The rich man laughed at his brother who inherited a lame horse from his father in a remote village

Tony sat in a chair against the wall looking at his father who was lying with his eyes closed his face thin and Haggard the atmosphere in their house had been dreary for over 3 weeks now ever since Tony's father had become bedridden the diagnosis was serious and time was running out as soon as Howard's illness became known his mother pleaded with the doctors saying we'll pay any money just save my husband how much do you need let's send him abroad I'll go with him and take care of him Tony was unsure about the exact amount

of money in their family accounts but he knew there was a substantial sum his father had been the head of the publishing business for many years normally Stern and energetic Howard was now lying with his eyes closed as if peacefully sleeping but Tony knew that his father purposely closed his eyes whenever he entered his bedroom not wanting to worsen the already difficult situ situation Tony silently stood up and left he understood as soon as his father opened his eyes even with his last bit of strength he would Express his displeasure at his presence this had

been the case the previous morning Howard audibly complained when he saw Tony sitting nearby saying why are you looming here like an eyesa take an example from your older brother Vincent he studies every day attends all his classes and you you're idle go away disappear from my eyes those words had hurt Tony deeply only he knew that his older brother Vincent hadn't attended the college for over two months and spent his spare time in clubs Vincent would come to their father in the morning but after an hour or even less he would disappear claiming he

had to study Tony heard how affectionately his father spoke to Vincent and how angrily he spoke to him at times t felt accustomed to such treatment since childhood he had been the scapegoat for everyone in the family he was blamed for all troubles and failures regardless of whose fault it was his father only referred to him as a slacker and a troublemaker his brother also treated him like an enemy occasionally when his mother was in a good mood she would pity him or say a kind word after his father scolded him on the contrary his

parents always held Vincent up as an example Tony couldn't understand why Tony studied diligently and got every grade deservedly while Vincent just had to attend lessons to bring home a diary with A's and B's Howard regularly sponsored school for Vincent's good grades his brother was 2 years older than Tony and as soon as he graduated from school Howard immediately took care of it and in a couple of weeks Vincent became a student of one of the best colleges in the in the city upon Tony's graduation his father angrily declared that's it stop relying on your

parents support go to work and if you have enough brains go to a correspondence college that was Tony's plan as well but his dreams of further education quickly faded into the background a few months after his graduation the family learned about Howard's illness Tony had to put aside his goals and start helping his mother there was enough money in the family to hire a nurse but his father adamantly refused saying I deserve my wife and sons to take care of me not some strange people most of the time Howard's wife took care of him Tony

would often assist her which would provoke the patient's dissatisfaction and anger together with his mother he would wash his father change the bedding clean the room and even learned to administer injections Vincent on the other hand would only visit every day to sit by his father's side holding his hand but that wasn't the only reason twice Tony overheard from another room that his brother taking advantage of their father's favorable disposition asked him for help the first time he tearfully pleaded dad the car you gave me when I finished school is no longer in good condition

it's constantly breaking down besides do you know whose kids are studying in my class the daughter of the city's head the daughter of the market director the son of the head doctor at our hospital and others they all come in fancy cars some even with drivers and here I am driving that damn car since you're bedridden anyway and your car is just sitting idle in the garage could you give it to me I have to maintain my family's status don't I Tony hadn't heard the answer but when he saw Vincent go out in their father's

car that evening he knew that his brother had achieved his goal a week later Tony was giving their father an injection when Vincent entered the room grudgingly Vincent said well if you have already done your job get out of here I need to talk to my father Tony left the room but his curiosity got the better of him and he decided to Eve drop on their conversation it turned out that Vincent's College arranged a week-long exchange trip abroad and Howard impressed by his son's enthusiasm for learning allocated a considerable sum of money for it Tony

who already heard that Vincent had abandoned that college couldn't understand why his brother needed a large sum however everything fell into place when he overheard Vincent talking on the phone baby pack your bags Vincent joyfully exclaimed as soon as I leave my father's house we'll fly to those islands you always dreamed of visiting at that moment Vincent noticed Tony and realized he had heard everything he put the phone in his pocket approached his brother and hissed what are you looking at me like that for I have the right to a holiday and my father doesn't

mind paying for it it doesn't matter what it's for as long as it benefits me so don't you dare say a word go and change his diapers better Tony was stunned by his brother's audacity while their father Lay Dying in the Next Room Vincent was planning a luxurious vacation on islands with his lover but our dad could die at any moment Tony whispered Vincent's reaction was chilling he grinned and defiantly looked into Tony's eyes as he said don't worry by the time the will is announced I'll definitely be back after all if he dies The

