A Second Chance at Forever

Chapter 1410

Bernard’s deep–set eyes, edged with a hint of frost, bore into the space before him as his voice, low and resonant, broke the silence. “I didn’t have to dig, Mr. Penrod. You would’ve come looking for me anyway, wouldn’t you? Did you guess I’d make it back alive?”

Mr. Penrod passed his walking stick to Aidyn before settling into the sofa with an air of entitlement. “Given your skill set, surviving wasn’t a gamble.”

Bernard pivoted, his tall frame turning to face the self–assured Mr. Penrod, now lounging comfortably. “So, what brings you here then?”

Mr. Penrod leaned back, legs crossed in an almost lazy pose. “Since you’re aware of the Darkness, there’s no harm in telling you.”

Bernard before him, bathed in the dimming light of dusk, regarded Mr. Penrod with an unflinching gaze. “If I hadn’t known about its existence, would you have kept it from me forever?”

Mr. Penrod didn’t answer directly, opting for a lighter tone. “I didn’t tell you because Darkness is no good Samaritan.”

The golden hues of twilight caressed Bernard, yet the warmth seemed to elude him.

His voice, steady and frosty, cut through the air. “So, it’s not deliberate secrecy but outright deception. Do you think I’m easy to manipulate, Mr. Penrod?”

in my own kin,

Bernard. “Is

been around for ages, yet you wiped its existence from the

his accuser, Mr. Penrod fell momentarily silent. “I did withhold that from you intentionally, but I didn’t

3. ă

disappointment crept in. “Is it truly irrelevant to me, or have you not used me enough to disclose the truth?”

silence. “Bernard, Darkness was an enterprise started by my father’s generation. It’s ancient history

detachment. “Mr. Penrod, you knew full well that Darkness took Pauline’s life, leading Yates to create Area Opaca to hunt down the Siren Organization. Isn’t withholding the truth from me a form of use?”

had little room for excuses. “Indeed, you’re the man I raised. Given tidbits of information, you piece together the whole picture. You’re ready to

crisp and cool. “I appreciate the training, Mr. Penrod, but I’m not quite there yet. After all, I only see part of the picture. I rely on

verbal sparring, you don’t give an inch.

from Bernard’s

down, let’s talk.”

calm depth, remained standing for a few seconds before

sunlight divided thern–one in shadow, the other