CHAPTER 6 The Boy Who Carried Theodore’s Face
CHAPTER 6 The Boy Who Carried Theodore’s Face
The room became completely silent.
Not the peaceful kind of silence.
The kind of silence that came before something broke.
Theodore stared at the photograph sitting on the desk.
His hands felt numb.
His mind refused to understand what his eyes were seeing.
A young man stood beside his parents.
Beside Sebastian.
Beside Rosalie.
And the boy had his face.
Not similar.
Not close.
Exactly his face.
The same dark eyes.
The same sharp jawline.
The same expression Theodore saw every morning in the mirror.
Rosalie slowly stepped closer.
“Theo…”
Her voice trembled.
Theodore did not answer.
He could not.
Because every explanation he had ever believed about himself was disappearing.
Sebastian grabbed the photograph.
His expression changed from confusion to horror.
“No.”
Theodore looked at him.
“You know him.”
Sebastian remained silent.
That was the answer.
Theodore’s voice became colder.
“You know him.”
Sebastian looked at the photograph again.
“I thought he was gone.”
Theodore’s heart skipped.
“Who is he?”
Nobody answered.
“Who is he?”
Sebastian finally looked at him.
And the fear in his eyes was worse than any confession.
“He is your brother.”
Theodore stepped backward.
“No.”
Rosalie looked shocked.
“Sebastian…”
“He was born before Theodore.”
The room seemed to spin.
Theodore laughed once.
A broken, confused sound.
“You’re telling me I have a brother?”
Sebastian looked down.
“I’m telling you that everything about your birth was hidden.”
Theodore turned toward Rosalie.
“You knew?”
Rosalie’s eyes filled with tears.
“No.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Theo, I swear.”
She stepped closer.
“I only knew Mother was alive.”
Theodore looked away.
His entire life suddenly felt like a story written by someone else.
Every birthday.
Every memory.
Every family moment.
What was real?
What was invented?
Then the speaker crackled again.
The unknown voice returned.
“You always wanted the truth.”
Theodore looked toward the ceiling.
“Who are you?”
A quiet laugh answered.
“You already know.”
Sebastian stepped forward.
“Show yourself.”
The voice ignored him.
“Theodore, your mother tried to protect you.”
Theodore clenched his fists.
“From what?”
A pause.
Then:
“From your own family.”
Suddenly, the lights flickered.
The old security system activated.
A red light began flashing above the door.
Sebastian immediately became alert.
“We need to leave.”
Theodore looked at him.
“You know something.”
“Not now.”
“No.”
Theodore stepped in front of him.
“You don’t get to do that anymore.”
Sebastian stared at him.
“Do what?”
“Protect me with lies.”
For several seconds, Sebastian said nothing.
Then he quietly replied:
“You’re right.”
Theodore was surprised.
Again.
“I should have told you years ago.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Sebastian looked at the photograph.
“Because I made your mother a promise.”
“What promise?”
Sebastian’s voice became softer.
“That you would never know how dangerous this family really was.”
A loud crash came from outside the room.
Someone was forcing the door open.
Sebastian immediately moved.
“Behind me.”
Theodore almost laughed.
“Still giving orders?”
Sebastian looked at him.
“Just once more.”
The door suddenly opened.
A man entered.
Tall.
Wearing a black coat.
His face was hidden in the darkness.
Sebastian recognized him instantly.
His expression changed.
“You.”
The man smiled.
“Hello, Sebastian.”
Rosalie stepped back.
“Who is that?”
The man looked at Theodore.
And smiled.
“Finally.”
Theodore felt a chill.
“What do you want?”
The man walked closer.
“I wanted to see you.”
“Why?”
The man looked almost emotional.
“Because I spent seventeen years wondering if you would look like me.”
Nobody spoke.
Theodore stared at him.
“You’re him.”
The man smiled.
“Yes.”
Sebastian moved forward.
“Stay away from him.”
The man laughed.
“Still pretending you are the protector?”
Sebastian’s face hardened.
“You ruined this family.”
“No.”
The man looked around the room.
“Your father ruined this family.”
The man stepped closer.
“My name is Julian.”
Theodore watched him carefully.
“Why were you hidden?”
Julian looked at the photograph.
“Because your father was afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
Julian’s eyes moved toward Sebastian.
“Afraid that the world would discover the truth.”
Rosalie whispered:
“What truth?”
Julian answered.
“That Sebastian was never the rightful heir.”
Everyone froze.
Sebastian’s expression changed.
“Don’t.”
Julian ignored him.
“The Vale empire was built on a stolen inheritance.”
Theodore looked at Sebastian.
“Is that true?”
Sebastian didn’t answer.
And once again…
Silence became the truth.
Later that night, Theodore stood alone outside the mansion.
His entire world had changed in one day.
His sister had almost been buried alive.
His mother was alive.
His father’s death was suspicious.
And a stranger who looked exactly like him claimed to be his brother.
A car stopped behind him.
Theodore turned.
Julian stepped out.
“You want answers.”
Theodore said nothing.
Julian walked closer.
“But answers come with a price.”
“What price?”
Julian looked toward the mansion.
“Your family will try to stop you.”
Theodore stared at him.
“Why?”
Julian’s expression became serious.
“Because the person who ordered Rosalie’s death…”
He paused.
“Is still inside that house.”
Theodore’s blood went cold.
“Who?”
Julian looked directly at him.
“Someone you trust.”
Before Theodore could respond, Julian walked away.
Theodore watched him disappear into the darkness.
Then his phone rang.
It was Rosalie.
He answered immediately.
“Theo…”
Her voice sounded terrified.
“What happened?”
A pause.
Then Rosalie whispered:
“I found Mother.”
Theodore froze.
“Where?”
Another pause.
“She’s not hiding anymore.”
“Where is she?”
Rosalie’s voice dropped.
“She’s inside the mansion.”
Theodore looked back at the Vale estate.
Every light was still on.
Every window looked normal.
But now he knew.
The greatest danger was not outside.
May you like
It was already home.
TO BE CONTINUED…
