The Bruswards Family 2

"Did he really have to ask this question? His mission here is to find out about his mother, to uncover, what really happened to Marie." Oliver clenched his jaw, doing his best to avoid Dominic's piercing gaze. He could feel his heart race as he swallowed hard, then took a deep breath to steady himself.

"The Capulets are... significant stakeholders," Oliver began, his voice more measured than he felt. His eyes dropped to his cup of tea, watching his reflection ripple in the dark liquid. "They're in charge of the Ministry of Finance in Eardoznia, and they own several businesses and companies in the region. At least, from what I could remember."

His fingers tightened around the handle of the cup. "From what I could remember? He scoffed inwardly at his own hesitation. "Tch. Ridiculous. I remember everything about my family. Every business deal, every enterprise they've built. Sitting here with Victor's son is just another chance to bide my time, to play this game until it's in my favor"

Dominic, who had been silently observing Oliver's every move, let out a quiet chuckle. The sound was low and controlled, but it was enough to make Oliver's head snap up. He met Dominic's eyes, the tension between them thickening in the air.

Oliver's thoughts raced. He knew that the Capulets controlled Eardoznia's financial infrastructure—securing trade routes, manipulating interest rates, and even investing heavily in the coal and textile industries. Their influence stretched beyond borders, from Eardoznia to neighboring countries where they had political allies. He also knew Dominic was well aware of these facts. "What game was he playing now?"Oliver thought with caution

"Is something amusing you, Brusward?" Oliver's voice carried an edge, his patience already wearing thin.

Dominic leaned back slightly in his chair, his lips curving into a slight, knowing smirk. "It's just… amusing to hear you speak so formally about your family, as if you're detached from it all. Like a distant observer." He thought as he gestured lazily with his hand, his casual movements a stark contrast to the intensity in his eyes. " You remember more than you let on."he added.

Oliver felt his grip tighten involuntarily around his cup. He could feel Dominic's gaze drilling into him, and the familiar sensation of frustration mixed with suspicion began to rise in his chest. There was something unnerving about Dominic—his Lucifer-like charm and calm demeanor, always masking deeper intentions.

"The Capulets have their hands in everything, don't they?" Dominic continued, his voice a silken thread of insinuation. "Finance, shipping, textiles... even coal mining, if I recall. They could easily strangle the economy if they chose. I wonder, does the Ministry of Finance follow their orders, or is it the other way around?"

Oliver's breath hitched slightly. Dominic was digging, trying to provoke him. And worse, he was too close to the truth.

"Oh, that's interesting. I take it you're a close friend of the Capulets—or perhaps not, since your hair color might have offended them," Dominic said deliberately, his tone cold and teasing. The comment hit its mark as Oliver's grip tightened around the cup handle, knuckles whitening.

"The audacity of this boy… Victor really birthed and trained a terrifying fellow," Oliver thought, suppressing the urge to snap back. Instead, he let out a controlled sigh, trying to regain his composure. Dominic, noticing the reaction, smiled ever so slightly. He raised his hand in a casual, almost dismissive wave, as if to reassure Oliver that there was nothing to worry about.

"It's fine…" Dominic said, his voice smooth and unbothered. He took another calm sip of his tea, the delicate clink of the cup against the saucer the only sound between them for a moment. "I was just curious about the Capulet business. No wonder they've had to keep me in the news."

He spoke as if this were a simple chat over tea, but the underlying tension simmered beneath his calm facade. Dominic then reached into his pocket with a slow, deliberate motion and pulled out a small photograph. Without a word, he placed it in front of Oliver, brushing his delicate slender fingers lightly over the worn edges. The photo showed his mother and father together. His slender fingers traced the outline of Marie's face as Oliver's eyes widened slightly in shock.

"Do you know this woman, Marie Capulet?" Dominic asked, his voice measured and emotionless. He was testing Oliver, trying to see how far he could push him, pretending not to know the truth about his own mother. It was a carefully laid trap to force Oliver to reveal more than he intended.

Oliver hesitated, then asked, "Where did you get this picture from?" His voice carried a hint of curiosity, though his fingers instinctively rose to his chin as he studied the photo.

