บท 27: Unwanted Child
Dominic walked into the office with Caleb and saw a man around 27 years old waiting for him. His name was Fredrick Loverhart, his business partner in real estate and also Dominic's namesake.
"Ah, it's been a long time, Mr. Dominic—or should I say sire?" Fredrick chuckled at Dominic while he bowed his head. Fred had a finely carved mustache and short black hair. Standing at 6'1", he was elegant in everything he did and treated etiquette like it was a basic necessity.
Dominic just chuckled and gestured with his hand for Fred to stop bowing. "No need for formalities, Fred. We're equals, regardless of my current position, and now I'm a married man," he said as he sat on the sofa in the office. Caleb walked over, placed a bottle of wine and two glasses on the table between them, and nodded as Dominic thanked him before excusing himself and leaving the room.
Fred sat down on the sofa opposite Dominic and pulled out some documents for Dominic to review.
"Ah yes, congratulations, Dominic," he said as he opened the wine bottle, poured wine into one of the glasses, and took a sip. "She hasn't changed a bit. I remember trying to greet her at the gallery, and she passed by like I didn't exist. I wanted to be friends with her because she's such an intelligent and beautiful woman with a lot of remarkable skills—unlike any woman I've met. I usually make friends easily, so I thought it wouldn't be a problem with her." He laughed slightly.
"Indeed, she is talented," Dominic replied, "but making friends with her? That's not happening. You'll wait till you grow white hair and die alone; your efforts will be in vain." He spoke with a teasing tone mixed with seriousness while scanning through the documents with an emotionless composure.
Fred, hearing Dominic's words, gasped dramatically and said in a frightened tone, "White hair?! Grow old?! You're cruel!" He pulled out his handkerchief and began dabbing his eyes elegantly, starting to cry but holding it in. "I can't imagine growing old and becoming like a vegetable,I won't see pretty women anymore! This evil bastard.. you're heartless! " he thought to himself as he cleaned his tears.
"I'm just being honest. She's cold to everything related to me, like I'm a cancer to her because I'm a Brusward," Dominic sighed, opening the second document. "The only thing she tolerates is Caleb," he added.
"What? Why? Is it because he's cute?" Fred raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious.
"Because he's a friend of her brother, just like I was, and he resembles her brother a lot, except for the hair color," Dominic replied, still scanning the second document.
"Oh? I see. Same eye color, same glasses, except for the hair. Hmm, makes sense." Fred pouted a little, pondering the reason before nodding. "I understand that. I feel a little sad for her," he said in a sympathetic tone.
"Also, nobody in this house is younger than Evangeline, except for the servants' children. Not only does Caleb have a similar appearance to Zard, but he's also like an elder brother to her—well, he's actually a year older than her. Anyway, enough chit-chat. I can see there are a lot of lands available to buy in Eardoznia, or like the one we saw in Lumeria together a year after I cut ties with my family." Dominic waved the papers slightly. "You have good taste, Freddie..."
"Yes, yes, I know. But Dominic, there's something that's been troubling my mind lately." Fred poured himself more wine.
"Oh? What is it? I'm listening," Dominic replied, going through the third document.
"It's about the man with Evangeline—I mean, her bodyguard. He's the one, isn't he?" Fred asked, concerned. Dominic remained indifferent, showing no reaction or emotion, like a stone as he read through the files.
"Look at yourself, Dominic. You married this woman on a contract, or should I say an arranged marriage. Are you really okay with them sharing the same bed while you're in the same house with them?" Fred began nagging at Dominic like he was his brother, even though they weren't related by blood. "And you're her husband! For goodness' sake, he's dangerously good-looking. I saw him at the gallery with her."
"There's a reason I'm letting them be. I have everything under control, so just drop it, Fred. I'm not ready for this conversation." As Fred was about to say something, Dominic raised his hand, gesturing for him to stop.
"I know what you want to say—if there's a chance of my marriage working out with her. Well, as you can see, maybe, maybe not. I'm just doing my job and following her grandmother's orders. She wants us to have children as well," Dominic said with a neutral look, as Fred started wheezing at the word "children."
---
**At a Small Bar in Verdaselles**
A man with strawberry-blonde mixed with silver mid-length hair, a handsome face marked by a scar over his right eye and another small one at the corner of his mouth, was enjoying a beer. His name was Edward Sylen Brusward, Dominic's elder brother. He had an appointment with Eliza today, as planned over a phone call. "So, Eliza has returned. Interesting. I'm looking forward to meeting her," he said to himself as a dancer caressed his chest, making him laugh.
Eliza walked into the bar wearing a black dress. She glanced around, rolling her eyes, clearly uncomfortable with the atmosphere. Edward saw her and waved, signaling her to come over. She saw him, walked towards him, and sat beside him. The dancer noticed Eliza and looked furious at her presence. Edward saw the dancer's reaction and tipped her to calm down. She snatched the money from his hand angrily and left, causing Edward to scoff slightly at her reaction as she walked away.
