreamed she'd go so far. That's on me—if only I'd put my foot down, maybe none of this would have happened. Andrew, you have to believe me, she's always been a kind, good-hearted girl..."

Deep lines etched Isabella's father's face, and his hair had gone noticeably grayer. Tears finally slipped down his cheeks.

"I'm not saying all this to ask you to forgive her, or to excuse what she's done. I'm just begging you—please, help us keep this out of the press. If word gets out, if the world finds out what she did... I don't think she could survive it when she wakes up.” "We know she made a terrible mistake, and we'll accept whatever consequences the law brings. I'm not trying to guilt you, but Andrew-she only did this because she wanted so badly for you to keep loving her. You mean everything to her..."

He let out a sad, helpless laugh. "Sometimes I think, in her heart, you're even more important to her than her mother and I ever were."