Inheritance won't be received the next day leaving Tony in a state of confusion Vincent turned and walked away it was then that Tony realized that his brother had no genuine concern for their father's Health all the sadness and tears at their father's bedside were merely an act to secure the biggest share of The Inheritance a couple of days after Vincent's departure their father passed away quietly at night with Tony on duty at his bedside this moment would be etched in Tony's memory forever his father opened his eyes and looked at Tony with a kind and

affectionate gaze for the first time it was as if he wanted to say something but after a few deep breaths he fell silent Tony immediately sensed that something terrible had happened he woke up his mother taking a sedative from the kitchen on the way as she had been relying on them heavily lately sobs Fairway Wells and funerals followed throughout this time Tony never left his mother's side while Vincent continued to enjoy his leisure on the seashore not bothering to return for the funeral he only returned when several days had passed he visited his father's grave

only once and that was at his mother's insistence life remained unchanged for him and he even claimed to have more freedom of action he could access cash in the safe without his father's approval use his car whenever he wanted and Answer to No One his mother didn't ask any questions after her husband's death she didn't care about such matters anymore on the day of their father's scheduled will reading all the family members were summoned by the notary Vincent arrived in High Spirits smirking at Tony as if he already knew the content of the will as

for Tony he had no Illusions but what he learned from the notary was beyond any expectations their father's real estate and movable assets had been divided completely in his opinion unfairly the house they all lived in and the monthly maintenance had been Beed to his wife for life Tony fully agreed with this part of the will to his eldest son Vincent their father left the management of all accounts businesses multiple cars and a spacious apartment in the downtown when it was Tony's turn everyone held their breath as it seemed that there was nothing more left

for him a tense silence filled the room with Tony hearing his brother's laughter the notary adjusted his expensive spectacles and read more quietly revealing that their father had left Tony as a stable with a small cottage located far outside the city along with a sum of money in his account that was sufficient for him to start an independent life when Tony heard how much his father had left him he couldn't believe it the number of zeros in his older brother's inheritance was many times more and the money that had been left to Tony his brother

could probably be squandered in clubs in less than a month Tony of course from the very beginning realized that Dad would not divide everything equally between the sons but he certainly did not expect him to act so unfairly going out of the notary Vincent who had always considered his younger brother as insignificant angrily sneered through his teeth well that's it my dear little brother as they say go your own way and I hope I never see You Again by the way don't even try to ask me for anything I'm sorry but I don't give to

beggers turning to his mother he said Mom are you coming hurry up I've got many things to do I'll drop you home quickly and I want to celebrate my current status as a rich businessman playing with the keys of his car which had already become officially his he headed towards the fancy car gleaming in the sunlight while Helen approached her youngest son taking him by the hand she quickly said in a guilty voice I'm sorry Tony I didn't know that Howard would decide this you know I couldn't have changed anything you know how stubborn your

father was the young man hugged his mother and replied quietly it's okay Mom everything will be fine it's not about the money I'll figure it out somehow just take care of yourself and I'll def defitely call you go or Vincent will get upset Helen went to the car and Tony remained standing on the porch of the notary's office resentful towards his father Vincent and the world as a whole he couldn't understand why his father had such a negative attitude towards him from childhood until the last day of his life which he clearly didn't deserve two