Dominic didn't flinch. He tapped his fingers lightly on the picture, his eyes locked coldly onto Oliver. "Just answer the question," he said, his tone calm but carrying a quiet command. His eyes, devoid of warmth, made Oliver shift uncomfortably in his seat. The rhythmic tapping of Dominic's fingers on the photo only heightened the tension.

Oliver sighed, lowering his head and blinking a few times to steady himself. He could feel the weight of Dominic's piercing stare, a gaze so calm and composed that it was far more unnerving than any outward anger. "He's after Marie's history… if that's what he wants, fine" Oliver thought, resigning himself. He raised his head to meet Dominic's cold, calculating eyes.

"Yes, I've heard of Marie Deinan Capulet. She was once the heiress to the Capulet stakeholding business, but she… she gave that up."

As Oliver spoke, his fists clenched in anger, the muscles in his jaw tightening. He didn't need to finish for Dominic to understand the gravity of the situation. Dominic remained silent, watching every subtle movement—how Oliver's anger manifested through his clenched fists, the flash of bitterness in his eyes. It confirmed something Dominic had suspected: Oliver missed his sister deeply.

"Marie Deinan Capulet?" Dominic echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Her identification documents said she was just Marie Dennie Erisville, and my father said she was an orphan…" His mind raced. "I need to find the missing pieces of this puzzle" He turned his gaze back to Oliver, his face unreadable, but the tap of his fingers on the photograph grew more deliberate.

"And what did she do?" Dominic asked quietly, though his question carried weight.

Oliver's lips thinned as he struggled to contain the frustration building inside him. He finally answered, his voice taut with a little emotion. "She gave up her dignity… for a man named Victor Brusward. That was before he was deported from Eardoznia."

Dominic's expression remained impassive, but inwardly, he noted the significance of the revelation. He raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of surprise passing through his mind. "Victor… deported?"

"My father wasn't Verdesellan?" Dominic mused silently, his fingers poised above the teapot as he poured another cup of tea. "He was deported from Eardoznia?"His curiosity deepened, stirring old suspicions. "It seems my father committed many crimes here". He dropped a cube of sugar into the cup, watching it dissolve slowly. The revelation gnawed at him: Had everything Victor ever told him been a lie?

"Why was he deported?" Dominic asked, his voice calm as he added milk to the tea, the porcelain clinking softly as he stirred. The rhythmic motion of the spoon was soothing, though his mind was far from it. "I mean… Victor Brusward," he clarified, his cold demeanor barely concealing the whirlwind of questions swirling in his head: What crimes had his father truly committed? Was he even from Verdaselles ?

Oliver shifted in his seat, hesitating for a moment as his mind flashed back to darker times. "Does Dominic really not know the truth about his father?"He thought

"The Bruswards," Oliver began, his voice low and bitter, "were infamous for their… proclivities. Particularly with children—female children. Human trafficking. It was well-known in certain circles. Leon Brusward was entangled with a man named Javier Duncan. He and Leon Brusward—were close associates, both heavily involved in the illegal trafficking business. They made a fortune off the suffering of others."

Dominic listened intently, though his face betrayed no emotion, his spoon still gently stirring the tea as if the conversation held no weight. But his thoughts raced. "Human trafficking? Female children?" He'd never heard whispers of this from his father.

"One day," Oliver continued, leaning forward slightly, "Leon Brusward made a grave mistake. He owed Javier Duncan a substantial debt—money he had borrowed to keep their illegal operations afloat. With his drug business crumbling, Leon offered his own son—Victor—as payment to cover the debt. He threw his son into that world, forced him to join Javier's heinous proclivities."

Dominic's hand faltered for a split second, the spoon clinking sharply against the side of the teacup. He masked his reaction quickly, but inside, the revelation twisted something deep within him. "Victor was used as payment?"He asked Oliver curiously.

"The government eventually caught wind of their operations," Oliver said, his gaze darkening. "The illegal businesses collapsed. Their assets were seized, their properties sold off. The Bruswards were fined heavily, and Leon was sentenced to life in prison. Victor... well, that's where things get darker."

Dominic leaned back slightly, watching Oliver intently now, his curiosity piqued. "Go on."

