Chapter 326: His past

Braelyn’s POV

Margaret motioned for me to follow her upstairs. The entire time I was nervous, I remembered her mentioning that she wanted to show me his childhood room and wondered if that was where we were heading

The Voss mansion was enormous. We walked through long corridors lined with framed photographs and paintings. The house felt warmer than the cold and intimidating halls of the Volkov estate.

We didn’t take the stairs, Margaret led me to an elevator, from outside I saw how grand the Voss main family estate was but to require an elevator to navigate it. That was mind-blowing.

Margaret pressed the elevator button, her eyes shifted to me. “Dominic’s room was moved up but arranged exactly how it was left..” she explained and released a sigh.

“He was pretty stubborn. His mother refused to tear down the room even when she realised her son was never coming back. When she missed him then she normally went to the bedroom that had his faint scent that faded with time..” she explained with a heavy voice.

I didn’t say anything and just waited for the elevator doors to slide open with a ding. Warm light spilt out of the elevator as it slid open. Margaret urged me to step in and I followed after.

The lift was quiet except for the faint humming sounds Margaret made. My mind wandered off. I was curious of course, I wondered how large the estate was.

After a short while the door dinged. With a bell sound, it opened revealing the elegant corridor screaming opulence. “This way…” Margaret called out, stepping out of the elevator.

The sound of her heeled shoes and cane echoed through the hallway followed by the clicking sounds of my heels. My eyes darted around admiring the intricate designs in architecture. I had seen wealth before. My father had been comfortable, even if he was nowhere near as rich as the Volkovs but walking down these halls felt like I was walking through some castle.

“It’s beautiful..” I blurted. I didn’t want to imagine how much it must have cost. Margaret grinned.

“I know, it has been in the family for generations. It was a pain to move out when the family head was passed to Elliot..” she sighed looking ahead.. ” This estate has both material and historical value. It is the last line for the Voss family if this falls apart..”

My eyes went wide understanding her words. “Hopefully that day will never come,” Margaret added. I nodded absentmindedly. A funny thought slipped into my mind that if the estate was so old it must be haunted.

I lowered my voice. “By chance, Aunty Maggie is this place haunted?” I asked. Margaret was a bit taken aback. I addressed her so familiarly then a smile settled.

“I don’t know personally I haven’t met any ghosts my entire stay here but there are some rumours..” she mischievously whispered. My eyes went wide excited for some premium haunted story…

Only for Margaret to let out a laugh. “I am just kidding. ” she sneered and my smile instantly fell. Pure Disappointment on my face.

Finally, after what felt like a very long walk, Margaret finally stopped in front of a door..She paused for a moment.

Her expression turned complicated, filled with emotions I could not quite name. Then she slowly pushed the door open. She stepped aside urging me to step in first.

The room inside was spotless. Everything was carefully arranged, as if it had been preserved exactly the way it once was. The furniture looked old and vintage, but it had clearly been maintained with great care.

I stepped inside slowly. Before Margaret even said a word, I already knew.

This had been my father’s room. The walls were filled with photographs.

Trophies and medals sat neatly on a long shelf. Certificates and awards were framed carefully beside them. Pictures of a younger version of my father smiled back at me from every corner of the room.

These were photographs I had never seen before. My chest tightened as I realised how much of his life existed before me… a life he had never spoken about.

I could see his entire childhood here, at a corner I spotted an old framed picture. My feet moved before I could stop myself. The picture was placed on one of the shelves, it looked like a holiday picture.

A family dressed for Christmas, 2 boys, a couple and a girl seated under a Christmas tree. The picture was grainy and the colours were pretty bad.

I immediately recognised the older boy, he looked like a teenager 15 or 16 at most. He was smiling so brightly his eyes were glued to the girl sitting beside her ..

“Is that you?” I pointed. I knew Margaret was standing behind me.

She nodded..”It was an old Christmas picture. Dominic was the one who brought up the idea and insisted I be in it since according to him we were technically family..” Margaret explained.

I studied the picture closely and they looked so happy. I wondered if Dad loved Margaret at some point but I would never know, nor did it matter. From the picture, I could tell Dad took more from his mother while Douglas took more from his father.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. “Stay as long as you want. I will be stepping out.” Margaret’s voice followed. I glanced over and she gave me a faint nod.

Margaret turned around and left me in the room. Once alone I started exploring hoping to know more about the man who lied to me most of my life to protect me.

Dad was an academic or at least he seemed like one. He had multiple awards and participated in a lot of research. His every step was heading towards being a top researcher or medical specialist but he threw all this acumen for love…

I was deep in going through his awards when a soft knock rang.. I glanced over and saw Charlotte standing there. “Do you mind if I step in?” She asked politely.

“Of course not..” I blurted, placing a plaque I was holding back on the shelf.

Charlotte walked in and then took a seat around the room. Her eyes darted around the large room. “This is my first time here. I thought your father was a family myth for years..” she said lightly.

I dragged my legs towards her and sat by her side on the bed. “Well, I thought my father’s surname had always been Alderheim until a few days ago.” I joked and we both ended up laughing.

Charlotte’s laugh was soft, I was curious why she came here. “That makes both of us.” She paused her eyes, slowly falling on me.

“I don’t know how to put it but there is something I want to tell you. I couldn’t bring it up at the table..” she said softly and a frown formed on my brow.

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