Prologue

[This chapter serves as a special continuation of the epilogue from “Her Tears,” and I have chosen to present it as a prologue to Agustin Knight’s story.]

THIRD POV

“Welcome back!”

They were taken aback to find her cousins waiting for them. Scarlett felt a surge of happiness, knowing that they were still accepted in the manor, despite the numerous challenges they had faced twelve years ago.

“Ven!”

Scarlett’s eyes widened as she caught sight of her best friend. “Oh my gosh! Claire!” she exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her friend. “Oh, my goodness!” Scarlett whispered. Claire chuckled and gently patted her friend’s back, as they hadn’t seen each other in decades.

Scarlett pulled away, wiping her tears as she recalled the assistance Claire had provided.

“I had no idea you were here!”

Claire chuckled and shrugged. “Surprise?”

Scarlett joined in the laughter and embraced her friend once more.

“Oh, I nearly forgot… This is my husband, Antonio Suarez. He’s Spanish, but he’s fluent in English,” Claire introduced her spouse. Scarlett smiled and shook hands with Claire’s husband.

“It’s nice to meet you, and please take care of her despite her stubbornness,” Scarlett added with a smile. Claire’s eyes widened, as if she was taken aback by what Scarlett had said about her.

“No, I’m not stubborn!” she exclaimed as she looked at her spouse. “Hon, don’t listen to her!”

Her husband only chuckled and hugged Claire’s shoulder.

Scarlett smiled and clasped Claire's hand in hers. “I’m happy for you,” she said. Claire nodded and hugged Scarlett once more, as she missed her friend.

Scarlett approached her other cousins, eager to greet them. To her surprise, she noticed that her nephews and nieces had also adopted some of their cousin’s habits. It was unexpected for her to see them thriving and living their lives after the hardships they had endured.

“HEY, BUDDY!”

Agustin, who had been engrossed in a book in a corner, paused and looked up. As soon as he recognized one of his uncles, a mischievous smirk appeared on his face.

“Hey, Uncle Erin.”

They embraced, and Erin playfully tousled Agustin's hair, who was a real man.

“Are you planning to read a book even in this place? Could that turn you into Einstein?” Erin chuckled, and Agustin simply grinned.

“I wish.”

They shared a laugh, and Erin wrapped his arms around Agustin’s shoulders, remarking, “You’ll have to grow up first before you can sit on the throne,” gesturing towards their grandfather and Uncle Vernon’s majestic seat.

Agustin stared at the throne and asked, “Should I? Do I deserve the throne?” He looked at his Uncle Erin, smiling.

Erin sighed and put both hands in the pockets of his pants. “Your mother refused the throne, so Uncle Vernon became the chairman. Our leader. He continued what our grandfather started,” he said, looking at the big picture of their grandfather and grandmother and smiling. “Our generations are a… a bit complicated for breaking the law.”

Agustin nodded, just listening to his uncle.

“Your mother is fighting for her right. She is fighting because she has you and Carrie. After what happened, it changed. We have a new law. None of us or your cousins can take over the throne.” Erin shook his head and sighed again.

“Many individuals are vying for the throne, and there is also a lot of discontent regarding Uncle Vernon’s replacement due to a tragic event. Our great-grandfather violated the law,” Erin said, mustering a forced smile. “He betrayed the family, making a mistake in an attempt to protect us, our family, our people, and our reputation.” Erin continued, gripping Agustin’s shoulder. “The throne requires someone capable of ruling it.”

“And that someone is you, Agustin.”

Both of them turned towards the person who had spoken, and Erin’s face lit up with a smile upon seeing them.

“Uncle Carter,” Agustin exclaimed.

Carter returned the smile and placed his arm around Agustin. “You are the only one who truly belongs,” he whispered, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat.

Agustin grinned and shook his head at his uncles, glancing at the throne once more before letting out a sigh. The sound of clinking glasses filled the room.

“You’re all here! Welcome back, my princess and my lovely grandchildren,” said Vernon with a smile. “I have an important announcement to make regarding my decision to step down from the throne. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate my only grandson, who will take over my position when he comes of age.” He smiled again. “I must say, he possesses an exceptional intellect, surpassing even that of his mother and grandfathers.”

They applauded and turned to Agustin, who was simply observing them. Vernon nodded at Agustin and raised his glass.

“I will trust you on this, Agustin.” said Vernon with a smile, glancing at everyone. “Let’s celebrate!”

The crowd erupted in cheers, with many congratulating Agustin, although he still had two years before ascending to the throne. He would also undergo training in business and clan management.

Their joyous occasion transformed into anguish and fear…

Scarlett covered her mouth as she spoke to Dominic’s secretary about what had happened to her husband.

While crying and listening, she turned to her children. Carrie and Tara were stunned by their mother’s reaction. Agustin’s face was blank, his fist clenched.

Scarlett hung up the phone and sat on the couch, unable to speak.

“M-mom, w-what happened to dad?” Carrie asked as she approached her devastated mother.

“Is he dead?” Tara asked, tears streaming down her face.

Scarlett remained silent, her sobs growing louder. Carrie embraced Scarlett tightly, also crying, while Tara sought comfort in Agustin, who wore an expressionless face.

“He was… tragically killed by an unknown assailant,” Scarlett finally managed to say, her voice trembling. “His secretary confided in me, sharing all the details. It appears that your father refused to agree to their proposal for the transaction. As a result, he found himself entangled in a solitary battle against them…”

Her two children cried even harder upon hearing her words, while Agustin remained stoic, standing silently behind the sofa.

“He’s gone…”

Agustin's fist tightened, trembling with suppressed emotion.

“This is your fault, mother,” Agustin said, devoid of any feeling, his gaze fixed on

the distance. “This is all your fault.”

Carrie spun around, her anger boiling over, and yelled at Agustin, “Brother!”

Agustin disregarded her and continued to convince himself that his mother was to blame for what had happened to his father.

“You have no concern for anyone but yourself,” he seethed, his gaze piercing his mother as his expression grew somber. “This place is a living nightmare. Knights are nothing but selfish.”

Scarlett remained silent, her lips pressed together as she acknowledged the truth in her son’s words. She couldn’t deny that everything that had transpired was indeed her fault. If only she had intervened and prevented Dominic from engaging in that transaction, none of this would have occurred.

“Agustin,”

Agustin, filled with anger, looked away and stormed out of the mansion, wreaking havoc on everything in his path.

“Agustin!” Scarlett shouted desperately, but Agustin paid no attention and only heard the sound of the motor engine as he drove away from the manor.

Scarlett, shocked and devastated, covered her mouth and turned to her two daughters, embracing them tightly as tears streamed down her face.

Ever since his father’s death, everything had changed. Dominican Agustin had undergone a profound transformation, becoming cruel and merciless due to a tragic event that had shattered his life.