She stepped closer, looking at Sylvandria with a firm but not cruel expression.
"You feared the judgment of others. You feared hurting Yue. You feared people misjudging Lu Zhen's character. I don't blame you for worrying about us. But…" her gaze hardened slightly, "you still shouldn't have done that. Even if you are their mother, you cannot keep children away from their father. You should have let him know."
Sylvandria's throat tightened, but she nodded.
Shen Ling then turned toward Mark, her tone shifting into something sharper.
"And you, Lu Zhen." Her eyes narrowed. "Why did you never tell us about your relationship with Sylvandria? Why were we kept in the dark? I have a complaint against you."
Mark sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead.
"I know. I know you're right. I should have told you long ago." He glanced around at everyone, the wives, his parents, Lan Jing, and the children clinging to skirts and sleeves. "But anything I say now will sound like excuses."