brothers growing up in the same family and now one got everything while the other was left with the dilapidated house in the middle of nowhere Tony didn't even doubt that this was how his father's inheritance looked like after all Howard brought this stable by chance and he only went there for the first couple of years after the purchase at that time his father was obsessed with horses and each time he came back from there he boasted about buying another thorough red horse but it didn't last long business took over it started to flourish and then

his health deteriorated in addition Tony couldn't even remember the last time his father had visited his stable and now he was forced by his father's will to gather his things that could fit in one travel bag leave his home and go to the address specified in the will after buying a bus ticket Tony sat in the back seat and sank into his unhappy thoughts 3 hours later the driver turned around said they had arrived and dropped him off on the Main Street of the village looking around Tony immediately realized that his hope of finding a

job here had instantly disappeared the whole village consisted of that single Central Street there were no more than 20 at most 25 houses and they didn't look alike some were freshly painted with well-maintained vegetable gardens While others were gray and shabby as if they had endured a difficult life Tony adjusted his bag on his shoulder and went to find his own house at the very outskirts a little away from the street he saw something that resembled a house he realized it was his property only because of the nearby stable with its overgrown fence there wasn't

even a gate in front of the house itself it was lying on the grass the plot was so overgrown with weeds that Tony had to clear a path as if cutting through a Thicket to reach the porch at that moment moment he remembered his father's Words which he had said as soon as he finished school well now roll up your sleeves his father had said with some incomprehensible threat go work as a loader or a stable boy shoveling manure that's the kind of life you're meant for you can't rely on me or your mother I've

achieved everything on my own and you if you can you'll have to fend for yourself now Tony stood in front of the stable house and realized that his father's words had been prophetic sighing sadly the young man sat down on the broken Porch Step and found himself afraid and unwilling to go inside the fear wasn't directed at anyone or anything in particular Tony simply couldn't imagine what awaited him inside that Hut with the door hanging on one hinge a broken window and a torn piece of roof hoping to postpone the meeting with the unknown Tony

set off to inspect the stable leaving his bag on the porch as he approached the corner of the gray structure he heard a horse's nighing coming from inside at first he thought he was imagining things but when he opened the heavy gate he was greeted by the handsome black horse the horse was standing in one of the paddocks which was the only one in perfect order just as Tony pondered about it he heard a horse cough behind him he turned around and saw a limping man making his way towards him good day the man said

in a Gruff voice what brings you here can I be of any assistance Tony explained who he was briefly sharing the story of his father's death and the inheritance of the Stables oh I see the man croaked he suggested they continue their conversation outside and pointed to a log by the gate as they sat down Frank as the limping man introduced himself lighted up a cigarette and spoke your father when he bought this Farm visited for a while and bought some expensive horses they were magnificent you couldn't take your eyes off them he hired workers

to take care of the animals that's when I got a job here cleaning up manure and carrying water then your father stopped visiting his stable probably when he fell ill instead his assistant showed up fired all the workers at once and sold the horses I remember thinking why would your father sell everything if he loved horses so much but that's how it turned out Frank sighed as his cigarette burned out then nodded towards the horse in the stall and continued this one couldn't be sold right away so he was left here he's a young horse

but like me he has a limp on one hoof I felt sorry for the poor fellow and took care of him you know if you like you can ask the blacksmith to take a look at him maybe change the the Horseshoe and the horse will improve I don't know much about these things but it seems to me that the horse is Special A thoroughbread so to speak your father didn't just buy any horse Tony sighed and promised to take care of the horse not wanting to offend Frank in reality the horse was the least of

his concerns he didn't know how he would survive he had no money no job and the house had been ransacked and left in Ruins he had had nowhere to return to as his brother had made it clear at the notary's office that everyone should live in his inherited house therefore Tony couldn't go back to his parents' house there was only one way out he had to find a way to survive in this Wilderness after chatting a little more with Frank he bid him farewell and headed towards the house he needed to settle in before dark

however as Tony stepped over the threshold of his future home he was taken aback once again he was astounded by how cruy his father had treated him it could hardly be called a dwelling the small room which had likely been a kitchen had a broken window and was littered with cigarette butts and empty bottles The Only Furniture that remained intact was a sturdy cupboard while a table and a couple of stools were scattered around as if there had been a fight the second room in the house seemed to have been been occupied by mice for