"Javier, his business partner betrayed Leon to wash his hands off the crime leaving Leon alone, was the next target of Leon's revenge. Victor, filled with hatred for what happened to him and his family, murdered Javier Duncan in cold blood. He forged documents, changed signatures, and took control of Duncan's estate. That was how he rebuilt the Brusward empire from its ashes."

Dominic stared down at the tea in his cup, his reflection distorted in the swirling liquid." So, Victor wasn't just a criminal… he was a product of his father's betrayal. But what else did he hide from me?"His mind raced to the things he was hearing, lost in thoughts and processing them slowly.

Oliver paused, seemingly hesitant to continue. "Marie... she was caught in the middle of it all."

Dominic's gaze snapped up. "What do you mean?"

Oliver's eyes clouded over, as if recalling a memory that had long haunted him. "Marie…,"he thought bitterly. "Marie was the heiress of the Capulet estate, but when she met Victor, everything changed. At first, she didn't know about his past—how could she? But eventually, she learned the truth, and it nearly destroyed her. Victor promised her everything, but in the end, he dragged her down with him. She gave up her dignity, her legacy, for that man."

A flash of anger crossed Oliver's face, his fists clenching unconsciously. "One of the reasons Victor was deported because the Eardoznian government finally caught up to the family illegal business and drug abuse. They linked him to his father's past crimes and Javier's murder. They sent him away by Leon's request but by then, Marie was already in too deep. She followed him, abandoning everything… the Capulet name. For Victor."

Dominic remained silent, his fingers tightening around the teacup. He had always known his father was ruthless and a known criminal, but the full extent of his father's darkness was finally laid bare. "Marie gave up everything for him? Why?"

"Why did she follow him?" Dominic asked, his voice colder now, as he struggled to keep his emotions in check.

Oliver shook his head, his expression unreadable. "Love… or maybe fear. I'll never know for sure. But one thing's certain—The Bruswards caused a lot of havoc in the past "

Dominic raised his eyebrow and asked"Is there More?" Oliver nodded and continued his story.

"Before Javier died, he knew that betraying Leon would put him in danger. He was well aware that Victor, serving him at the time, could turn on him. So, he sent his daughter, Erica Duncan, away to keep her safe," Oliver began, his voice lowering as he approached the darkest part of the story. "But unfortunately, Victor's brothers caught up with the vehicle she was using to escape. They ambushed her, killing the driver… then…" Oliver paused, his breath hitching.

Dominic remained stoic, though the subtle clench of his fists betrayed his mounting tension. Inside, he felt a growing sense of dread, but outwardly, he appeared as cold and unreadable as ever.

"They… raped her. One by one. Then they buried her alive," Oliver continued, his voice shaking with disgust. He swallowed hard, the memory too much to bear, and instinctively brought his hand to his mouth, as if to stifle the bile rising in his throat. "They left her body buried, with only her head exposed..."

Dominic's stomach twisted at the horrifying image, but not a muscle on his face moved. He clenched his fists tighter, the force causing his knuckles to pale, but he refused to give Oliver the satisfaction of seeing him break.

"What did they do to her?" Dominic asked, his voice deceptively calm, though each word seemed to hang heavily in the air.

Oliver, still fighting back his nausea, took a deep breath. "They shot her in the head... and fled. They took Javier's wealth and left the country, waiting for Victor to join them later."

There was a heavy silence between them as the full weight of the story settled in the atmosphere. Dominic stared down at the table, his thoughts racing, but his expression was as cold and distant as ever. Inside, however, he felt a growing regret, a creeping realization that he was linked to these monstrous acts through blood.

"That was what led to Victor's arrest," Oliver continued, finally regaining his composure. "But the scandal didn't just end there. His arrest tarnished the Capulet family's reputation. Victor had been in a secret relationship with Marie Capulet at the time. When the truth came out, it was a disaster."

Dominic didn't react visibly, though his mind raced. "My father's actions stained the Capulet name as well. And Marie... she stayed by his side through it all?"

Oliver sighed heavily, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "Instead of Victor being charged with murder, Leon took the fall. He sacrificed himself, taking full responsibility for the crimes of the Brusward family—the illegal business, Javier's murder, and Erica's death. In return, Victor was spared a life sentence. Leon's reputation wasn't spotless, but he had done enough good deeds to convince the courts to show leniency. Victor was deported instead of imprisoned."

