Chapter 79. Portia's Demise (2)

“Cough, cough…. Dear, is it really true?” Rati asked softly, glancing at her husband with an enquiring stare rather than at Sphiwe, who stood solid without an ounce of meekness or innocence. 

Joseph sighed helplessly, considering all that had happened up to this point, and said to his wife, "I am afraid it is. We were duped. Someone interfered with Portia's blood sample, forcing her to loathe Helen. This is how we swapped a fake for a fake.” 

Rati's life was turned upside down when she heard this, yet she couldn't help but turn her face to look at this actual child of hers, tears streaming down her cheeks, "child. Can you... can you get closer to me?" 

Rati's sudden emotional breakdown surprised both Joseph and Sphiwe. They both expected her to remain in denial or to act violently against the truth.

Sphiwe sought confirmation from her hen-pecked father. She was scared that the woman would become hostile to her and compel her to flee. And if tha