a long time the odd cushions and blankets were in terrible condition due to their nibbling at that moment Tony was grateful that the bed was made of metal otherwise the audacious rodents would have destroyed even the bed there were two other things that brought him some relief a whole window in the room and an old chest in the corner surprisingly neither the mice nor the previous occupants had managed to reach it the chest contained a couple of usable bed sheets although they were not new there were men's and women's shirts trousers everything was washed but

there was a faint smell of mustiness or age for the rest of the day he rolled up his sleeves and removed all the junk from the house piling it in the farthest corner of the yard with hopes of burning it all someday then he went to the stable where he found a decent bucket after fetching water from the well in the yard Tony carefully washed the room where the bed stood he decided to start there as it was the only place he could spend the night without worrying about raindrops falling through the broken window exhausted

the young man fell asleep that evening on the bare net of the old rusty bed completely unaware of the challenges that awaited him he woke up the next morning to the rumbling of his empty stomach if there had been anyone else in the house they would have heard the loud Gra from outside it was then that Tony remembered he had eaten his last meal at the bus station before coming here he had bought a bottle of lemonade and a couple of pies with some sweet potatoes he was about to get up when someone knocked on

the window he tried to rise but cried out in pain he had slept so well during the night that he hadn't even noticed the iron mesh of the bed digging into his skin Tony stood for a moment trying trying to ease the pain and massage his skin before approaching the window he opened the shuts wide and saw a female angel she was a short girl wearing a colorful sundress that almost reached her heels and a perfectly white headscarf she smiled shily and handed him a package hello I'm Rachel Frank's neighbor said the stranger charmingly smiling

he told me all about you yesterday so I thought by the time the Market opens at noon you'll starve to death I'm going to the farm this way anyway so I brought some milk and half a loaf of bread catching Tony's glance she lowered her eyes in embarrassment and added sadly I'm sorry I have nothing else to offer my son and I live alone so this is what we eat and I'm excited to share it with you Tony suddenly disappeared from the window and in a second appeared beside Rachel taking the package from the the

girl's hands he exclaimed Rachel you saved me from starving to death I woke up thinking I was dying I was so hungry she smiled and Tony continued I thought I'd go to the shop and buy everything but now I realized that you don't even have one here and I wouldn't have an energy to get to the market you saved me but I can't even thank you enough I can't even invite you into my house I'm still afraid to enter it myself but I promise as soon as I've put things in order I'll invite you and

your son to have tea throughout their conversation Tony discreetly observed Rachel her features seemed familiar but he couldn't remember where he had seen her before over the next few days Tony tided up his new home Frank managed to find some glass somewhere and they carefully cut it and installed it in the kitchen window talking about the charms of country life the men quickly whitewashed the walls of the house while Frank's wife cooked dinner for them Tony was surprised at himself he could handle the saw and Hammer he had found behind the house with ease even

though he had never even suspected the existence of such tools before in their family there had always been hired workers to do such tasks now he himself fixed the table and kitchen chairs and he even enjoyed it Rachel visited him once small waving her hands in Surprise and said I thought nothing good would ever come out of this messy house but it's still possible to live and even Thrive here you have Golden Hands the only thing you need to make it Cozier is a curtain for the window I would sew them if I had something

to make them from Tony smiled mysteriously and went into the other room where there was a chest a few minutes later he returned with a colorful sheet how about using this he offered Rachel luckily the previous owners were stockpiling and the looters didn't have much use for it Rachel unfolded the sheet and went to the window to see how it looked satisfied she said why not we won't tell anyone it used to be bedding I'll sew them today and we can hang them up tomorrow Tony looked at her admirably and once again thought about how

much he liked this simple country woman perhaps he would even have tried to caught her but Rachel had made it clear from the first day that they could only be friends Tony had already learned that Rachel was married before but it had been brief and unsuccessful when he asked her to tell him about herself Rachel reluctantly shared her story before the wedding my husband used to treat me like a princess she said sadly as they sat on a bench outside the house but as soon as we got married he changed completely he started hanging out