Dominic's jaw tightened as Oliver's words sank in. "Leon paid for Victor's sins, and still, Victor kept going, unburdened. But why?"

"Marie… she was pregnant with Victor's child," Oliver added, his voice tinged with bitterness. "The Capulets found out and demanded that she abort the child and leave Victor. They wanted to protect the family's reputation, but Marie refused. She wouldn't get rid of the child, even though it endangered her health."

Dominic's grip on the teacup tightened to the point where the fragile porcelain nearly cracked, but he remained silent. His heart beat heavily in his chest as he processed Oliver's words.

Oliver sighed deeply, his tone softening with a mix of sadness and frustration. "Marie had health problems from the day she was born. Heart disease… the treatment was a little successful enough for her to survive"

Dominic's mind flashed back to memories of his elder sister, Anette. She had the same fragile condition worse than his mother.

"Anette had heart disease too," Dominic thought quietly, though he kept his voice measured. "My father always claimed it was due to drug abuse, said that Marie's condition weakened her mentally. But it wasn't that. It was genetic. Edward and I were fortunate not to inherit it."He thought as he gritted his teeth.

The memories of his mother's frail state, her constant weakness, flooded his mind, yet Dominic forced them down, his expression remaining cold and composed. Even now, with all the weight of his family's sins hanging over him, he refused to show vulnerability to Oliver.

Dominic sat in silence, his mind racing with everything he had just learned. "My father... my family... all of this, built on blood and betrayal. And Marie… she suffered for it."

"They didn't want her to bear Victor's child," Oliver continued, his voice laced with bitterness. "Because of her refusal on aborting the child, they stripped Marie of her inheritance and shares—without her knowledge. When she went to withdraw money to leave and survive with the child, hoping to find Victor and join him, she was told at the bank that her account had been emptied and blocked by the family."

Dominic's eyes narrowed slightly, though his face remained composed. "They took everything from her?"

"The shock… it was too much for her," Oliver added, his tone heavy. "She suffered a miscarriage right there in the bank, leaving a pool of blood on the floor. She collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital. The Capulet family was contacted, but they turned a blind eye. They wanted nothing to do with her. By the next morning, when the doctors went to check on her, Marie was gone. She had disappeared from the ward without a trace."

Dominic's heart tightened, but he kept his expression cold, only raising his head slightly as he spoke. "Could it have been Victor who took her?"

Oliver nodded as he took a sip of his tea. "Most likely. Who else would've taken her? Marie was beautiful—almost goddess-like. No one in Eardoznia could forget her. But after that day… it was as if she vanished. The light of Eardoznia faded with her, though the country moved on."

As Oliver finished his story, Dominic remained silent, staring down at his tea. He realized the liquid had gone cold, but he drank it anyway, indifferent to the taste or temperature. His mind was far from the present.

"So... I had an elder sibling. A child that never got the chance to live. Lost before Edward, Anette, and I were even born". The revelation hit him harder than he'd expected, but he refused to show any sign of weakness in front of Oliver. His hands, however, betrayed him—his fists clenched tightly beneath the table as he fought to keep control over his emotions.

"They took everything from her," Dominic thought, his eyes flicking to the sky through the window. Stripped her of her inheritance, her dignity, and even her child... And Victor"— he hesitated, a surge of anger rising within him, "my father—he couldn't protect her but he eventually did by kidnapping her".

Dominic forced the rising pain and regret deep down, locking it away in the depths of his mind where no one could see it. On the outside, he appeared as cold and calculating as ever, but inside, the weight of his family's sins pressed heavily on his heart.

"Nothing will change", he reminded himself, staring out into the distance. "I'm a Brusward and a Verdesellan by birth. It's already happened, and I can't undo it."

Still, despite everything, Dominic managed to find a small spark of pride within himself. "In the midst of all this darkness, I've made some progress. I've built my own path. I have a family now.. and a cranky wife". The thought brought a faint smile to his lips, though it was fleeting.

