Richard's Past -Henry or just Richard

Dominic read through Richard's identity files, scoffing and chuckling to himself. Caleb, noticing his reaction, asked, "Do you know him Dominic?it seems he's a little familiar to you"

"I can't say I know him personally," Dominic began, staring out the window. "But I do know him. Let me tell you how."

~Six years ago, Ciprus, 1805~

Dominic continued, "I was 17 and grieving the loss of our deceased friend when I accompanied my father to a place called the Dark River Penthouse. My father was there to make a deal with the founder of the penthouse."

Dominic's father and the penthouse owner, Bruno Berbill, shook hands. Dominic's father, Victor Brusward, stood at 5'11" and was in his 50s, with black hair touched with white at the front, curly like Dominic's. Dominic's unique strawberry blonde hair came from his deceased mother, Marie Brusward. Her family had a distinguished strawberry blonde trait very unique and beautiful signified the status of their family, but Marie's downfall came when she betrayed her own family and became involved in criminal activities with Victor and died as a result of cohabiting and marrying a criminal like Mr Brusward.

The penthouse owner, Bruno Berbill, was 5'10", in his 40s, with brown hair and a scar over one eye. Dominic recalled, "I didn't remember the details of the deal—just another stupid illegal business. Then we heard a knock on the door."

Bruno and his thugs brandished their weapons. Bruno, holding a long gun, demanded, "Who goes there?" When he opened the door, he found a young boy, about the same age as his dealer's son.

Dominic sighed as he narrated, "The boy was frail, shivering in the snow, begging for help, money, or food. Bruno dismissed him harshly, saying, 'Go back to where you came from; we don't have anything.'"

Dominic, moved by compassion, spoke up, "Wait… Sir, it's dangerous out there. He could die in the cold. How would you feel if it were your child?" His question made everyone silent and they turned to him the atmosphere was quiet for a while.

"I felt compassion for him. The weather was brutal that night, and I feared he might be eaten by wild animals. Since my mother's death and the loss of others dear to me, I still had some pity left. But my father rebuked me for caring about a stranger's life over a business deal. He slapped me in front of everyone, and just as he raised his hand to hit me again, Bruno intervened."Dominic clenched his hands while he was narrating everything to Caleb "My father is a heartless human being even to his children "

Bruno, moved by Dominic's words and his own past pain, said, "Your son is truly a smart one." He then turned to the shivering boy and asked, "What's your name, son?"he looked at the boy like he was the fragile boy's father he always wanted a male child, but he was impotent and because of that he was betrayed by his lover leaving him for another man because he can't give her children, since then he's then he lived in the dark and was bitter all his lifetime, hearing his dealer's son words and seeing the dying stranger his heart softened looking at the shivering boy with fatherly passion.

The boy replied, "Henry," trembling. Bruno, expressing regret, added, "I've always wanted a son to inherit my teachings. I'm sorry for how I treated you before." He patted Henry's head and said, "From now on, your name will be Henry Berbill." Bruno then instructed his men to take Henry in and continued with the deal with Victor and signed the papers.

"Henry became Bruno's own," Dominic continued. "He was publicly declared as Bruno's love child, which everyone believed. Henry was trained, homeschooled, and went on missions with Bruno. My father involved him in missions with my brother, and as I was already planning to leave my family after what happened to my mother, Henry's presence only added to my distress. Now, this bastard is in my wife's bed every night. I doubt he even remembers me. He did terrible things with my brother, but I heard they are no longer working together. It's not my concern anymore."

Caleb, concerned, asked, "What happened to your mother?"

Dominic slammed his fist on the table, his anger palpable. "My father lied. She didn't commit suicide; she was murdered."

Caleb, seeing Dominic's trembling fist, asked, "What really happened to her?"Dominic held back his tears.

Before Dominic could answer, Evangeline barged into the office. "Dominic, do you need something?" she asked, while Magdalene stood outside. Caleb greeted Evangeline and, bowing his head, excused himself and left the office with Magdalene. He sighed, "Another drama begins," as he glanced at the door, and Magdalene giggled at his comment.

Dominic, rubbing his forehead, said, "Where have you been? I've been waiting." He looked at Evangeline's outfit he was attracted by her beauty fitting the clothing and her visible hips revealing itself because of the clothing.

"I've been dealing with personal matters, including attending to my greenhouse plants, which had died," she replied, omitting the details about Richard.

"So, you have a talent for gardening too? An artist, a ballet dancer, and now a gardener—I'm lucky to have such a talented wife," Dominic said, his tone turning mocking. "Unfortunately, my dear wife lacks the skill to handle a gun and nearly died in my hands, trembling like a frightened mouse from a cat." He laughed maniacally. "I'm curious about other hidden skills you might have, especially in the bedroom with your bodyguard."He said looking at her with a slight smirk on his handsome face.

"Bastard!" Evangeline retorted, picking up his wine cup and pouring it on his face. Dominic, unfazed and enjoying her reaction, stood up, seductively licking a drop of wine from his face.

Surprised by his attitude, Evangeline threw the cup at him, missing her target and it shattered on the floor. Magdalene and Caleb, hearing the glass break exchanged looks and glanced at each other and said "Uh Oh" as Caleb facepalms in distress shaking his head.

Dominic shook his head in disappointment, clicking his tongue, walked to his drawer and brought out some heavy cover books about Evangeline's mother hotel he opened one of the books and pulled out a paper and placed it in on the table in front of Evangeline

"Sign this, I'm running out of time" He said tapping his fingers on the paper with urgency.

~CHAPTER END~