almost every day and chasing after other women I endured it for a long time crying and begging him to change but I couldn't make a difference even when I became pregnant it didn't make him reconsider his life when my son was just 3 months old that scoundrel became even more audacious and openly flirted with a village woman named Howard then they went with her to the city since then Billy and I have been living alone when Tony asked her where her son was Rachel said that Frank's wife was helping him so when she had to

go to work she looked after the boy Rachel herself worked as a milkmaid for a local farmer and went to the cowshed every morning at dawn a few days later while walking with Billy she checked on Tony and he quickly found a Common Language with the little boy Tony was grateful to have met Rachel communicating with her was effortless she often gave him gardening advice explaining how and why to take care of the plants she also recommended a blacksmith to help with eclipse the horse Tony had inherited the cost to change the Hors shoes was

significant for Tony's small budget but nevertheless he decided to proceed and never regretted his decision when Frank saw how fast Eclipse was Galloping he exclaimed oh I've told you this young spirited horse I would wish I could change my shoes and not limp anymore Tony smiled back he had liked Frank from the first day he didn't drink and was skilled at everything Frank helped him fix the stable fence and taught him how to repair the roof do you know why I'm lame smoking a cigarette the elderly man asked Tony I fell off the roof when

I was young back then my Army buddy and I were working hard we built houses repaired them when needed made made good money by the way we were young and foolish one day after having a few shots in the Autumn cold we climbed onto the scaffolding I didn't even realize what went wrong but I fell in no time my friend wasn't hurt at all but the doctors had to pick up pieces of my leg and save it since then I don't drink alcohol but unfortunately I can't make my leg healthy again Tony enjoyed listening to

his elderly neighbor he had a way of telling stories that were captivating they often Sat by The Stables in the evening with Frank puffing on a cigarette reminiscing about the past during these months Tony found himself glad to be in this Village the people here were different from City dwellers Simple Kind living a quiet and measured life without excesses or fuss Tony was pleased with the house that he had gradually fixed up it had become quite comfortable to live in his resentment toward towards his brother had gradually faded and he kept his promise to call

his mother from time to time during their last conversation Helen expressed concern about Vincent oh Tony I'm worried about your brother he completely abandoned his studies he doesn't want to work either he handed over his father's business to his friend and is just living off the interest he spends his nights drinking and partying with the money he mentioned you several times he said your starve to death and that even if you come crawling back on your knees he won't give you a penny don't worry Mom Tony said cheerfully I'm not going to crawl and I'm

sure I won't starve to death everything is fine with me even better than I expected at the beginning at that moment he wasn't lying he said how he truly felt he felt good and at ease the only thing that saddened him was the lack of job opportunities but he was almost certain that things would change soon and change did come soon that day despite the early morning Tony was already on his first crop in the vegetable garden When Rachel rushed into the gate she was waving a piece of paper and speaking excitedly Tony look what

I found I went to the chief to our Farmer for his pay and I saw this leaflet lying there read it quickly it's an opportunity for you and eclipse Tony took the leaflet which had a herd of horses at its Center and an announcement below it turned out that a horse show was being held in the neighboring town the requirements were minimal but the main prize was substantial after reading the text Tony grinned and handed the sheet back to Rachel saying there will probably be thoroughbred horses exhibited there and our eclipse is only a thorough

bread according to Frank's words Rachel tried to persuade him for a while but then she waved her hand placed the leaflet on the porch and left a bottle of milk on it turning around she disappeared behind the gate as quickly as she had appeared Tony returned to his work however the thought of the horse show lingered in his mind the prize money by Village standards was substantial and although he didn't believe in success Tony decided to give it a try Frank's words about his father only buying purebred horses which meant that Eclipse could be purebred

