Never: His Regret

CHAPTER 2: What A Resemblance

FOUR YEARS AFTER

Liam's POV

“Son, come over. We are already seated,” Mum called out as soon as I opened the door.

A slight grin formed on my face as I walked over to the dining room where they were seated. I greeted everyone before taking my seat next to Dad.

Dad groaned, clearing his throat, and I flinched, already knowing what he wanted to say each time he made that sound.

“Liam, when are you going to marry again? It's been four years since you divorced Olivia, and yet you've refused to remarry. Do you know the consequences of your negligence?” he spewed, and I almost repeated his words verbatim. He had said this over a thousand times since Olivia left.

“Honey, just let him be. He's just arrived and hasn't even touched his food,” Mum said, feeling concerned.

My gaze shifted to Dominic. I knew he was going to say something, and as usual, he didn’t disappoint.

“Mum, let Dad speak. I just don’t like how he chooses to be one-sided. Am I not also his son? If Liam has refused to remarry, then why pressure him when I’m still here in this family?” Dominic retorted.

“Calm down, my son. It's necessary for your elder brother to remarry so he can have his rightful share of the inheritance,” Mum explained.

“What rightful share? Isn't it enough that he already controls the two main companies of the family? He also has a school in his name, while I'm left to manage a small company that doesn't even amount to twenty percent of the family’s assets. Isn't that cruel and one-sided?” he snapped angrily.

“Mind your tongue, young man. You are the youngest and should manage what has been given to you until further notice, especially if Liam here refuses to remarry as stated in my will,” Dad said sternly.

I sat there, my appetite gone. I had never realised how much this single issue had been a concern all these years, and it was all Fiona’s fault. She tried to worm her way into my life, presenting Olivia as the unfaithful one, but she was the real cheat. I caught her in the act just a few days after Olivia left, and ever since, I have wallowed in misery, searching for Olivia and the child she claimed she was carrying.

“Dad, I'm not asking for too much. Why not give me the school since Liam is in charge of the two main businesses of the family?” Dominic interjected, pulling me out of my reverie. I raised my brows, a flicker of annoyance crossing my face.

“Enough,” I cut in, narrowing my gaze at him. “You can’t have the school because I built it single-handedly with my own effort. ‘Scarlet Group of Schools’ is my personal property, not a family business,” I snapped. He was already getting on my nerves. I felt like leaving immediately. The cutlery I had just picked up seconds ago dropped hard on the table, making a sharp clicking sound.

“Dad, you see, he’s just not worthy of being the first son,” Dominic asserted, and I seethed.

“Enough!” Dad yelled, but my patience had worn thin. I stood up at once, grabbing my suit jacket and storming out.

“Son, don’t do that,” Mum called out, but her words fell on deaf ears as I was already at the door, closing it behind me.

Seated in the car, the frustration built up once more, and I slammed my hand hard on the seat in anger.

“Sir, is everything alright? Remember the scheduled appointment to pick up the new investors from the airport. It’s just thirty minutes away from their arrival time,” Peter reminded me, and I groaned.

I had worked hard to grow the company, yet instead of applause, all I got was ingratitude and complaints.

Dominic wanted to have it all, even though he knew it was rightfully mine.

The school he was talking about, Scarlet Group of Schools, was built with my own sweat and hard work.

“Sir!” Peter called out again, snapping me back to reality.

“To the airport,” I instructed.

******

"It's about ten minutes left, so I think we should just wait in the car," Peter advised, and I bit the inside of my lip. I wasn't the type to wait for a client, if not for the sudden turn of events at the family dinner, which was supposed to be a happy moment but ended up sour.

My thoughts drifted to Olivia. It’s been four years, yet no sight or clue of her, and all attempts to locate her have proved futile over the years. I remembered her saying she was bleeding, but I was too caught up in the fantasy of having Fiona in my bed to pay attention to her condition.

My heart has pricked me all these years for my cruel actions toward her, and I pray I find her soon, before the deadline I was given. I can't just move on with someone else; my heart yearns for her, and every day, the taunting nightmares of the child haunt me.

"Open the door. I need to use the restroom," I demanded, and the door to the car was opened.

I walked toward the restroom just behind the arrival lot of the airport. Storming in, the sight that greeted me blew me off my feet. I swallowed hard but remained poised as I walked over to the washstand. The urge to use the toilet had dissipated upon seeing the child.

"Have a good day, sir," he greeted while trying to raise himself to reach the washstand and turn on the faucet. I ignored him, but I couldn't deny the shock I felt throughout my entire body. A child that looked just like me? Just a replica, aside from the pointed shape of his nose. It was absurd, but then they say everyone has a look-alike on Earth. This was exceptionally unbelievable.

"Let me help you," I offered, walking up to him and lifting him to reach the level of the washbasin. He turned on the faucet and washed his hands.

Once done, I set him back down.

"Thank you, sir," he said, and I nodded, turning back to my own spot.

"Sir, why do I have a feeling that you look like me?" the young boy asked, causing me to stop in my tracks. My gaze turned in his direction. I wasn’t the type to engage in conversations with children, but this one was different. I found it hard to resist answering him, as if I felt an urge to stay close to him.

"That's because sometimes people who aren’t related can look very much alike," I replied, feeling strangely different inside.

"If that's the case, then let’s say I look like you, right?" he asserted, and I nodded.

I couldn’t keep calm. His choice of words and tone were unusually mature for his age, which I assumed wasn’t above five.

"Alright then, I think I should get going. Mum would be worried by now," he announced, and before I could say a word, he was already at the door. Just then, Peter opened it, and the two almost bumped into each other. The young boy greeted him and walked away, but Peter’s eyes never left him.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Sir, that child looks just like you," he squealed, and I blinked.

"Is that why you came?"

"No, sir. The new investors have arrived and just placed a call."

"Alright, I’ll join you soon."

I couldn’t shake off the urge to find out who this child was with as I hurried over. He said his mother, and that rang a bell in my heart. I would love to meet the mother of this child to learn more about her.

As I rushed out of the restroom, I couldn’t spot the little boy. My gaze darted to every possible corner, but the crowd made it impossible to trace him. I tried harder but grew more frustrated as my hopes dwindled.

Unfortunately, the clients were already standing next to the car by the time I was about to involve Peter in the search, and I couldn’t spot the child either, which was devastating.

*****

The meeting went perfectly well, and I was already feeling drained when Peter walked up to me.

"Anything?" I asked as he scrolled through the tablet he held.

"Sir, the grand opening of that hospital is today, and you know you have an appointment at three-thirty."

"Gosh!" I groaned in frustration. I just needed rest, and now another appointment? I would have turned it down if we didn't need an alliance with the new branch of The Berks Hospitals, known globally for their outstanding reputation. It would be a significant boost to the company if we secured such an alliance with this rapidly growing establishment.

"Alright, get the car ready. I just need to drink some water to ease the stress."

"Alright, sir."