Bound By His Revenge

FACE FROM THE PAST

---

The old man walking stick layed on the ground



No one moved.



No one spoke.



His eyes remained fixed on Lina as if he had seen someone who should not exist.



"...Impossible," he whispered again.



Lina looked behind her.



Was he talking to someone else?



When she turned back, the old man's eyes were still on her.



Damien quickly stepped forward.



"Grandfather."



The old man didn't respond.



Instead, he slowly walked toward Lina.



Each step was careful.



Each breath sounded heavy.



When he finally stood in front of her, he studied every part of her face.



Her eyes.



Her smile.



Even the small birthmark near her left ear.



His hands trembled.



"What... is your mother's name?"



Lina hesitated.



"Grace Brooks."



The old man closed his eyes.



A deep sigh escaped his lips.



"And your father?"



"Daniel Brooks."



The moment those words left her mouth...



The old man's expression changed completely.



Pain.



Regret.



Disbelief.



They all appeared at once.



Damien noticed it too.



"Grandfather... what's wrong?"



The old man looked at him.



"Take her inside."



His voice was unusually weak.



"We'll talk later."



"But—"



"Now."



Damien rarely argued with anyone.



But seeing his grandfather like this left him with no choice.



He nodded.



"This way."



Lina followed him into the mansion.



The estate was older than Blackwood Mansion.



Family portraits covered the walls.



Every picture told a story.



Lina paused in front of one.



It showed two young men standing side by side.



One was Damien's father.



The other...



She frowned.



The face looked strangely familiar.



Before she could look closer, Damien spoke.



"We're here."



He opened the door to a private sitting room.



"Sit."



Lina obeyed.



She couldn't stay silent anymore.



"Why did your grandfather react like that?"



Damien poured himself a glass of water.



"I don't know."



"You don't?"



"If I did, I wouldn't be standing here asking myself the same question."



Lina looked at him carefully.



For once...



He seemed genuinely confused.



Just then, the door opened.



An elderly housekeeper entered.



"Mr. Blackwood."



"What is it?"



"Your grandfather wishes to see you."



"Alone."



Damien glanced at Lina.



"I'll be back."



The door closed behind him.



Lina looked around the room.



It was quiet.



Too quiet.



Her eyes wandered to an old bookshelf.



One book had been left open.



Curious, she walked closer.



A photograph slipped from its pages.



She bent down and picked it up.



It showed two families smiling together during a picnic.



Children were running across the grass.



She looked closely.



One little girl stood between the adults.



Her eyes widened.



The little girl looked exactly like her.



"What..."



Before she could study the picture further...



A voice came from behind.



"You shouldn't be looking at that."



Lina turned quickly.



It was the elderly housekeeper.



"I'm sorry."



The woman gently took the photograph from her hands.



"You'll only hurt yourself."



"What does that mean?"



The woman looked toward the closed door.



Then back at Lina.



"There are some truths..."



"...that should remain buried."



She placed the photograph back inside the book.



Before Lina could ask another question, the woman quietly left.





---



Meanwhile...



Inside the study...



Damien stood in front of his grandfather.



The old man remained silent for a long time.



Finally, he spoke.



"Where did you find her?"



Damien frowned.



"What do you mean?"



"That girl."



"Lina."



"Where did you find her?"



Damien folded his arms.



"She came to me."



His grandfather slowly shook his head.



"No."



"It wasn't by chance."



"What are you talking about?"



The old man looked out of the window.



"I warned your father years ago."



"I told him that revenge would destroy this family."



Damien's voice became firmer.



"My father was betrayed."



"Yes."



"But not by the people you think."



Silence filled the room.



Damien's heartbeat quickened.



"What does that mean?"



His grandfather slowly turned toward him.



"The truth..."



"...is far more dangerous than you've ever imagined."



Before Damien could ask another question...



The old man suddenly grabbed his chest.



He gasped for air.



"Grandfather!"



Damien rushed forward.



The old man collapsed into his arms.



Outside the study, servants screamed.



Doctors were called immediately.





---



Lina heard the commotion and hurried into the hallway.



"What happened?"



Sarah appeared beside her.



"It's Mr. Edward."



"What?"



"He collapsed."



Lina watched as several people rushed past.



Damien followed closely behind, carrying his grandfather toward the waiting ambulance.



For the first time...



She saw fear on Damien's face.



Not anger.



Not coldness.



Fear.



The ambulance doors slammed shut.



Its siren echoed through the estate as it disappeared down the road.



Damien stood in silence.



His fists were clenched.



Sarah walked toward him carefully.



"Sir..."



He didn't answer.



Instead, he reached into his pocket.



There was a folded piece of paper.



His grandfather had slipped it into his hand just before collapsing.



With trembling fingers, Damien unfolded it.



Only one sentence was written inside.



Don't marry Lina... unless you want her to die too.



Damien's face lost all color.



Behind him...



Lina unknowingly walked closer.



She had no idea that the words on that paper were about to change both of their lives forever.