stuck with him in the remaining days before the exhibition Tony carefully prepared the horse and Frank gladly assisted him on the appointed day they stood in line with the other participants filled with excitement the competition was fierce with each horse being more beautiful than the next at each stage they had to showcase the horse for's best qualities surprisingly Eclipse won the hearts of almost all the judges Tony was astonished when his pet horse was declared the winner right after the award ceremony an older man with gray hair approached Tony and gently stroked the smooth man

of eclipse he said thoughtfully he's so beautiful you know this breed is very rare and only a few have been brought to our country from abroad such a horse is valuable believe me would you consider selling him I would pay a good price when the man named the amount he was willing to pay for Eclipse Tony realized that his father hadn't totally deprived him of inheritance as he had thought the horse had already brought in and could still bring in a lot of money as Tony pondered the events that had unfolded the man continued to

stroke eclips finally the young man responded firmly no I won't sell the horse he was inherited by me and he is like a memory of my father in his mind Tony was already envisaging taking Eclipse to Future tournaments after all having won such a prize once why not try his luck again the man had even imagined how he would use the money he had won to create his own small farm and live comfortably like others however his thoughts were interrupted by the same gentleman you know I knew your father very well my name is Mr

Sheldon we started our business together when we were young and we were friends we had been friends since our student days we studied together those were good times we shared all our Joys and Sorrows it was surprisingly easy for both of us many people even EnV us but then years later our paths diverged and we lost touch the stranger said his voice filled with sadness as he seemed to reminisce about the past at that moment Tony found himself torn between wanting to hear about his father's past and not wanting to dwell on it he was

about to Bid Farewell when the stranger spoke again you know I recently read in the newspaper about your father's death and your family something puzzled me although I hadn't spoken to Howard in many years I know for a fact that he didn't have two sons but a daughter and a son he was overjoyed when his daughter was born first he said she would be his little princess and when his son was born a couple of years later Howard was ecstatic we were still good friends then our children were born around the same time Howard's daughter

was born in early April and my eldest was born a month later in may we used to joke when they grow up we'll merge our businesses by getting them married but I don't have a sister Tony interrupted I only have Vincent my brother it's true he was born in the same year when you say your daughter was born Mr Sheldon looked at Tony intently and continued thoughtfully you know young man those were troubled times there were problems in business among other things Howard and his family disappeared from the city no one really knew what happened

suddenly your family vanished for a couple of years and then reappeared but instead of a daughter Howard had an older son people gossiped but eventually they moved on with their own lives dealing with their own problems as best they could after a moment of silence the man turned his attention back to the horse stroking its beauty in a half whisper he spoke mysteriously to Tony but what confused me even more than the substitution of a daughter for a son was your father's attitude towards horses you know it intrigued me from a young age Howard adored

horses and treated them like deities he carefully selected each of his prized horses knowing their pedigrees and providing them with ideal living conditions when he returned many of our mutual acquaintances noticed how much he had changed at first I didn't believe it but when I saw the condition of his Stables I was shocked that your father had allowed them to fall into such disrepair Tony listened intently trying to make sense of it all it was unfathomable to him how his father had allowed the stable to ruin moreover the Revelation that his older sister who should

have existed according to the stranger had vanished raised questions about his family's past the conversation with his father's friend at the exhibition left Tony's mind in turmoil however Upon returning to the Village he became engrossed in new concerns and the investigation into the mystery of his family would have to be postponed for another time with the winnings he received thanks to Eclipse Tony with the help of Frank his wife and Rachel set up a small farm though modest in scale it provided him with enough to live comfortably Rachel left her job with the farmer to

join Tony and while he tried to caught her again they realized that their relationship could only be one of friendship but he was happy and such a relationship was somehow easy for him with Rachel nearly a year had passed since Tony moved to the village and he couldn't imagine how he had ever lived in the bustling noisy and wicked City however one day he received an unexpected call from his older brother from the first moments of their conversation Tony sensed that Vincent still harbored hatred for him and seemed to call solely to mock him well

