Silence swallowed the study completely.
The rain outside had grown heavier again, crashing violently against the mansion windows while thunder echoed across the dark night.
Inside the room, Jordan Rodriguez stood motionless holding the old photograph tightly in his hand.
The faded picture suddenly felt heavier than it should.
A younger Richard Rodriguez.
An unfamiliar woman.
And a dark-haired little boy standing between them.
Jordan slowly lifted his eyes toward his father again.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerously calm.
“Who is he?”
For the first time in years—
Richard hesitated.
Only briefly.
But Jordan noticed.
And that tiny hesitation changed everything.
Richard walked forward slowly before taking the photograph from Jordan’s hand.
“That picture has nothing to do with you.”
Jor
