The Secrets Hidden In The Scars

Chapter 23: The Memories Of The Past Are Still Alive

It's about eight or nine hours in the evening. Jamie is meeting Victor again, who regularly tells him what's happening in the lives of his sons, and what his older brother Michael plans. They are sitting at the table in a small kitchen with a cup of tea in their hands and eating what Mr. Johnson brought to his friend.

"I can say nothing good so far, Mr. MacClife," Victor says with sadness in his eyes. "I just got the confirmation that your younger son was really at Michael's home. They had the talk, in which they offered something to Edward for a great amount of money and power in sociality."

"Just don't tell me that stinker wants to do a dirty trick with Edward's hands," Jamie says a little excitedly, shaking his head.

"Yes, and it's quite serious," Victor takes a sip from his cup. "Very serious."

"I can expect anything from that idiot... So, what has he planned this time?"

"To kill your eldest son..."

"To kill Terrence?" Jamie opens his eyes widely. "Are you serious?"

"Not with his hands, but with the hands of..."

"My younger son..." Jamie falls into silence for two seconds and shakes his head. "I did know that bastard would do that, early or late. And I was afraid of it so badly..."

"But if Michael manages to turn Edward against Terrence, he will commit this murder."

"Gosh, not this... I don't want Michael to turn my children against each other and do his best for our situation to happen to them."

"I can't say anything about how your younger son really treats your eldest one. But I heard Michael is trying to press on the weaknesses of Edward. For example, he always reminds him that Terrence is more successful and more loved by everyone and gets everything."

"I hope Edward doesn't succumb to his provocations."

"He is refusing to succumb to Michael and kill Terrence yet. But your brother doesn't give up and continues to keep him under psychological pressure and convincing him that he must deprive your eldest son of everything. Michael constantly presses on Edward and makes him believe nobody needs him, nobody loves him, and Rebecca and you literally regret his birth, calling him your unplanned child."

"He's right in this case," Jamie notices hesitantly. "We didn't really plan a second child and were afraid we wouldn't be able to educate two babies. But Rebecca and I didn't even think of abortion. We were shocked, but calmed down later and said everything would be okay."

"But it might make Edward doubt your parents' love. He does feel deprived of his father's love and has recently started getting his mother's. And the pressure of Michael can make him sure that nobody needs him. He can make him get mad at his family and kill at least his brother."

"Oh, God..." Jamie thinks about something for a few seconds, running his hands through his hair. "I'm sorry that they met so late... If everything had happened earlier, Edward would've had much more time to get closer to his mother and brother."

"Rebecca kind of told you the guys got on well when they met. At least Terrence accepted that meeting well."

"Yeah, but I have a bad presentiment," Jamie confesses and takes a little sip of tea. "I'm terribly afraid Michael would turn Edward against Terrence and force him to kill his own brother. If my children become enemies and start a war, it will give me strong pain."

"If Edward doesn't succumb to provocations, keeps being by the side of his brother, and says nothing bad, Terrence and he will keep their friendly relationship. Though, it's gonna very hard for him to hold on under this pressure. He might eventually succumb to provocations and fight with his brother as hell. Michael does know what to press to control your son easily."