little brother aren't you starving yet Vincent asked and then noticing the farm behind Tony through the video call he continued in astonishment have you been hired as a cattle farmer yeah where else could someone like you find work when Tony informed Vincent that it was his own farm and stable Vincent fell silent abruptly cutting off his prepared speech it was clear that his anger overflowed things had not turned out as he had hoped not only had Tony not starved to death but he had also become a businessman albeit in the village and without million dooll

profits clearly this fact pained the older brother so much that he decided to visit that very day supposedly to check on him throughout this time Tony couldn't shake the thought that he had an older sister somewhere but then who was Vincent to him Tony concluded that his brother's arrival came at the right moment as it presented an opportunity to collect material for a DNA test he carefully took a cigarette but left by Vincent in the ashtray as well as the glass from which he had been drinking Tony even managed to collect a few hairs from

the headrest of the driver's seat while his brother inspected his possessions immediately after Vincent's departure Tony went to the city and submitted all the necessary materials for the kinship test he anxiously awaited the results as it was a time filled with both excitement and agony Tony had no idea what the test would reveal but he was certain that there was some mystery involved the DNA results indicated that Tony and Vincent were complete strangers to each other having no trace of a familial relationship upon receiving the result Tony sat down on a bench in the square

in front of the clinic staring at the document unsure of what to do next it was obvious that there was some thought out machination but it would be impossible to solve it on his own after sitting for some time Tony placed the result sheet into his inner pocket and headed to the nearest police station there the investigator listened attentively and suggested filing a detailed statement at that moment Tony had little faith that anyone would take up his case he believed it would likely be shelved and eventually forgotten to his surprise just just a few days

later he was summoned to the police station in the investigator's office Vincent was sitting anxiously appearing much less confident than before he seemed frightened and suddenly began Whispering rapidly as if afraid of not being able to relay everything in time Tony what nonsense are they talking about this man interrogated me for half an hour asking if I knew any missing businessmen who were supposedly your parents he claims that you're not my brother at all it's ridiculous we've always been together he's questioning our mother right now at that moment Tony didn't believe Vincent even though his

brother's appearance clearly indicated that he was in shock upon hearing the news Helen spent several hours with the detective Shields Tony grew concerned for her as her health had noticeably declined after their father's death when she emerged from the investigator's office into the corridor it was alarming to see her she looked as if she had aged another 10 years with a stooped back red eyes from crying and a dull gaze ignoring her sons the woman slowly staggered out and the investigator invited Tony into the office my name is detective po Shields what a job you've

given us began the policeman motion for us to sit down you have no idea what happened it turns out that your so-called parents are not your natural parents this family worked for your real parents as servants and these monsters have been planning their crime for a long time jealous of your parents' wealth the investigator took out his tape recorder and said here you can hear the whole thing for yourself you're so-call mother afraid of ending her life Behind Bars confessed everything the investigator went to sort out some folders in a Cupboard against the wall and

Tony listened not believing what was happening my husband and I were thinking at the time said a familiar female voice from the dictaphone why do they get everything and we get nothing so my Howard set it up he was clever when the owners went somewhere they sometimes asked Howard to drive them this time he had to drive them again at breakfast he gave me some powder and told me to put it in the tea of both the owners and after they left to be ready in a couple of hours he came back nervous Twitchy he

asked me to get all the kids in the car quickly there were only three of them in the house their daughter and son and a son Vincent without asking unnecessary questions I did everything as ordered and in a few hours we were far from the city where we lived there in a small hotel Howard told me that there are no more our owners and now we'll be instead of them but of course it still required great effort appearance and age we were something like him but the beauticians and plastic surgeons did some other things the

recording stopped halfway through and in the ensuing silence the investigator's voice came from behind him oh damn it's run out of power she has been talking about their crime for so long so let me recharge it why don't I pour you some tea you need time to adjust to this terrible truth handing Tony a cut glass he said you sit closer and listen to it plugged into the socket then detective Shields continued to go through the documents in the cupboard and Tony began to listen further Howard thought everything out in advance the false mother continued