"It's been a while, Edward. I see you were having fun while I was away," Eliza said as Edward caressed her thigh and whispered in her ear, "Did you miss me?" He raised her skirt a little as they sat, but Eliza gently removed his hand from her thigh.
"You know we have something to talk about," she replied, taking his cup of beer and sipping from it as the music buzzed around them.
"About having another child? Since the last one we had died?" Edward smirked, stroking her hair and kissing her cheek.
"Not another child. It's about Dominic and his marriage," she replied, causing Edward to clench his fingers around her jaw. She struggled to breathe as jealousy and hatred filled his eyes. He stared at her breasts, then let her jaw go, and she gasped for breath.
"You mean that unwanted bastard child?" Edward sneered, making Eliza look at him in surprise.
"Unwanted child? What do you mean?" Eliza asked, confused by Edward's words. "Cutting ties with your family?" she added, taking a deep breath.
"Not that, Eliza," Edward replied, his tone darkening. "My mother wanted to abort him because my father didn't want more children. But she got pregnant with Dominic. She wanted to abort him, but it backfired and affected her health. My father, however, took a liking to Dominic and was going to make him the head of the house. But now it's over; he's married to that girl from the Sarogath family and is the current governor of the country." He sighed, calling the waitress for more drinks and slapping her behind without giving her any money.
"Unwanted child..." Eliza murmured, clenching her hands, lost in thought over Edward's explanation. "So your parents never wanted him," she said, watching Edward drink his beer.
"Of course not. He's out of the family now, and that word is already defining his life—unwanted by his parents, his family, and even his wife, who constantly has issues with him," Edward cackled and took another sip from his beer.
**NB:** Dominic was born into a family that never truly wanted him. His parents, overwhelmed by the challenges of their own lives, saw his birth as an inconvenience rather than a blessing. They had dreams and ambitions that didn't include raising a child, and from the very beginning, Dominic felt this cold rejection. His mother, struggling with her own demons, often looked at him with a distant gaze, her eyes filled with regret and sorrow. His father, preoccupied with his failing business, growing debts, and illegal dealings, saw Dominic as just another mouth to feed, another burden to bear, and eventually started involving him in his criminal activities.
As Dominic grew older, the neglect became more apparent. He was often left alone for hours, sometimes days, with nothing but his own thoughts for company, except when someone he adored was hunted down. The house, filled with shadows and echoes of resentment, was no home for him, He learned to fend for himself by cutting ties with his family and finding solace in books he discovered at the local library. He had a natural gift for learning and quickly absorbed everything he could get his hands on. His intelligence became his refuge, a way to escape the harsh reality of being unwanted.
Despite the cold shoulder from his father after his mother's death, Dominic was blessed with striking beauty and an almost magnetic charm. His peers were drawn to him, but he never let anyone too close, fearing they would see the pain he hid behind his dazzling smile. His intelligence and good looks made him popular, but he remained distant, always keeping people at arm's length.
As he entered adulthood, Dominic decided to use his gifts to change his circumstances. He knew he couldn't count on anyone but himself, so he worked tirelessly, putting his sharp mind to good use. He quickly climbed the social ladder, using his charm and intellect to win the favor of influential people, despite the criticism he faced because of his family's background.
He met Azielle, who was as ambitious as he was. She saw the potential in him, recognizing not just his intelligence but the fire that drove him—a fire born out of years of neglect and longing. She married her granddaughter, Evangeline, to him, and together they became a formidable team, with Dominic as a matrilocal husband while watching over Evangeline. Their ambitions intertwined, and Dominic's ability to connect with people, to understand what they wanted and how to give it to them, propelled him into politics.
With each step forward, Dominic was haunted by the ghosts of his past. Every success was tinged with the sadness of knowing that he had achieved it all on his own, without the love or support of the family who had discarded him. He became a governor, admired by many for his intelligence and charisma, but deep down, he remained that lonely man, unwanted and unloved. His influence grew, but so did the void inside him—a void that no amount of power or success could ever fill.
Dominic's rise to power was a testament to his resilience and brilliance, but it was also a stark reminder of the sadness that shaped him. He had the beauty, the brains, and the influence, but behind the facade was a heart that had been broken too many times—a soul that yearned for the love it never received.
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Joeclaire
Joeclaire Eliza broke up with Dominic when he turned 18, shortly after getting pregnant by Edward. She cheated on Dominic because he had been stripped of the Bruswards' head position after leaving due to a traumatic experience caused by his father's manipulation. The position was given to Edward instead. Eliza left Dominic for Edward, drawn by the power and status that came with Edward's new role.
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