Redeemed Son In-law

The Truth

Bryan stood skeptically in the middle of the room, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. The doubt in his voice was evident as he continued to question the truth being presented to him.

"How do you expect me to believe that?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion. He was desperate for evidence, for something concrete to put his doubts to rest. Unconvinced by mere words, he had even sought the opinion of his foster sister, hoping she could shed some light on the matter. But her lack of knowledge only added to his uncertainty.

Unable to contain his frustration any longer, Bryan's counterpart, with a calm determination, responded, "I think I don't need to talk much. I have proof, at least that will make you believe me." With those words, he made his way towards a small yet intriguing piece of furniture in the corner of the room. It resembled a closet, but something about it seemed different, more secretive.

Bryan watched with a mixture of curiosity and doubt as his counterpart approached the closet-like object. His eyes widened when he noticed that it required a password to access its contents. The implications of this discovery were not lost on him, causing both intrigue and wariness to flood his mind.

As his counterpart swiftly entered the password, the closet-like object obediently opened, revealing a hidden treasure within. Bryan's counterpart pulled out a worn photo album from the depths of the closet, a knowing smile gracing his face. It was a tangible piece of evidence, the key to unlocking the truth that Bryan so desperately sought.

Closing the closet back with a quiet click, his counterpart made his way back towards Bryan, who had now shifted his attention from the room to the mysterious yet compelling album in his hands. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as Bryan prepared to delve into the pages that held the secrets of his past.

President Asher dropped the album gently onto the table, its weight causing a soft thud. He took a seat directly across from Bryan, inviting him to explore its contents.

"You can check this, young master. You can ask any questions you want," President Asher said, his voice calm and steady as he settled into his chair.

Bryan's curiosity grew as he eyed the photo album, unsure of what to expect. "This is a photo album," he remarked skeptically, "do you mean this holds the answers I demanded?"

A soft chuckle escaped President Asher's lips, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes. With a swift nod, he confirmed Bryan's suspicions. With cautious anticipation, Bryan opened the album, revealing the first page. A photograph of a young man, uncannily resembling himself, stared back at him.

"Wait, is this Mr. Max Creston himself?" Bryan demanded, a mix of surprise and bewilderment in his voice.

President Asher simply nodded in reply, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "You can see the resemblance," he said, confirming Bryan's observation.

Eager to uncover more, Bryan flipped to the next page, discovering a photograph of a lady beside Mr. Max Creston. Intrigued, he couldn't help but demand, "Who is this person?"

President Asher chuckled softly, as though relishing in Bryan's growing curiosity.

President Asher tenderly cradled the album, his fingers skimming over the pages with care. His voice carried a mix of nostalgia and sadness as he began to share the stories behind the photographs.

"That's the picture of your dad and your stepmother," he explained gently, "they have been best friends since childhood, always fond of one another. This photo was taken after they both got accepted into different universities. She traveled abroad to study back then."

A soft chuckle escaped President Asher as he turned to another page, revealing a family picture. Bryan's curiosity heightened, eager for answers.

"This could be his parents, but who's this lady by his side?" Bryan inquired, his voice tinged with both curiosity and confusion.

President Asher's expression shifted, a mix of remembrance and melancholy crossing his features. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before responding. "Those are your grandparents with your aunt. She was very fond of your father and your stepmother. She valued their friendship and always hoped they would end up together. Unfortunately, your grandfather has passed away, and your grandmother is currently in rehab due to her behavior after your father's untimely passing." Sadness permeated his words, a reflection of the weight of their family's history.

President Asher's voice carried a sense of empathy and understanding, acknowledging the complex emotions entwined within their shared journey.

President Asher's expression softened as he listened to Bryan's words, understanding the weight of grief and loss that they held. With empathy in his eyes, he turned the page of the album, revealing a picture that left Bryan speechless.

"This is the three of you," President Asher confirmed, his voice filled with sincerity. "You must have been very close to Mr. Creston, and this is a picture of your mother. Everything I've told you is true, Bryan. You are his son."

Bryan's mouth hung open in astonishment as he processed the overwhelming realization. President Asher couldn't help but chuckle at the sheer disbelief etched across Bryan's face, as if years of uncertainty had suddenly collided with the truth.

"Max Creston is not just my best friend," President Asher continued, his voice holding a touch of nostalgia. "He is also your father, just as you suspected. Our paths originally crossed when we were both admitted to the same school, studying the same course. It was there that he met your mother, who happened to be in the same department. Their relationship blossomed, and you can find more pictures of them together as you continue to explore the album."