But as the moment passed, the cold reality returned. Dominic remained locked in his thoughts, his pain hidden from the world, as he stared at the now-empty teacup.

Though no emotion crossed his face, deep down, regret twisted inside him—a regret that, despite his cold demeanor, he could not completely ignore. But he would never let Oliver see it. Instead, he clenched his fists beneath the table, the weight of his family's history

Back in Verdeselles

After thrusting into Magdalene with an almost animalistic fervor making love to her, Edward reached his climax, his breath heavy as he held her chin from behind. He pressed deeper one last time, drawing a moan from her before pulling out, his semen dripping from her, a testament to his dominance. Turning her to face him, he grabbed her waist roughly and kissed her hard on the lips. His breath was hot against her skin as he whispered in her ear, still breathing heavily. His hand caressed her back while his fingers twisted playfully in her hair, a cruel chuckle escaping his lips.

"That's a good girl..." he murmured, his voice low and possessive. "You've got me hooked."

Magdalene remained silent, her body stiffening as she turned her face away from him, trying to hide the conflict within her. Edward, sensing her resistance but caring little for it, released her and stepped back. She sank into the chair nearby, her body trembling, trying to regain composure. He leaned closer, his eyes never leaving her as a twisted smile curled his lips.

"You can resume your duties with Evangeline," he said, his voice cold, "but don't forget your job with me. Also..." He walked over to a table, pulling out a drawer with casual indifference, retrieving a pack of contraceptives. With a cruel smirk, he dropped them onto her lap, as if tossing money at her, an added insult to injury.

Magdalene's heart sank as the pills landed on her thigh. Edward sat on the edge of the table, lighting a cigar with practiced ease. The smoke curled lazily from his mouth and nostrils, clouding the room in a hazy mist. He twirled the cigar between his fingers, spinning it playfully, all while keeping his gaze on her.

"What's going on with Dominic lately?" Edward asked casually, though there was an edge to his voice. "Where's he now?"

Magdalene gulped, bowing her head. "He... he went to attend to some political matters," she lied, her voice trembling slightly. She dared not reveal the truth about Dominic's business trip, especially after the recent failure of Edward's plan to harm Evangeline. She had no desire to face his wrath again.

Edward scoffed, smirking as though amused by her words. He knew she was lying, but the pleasure he'd just experienced softened his reaction. He decided to let the lie pass, for now.

"Oh, that's good then," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I didn't expect that bastard to be good at politics and it's helping the country"

He took another drag from his cigar before continuing, his tone cold and detached. "Freshen up and leave. If there's anything I need to know, tell me. And don't forget those pills—I have no intention of fathering children with people like you."

Edward stood from the table, turning away from her dismissively as he rolled his eyes, his arrogance seeping from every pore. Magdalene, her heart aching with humiliation, stood and headed toward the bathroom, clutching the pills in her hand. As she closed the door behind her, she could hear Edward muttering to himself.

"I need to solve this problem quickly... avoid punishment from the Royal family. And as for Bethany's accomplice..." he slammed his fist against the table in frustration. "I'll deal with him soon enough. Court is in two days."

He paused, staring into the distance. "And Dominic..." he whispered with venom in his voice, "I'll make him pay for this, one way or another."

Later, at Serenity Palace

After leaving the oppressive atmosphere of the Bruswards' home, Magdalene returned to her room at Serenity Palace. She lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her body still trembling. The images of what had just transpired in Edward's bedroom replayed in her mind, a bitter mix of shame, disgust, and sorrow swirling inside her.

Tears silently rolled down her cheeks as she clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. Edward's cruel words, his harsh touch, the way he treated her like a disposable object—it all overwhelmed her. She had no strength to fight back, no voice to speak out. The weight of her entrapment bore down on her like a crushing tide.

Suddenly, she heard a soft voice, one that sent a wave of relief through her heart.

"Magdalene..." The voice was familiar, gentle yet concerned.

Magdalene recognized it immediately. It was Evangeline.

She quickly sat up, instinctively reaching for her cheek, which was still red from Edward's slap. She sighed heavily, trying to compose herself before facing her mistress,

But there was no escape, not yet. Not from Edward's obsession, not from the twisted web she had become entangled.