Rain poured relentlessly.

The downpour was ceaseless, mirroring a memory that wasn’t bright, but rather drenched in hardship—much like today.

From the very beginning, life had been bleak for him.

Born an illegitimate child of the Narcio family, he had endured years of scorn and contempt.

Still, with a semblance of talent and being the sole successor, he had managed to ascend to the position of vice-patriarch.

It wasn’t a role he desired, but the title had brought people to him, filling his life with activity and a semblance of camaraderie.

Loneliness persisted, of course, but he had learned to …