and managed to take a lot of the money from the former owners we went at a big house hundreds of kilometers from the town where we lived Howard said we should wait some time then we found a village orphanage somewhere along the road where we were traveling my husband said we couldn't get rid of both at once it would be suspicious and so they might ask he made up a story that we were on a trip and our daughter died suddenly so we adopted a boy to ease my maternal grief when we returned sometime later

we had no difficulty in communicating with acquaintances for we had been there for many years and knew well the habits and tastes of our hosts Howard quickly entered the role and easily got into the image of the host and we would have lived like that if you didn't dig the voice in the dictaphone sighed and fell silent detective Shields went to the table and pressed the off button touching Tony's shoulder he said hang in there I understand it's hard to find out that the people you thought were your parents are not parents but murderers but

the main thing is that you found out that you have a sister I think we'll try to find her Tony who had been in a sort of stuper all this time seemed to come to his senses and raising his eyes to detective Shield he pleaded please help me find her after all she is the only person in the whole world who is really dear to me he would have started the search himself but he didn't know where to start so he decided to wait leaving it entirely to The Police Every Day his thoughts returned to

what he had heard in the investigator's office a little over a fortnight had passed during that time he didn't see his brother or or his so-called mother again one morning while he and Frank were cleaning the stable detective Shields appeared on the doorstep hello everyone he began in a cheerful voice and continued I have good news for you Tony why don't you make me some tea I'll tell you everything I've learned about your sister Tony's Pitchfork nearly fell out of his hand he was afraid to hear that his sister as well as his parents were

gone however looking at the cheerful policeman he calmed down it was clear that he had come with good news setting down his instrument he invited the guest into the house it turned out that Tony's sister had been adopted by a childless couple many years ago after being placed in an orphanage to avoid unnecessary gossip the family had moved to the countryside and lived just two Villages away from where Tony now resided excitedly Tony asked please tell me is she alive does she still live there I'll go there right away but the policeman just laughed placed

his hand on Tony's shoulder and sat him down calm down he continued jokingly there's no need to go anywhere your sister is alive unfortunately her parents are no longer alive so she has moved but you won't believe where Tony looked at him questioningly and the policeman as if testing his patience revealed information gradually at that moment the kitchen door swung open and Rachel appeared on the threshold radiating happiness well I'd like you to meet her said detective Shields she is your very real sister Rachel smiled and Tony felt like he was in a dream everything

that was happening seemed unreal but kind and happy now it became clear to him why Rachel's face seemed so familiar that day the three of them sat in the kitchen for a long time discussing everything they had learned as they were about to leave detective Shields offered to give Rachel a ride home they said goodbye to Tony and Tony could hardly sleep that night there had been so so much information lately that his head was about to burst the most important thing was that now he had his own sister and a wonderful nephew from that

day on Tony noticed that Paul began to visit their Village frequently that day after work they were going to have dinner at Tony's house they often gather there now when Paul appeared on the doorstep with a huge bouquet of flowers he nervously addressed Tony here's the thing I have fallen in love and want to marry Rachel Rachel has already given her consent Tony put on a serious expression and then barely restraining a smile said of course I don't mind but according to tradition the eldest members of the family have to arrange their private lives first

saying this he approached the woman standing at the stove embraced her and whispered Qui ly you agree to be my wife don't you Tony had been in love with Danielle a veterinarian who had come to examine eclipse for 3 months already he took great care of his horse considering it a Talisman of Happiness he had also met Danielle thanks to Eclipse during all this time Tony had been planning to propose to Danielle but couldn't must the courage now he thought it was the perfect moment that evening the small house felt especially warm in the cozy

kitchen and a month later they had a lively village wedding after the wedding everyone decided to stay and live in the village Tony received the inheritance that had been misappropriated by Vincent and his mother but instead of returning to the city he sold everything and expanded his farm giving half of it to his sister he learned from poor that his unmarried mother had moved in with Vincent who left without money had been living on odd jobs and drinking however Tony was not interested in this at all he became the happiest man loving his sister adoring

his wife and eagerly preparing to become a father and for all of this he was grateful to eclipse