CHAPTER NINETY-NINE

RICHARD'S POV

"This is outrageous, Father!" Jonathan shouted, his voice echoing off the marble walls. "You can't seriously expect us to accept this... this... bastard as our equal!"

I sat in the spacious room, my heart thudding in my chest. Jonathan and William glared at me, their faces twisted with anger and resentment

William nodded in agreement, his fists clenched at his sides. "He's an outsider! He's got no place here. This is our home, our inheritance!"

Father raised a hand, silencing them both. "Enough," he said, his voice calm but firm. "From now on, you are all equal. Richard is as much my son as you two are."

Jonathan's face turned red with fury. "But why now, Father? Why bring him into our lives after all these years? You never cared before!"

Father's eyes softened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of regret. "I should have taken care of Richard and his mother a long time ago," he said quietly. "I should have been there for them."

I felt a lump in my throat. The words were