Meanwhile, Victor rushed to Lina Marek, his young assistant, convinced she would give him “his son.”

He paid for a suite at the Val-Blanc Clinic, sure he was about to experience a glorious moment.

When the day came, he boasted everywhere about the birth of “his heir.” But a few minutes later, a nurse came to fetch him to sign some documents. He walked down the corridor, swelling with pride… until the door opened.

And his smile froze. Standing before him was Madame Delmas, as upright as a wall.
— “I came to see this so-called son you’re boasting about.”