A brief pause filled the room as President Asher took a deep breath, the weight of the past palpable in the air. The truth had finally been unveiled, and Bryan was left to grapple with the newfound knowledge of his own heritage.

President Asher's excitement evident filled the room as he continued to unfold the story, revealing the untold truths that had long remained hidden. 

Upon discovering the pregnancy, Bryan's mother had been hesitant to share the news with her own parents. Fear of disappointment and judgment clouded her thoughts, leading her and Mr. Creston to make the decision to keep the pregnancy a secret from everyone. Months passed, and eventually, Bryan was born.

With a chuckle, President Asher encouraged Bryan to turn to the next page, eager to provide further confirmation. As Bryan's eyes scanned the photographs, he couldn't help but exclaim in awe, "Wait, is this when I was born?" The images revealed a much younger Bryan, cradled in the loving arms of his mother, surrounded by his so-called father.

President Asher's voice carried a tender fondness as he affirmed that it was indeed Bryan's birth. "Yes, it was you. In fact, your parents loved you dearly. They had started planning to reveal the truth to the family before circumstances took an unfortunate turn."

Bryan's questioning gaze fixed upon President Asher, his curiosity simmering with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. "What are you trying to tell me? What happened? Are you saying the family didn't know about me?" His voice was tinged with a sense of urgency, craving answers that could potentially shatter the fragile foundations of his understanding.

With a solemn expression, President Asher met Bryan's gaze. The weight of the past mingled with sadness as he explained, "It's unfortunate to say that no one in the family knew about you until your father's illness brought forth the revelation. It was during his fragile state, on his sickbed, that he revealed to his family that Jason wasn't his first-born son. The truth, burdened by secrecy, was never unveiled until that moment."

Bryan's voice trembled with a raw mix of anger and pain as he unleashed his pent-up emotions. His words cut through the air like shards of shattered trust, demanding answers to the haunting questions that plagued him.

President Asher, momentarily taken aback by the intensity of Bryan's outburst, maintained a neutral tone, understanding the depth of resentment and anguish that fueled his words. As Bryan's grievances spilled forth, President Asher listened, the weight of silence hanging heavy in the room.

The truth had indeed complicated the narrative. The revelation that Bryan's father had chosen to keep his existence hidden carried an undeniable sting, for it meant that his mother had endured immense suffering and hardship alone. The memories of sleeping under bridges, the anguish of being pushed out of their home, and the relentless struggles that Bryan and his mother had confronted were etched deeply into his being.

Yet, President Asher remained objective, carefully absorbing Bryan's accusatory words. He understood the need for answers, the desperate plea to reconcile the seemingly contradictory narrative of love and abandonment.

Navigating delicately through the treacherous terrain of Bryan's pain, President Asher paused for a moment before providing an honest response. His voice calmly conveyed the weight of the situation, the complexity layered within their shared history.

"While it is true that your mother faced immense challenges, and your father's actions have left scars that run deep," President Asher began, "it is important to approach this with a broader perspective. Emotions are rarely clear-cut, and people are flawed. Your father made choices that ultimately impacted your lives, and for that he should be held accountable."

President Asher's tone remained neutral, offering no defense or justification for Bryan's father's decisions. Instead, he acknowledged the validity of Bryan's feelings and the pain that overshadowed his understanding of his father's supposed love.

"In time, perhaps you will find the answers you seek," President Asher concluded gently. "Mayhaps there is more to the story than we know, hidden beneath layers of pain and regret. But for now, let us focus on the truth that has been revealed and the journey that lies ahead."

"Young master, can you atleast calm down. All you sad wasn't Truth, he searched for her everywhere, he even asked her friends and everyone who knows her but no one knew her whereabout. I swear with everything, he did tried without relenting for years. He wanted to see you growing into an adult young man with so much love, he always wanted to have your mother by his side only if your mother had trust him back then, she literally flew without trusting him after he pleaded with her to trust him"He explained trying to calm his nerve and handle the situation wisely. 

"I don't think I can sit here and watch you say such thing about my mum. She's a good woman and will never do things without a reason. So you better learn how to script your words and not say a words against my mother, understood? "He warned, his tone filled anger, his tone held  a hint of defiance and resignation as he prepared to walk away from the conservation. 

"I am sorry if I say a word against your mother, but please give me a chance to explained what really happened to you, maybe you can rethink"He said, his tone filled with sincerity. He turned back to look at him. 

"If I give you a chance to explain yourself then you will have to promised you won't say any words against my beloved mother, otherwise we are done here"he stated firmly, his expression devoid of emotions. He swiftly nodded to his condition ready to abide by his instruction, just so he could please him as long as he give him the chance to explain.