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? Chapter Twenty-Three ?

Brandon's jaw went slack as he faintly recalled his son he had left all those years ago. It had crossed his mind many, many nights, but there wasn't much he could do in a Parisian prison. He was beyond flabbergasted. "Vincent? Oh my, this is unexpected, very unexpected. I didn't think you would ever come to visit me nor did I even think you remembered me." This was a whole lot to take in.

Vincent was confused, he hadn't said his name and surely the guards here wouldn't have said who had come to visit him. They always said 'you have a visitor' and nothing more since it was supposed to be a surprise. "How do you know my name?" He asked, wondering how on earth he could know his name. He was sure his father must've forgotten.

Brandon was glad he had asked, although the answer wasn't anything that made him look good, it was the truth. "Your mother let me name you, that was before I freaked out and abandoned you out of naiveté." He was naive, seeing as he was just barely an adult when he had a son of his own. That alone was enough to freak anyone out.

He paused for a moment when he watched his son keep his eyes on the table. It was shameful that he had done such a thing, however, it was in the past and it seemed Vincent wanted to know everything. "I suppose you are here for answers on why I abandoned you and your mother, how is she?" He asked, wanting to know how Renee was doing.

Vincent scoffed at his question, he truly didn't know. "I wouldn't know." His voice was cold as he snapped at his father. He needed to calm down. "I was also young when she abandoned me too. I haven't even heard from her let alone know how she is. You weren't the only one to leave me alone, to fend for myself, to raise myself." He narrowed his eyes on his father.

Brandon blinked a few times with a shocked expression painted on his face. His eyes darted to the table, how shameful. Even she abandoned him. Did this kid have anyone to rely on? To take care of him? "Oh, she abandoned you too? I am sorry Vincent. Who raised you then?" He asked not believing Renee did that but if he said it then it had to be true.

Vincent pursed his lips as he tapped his foot on the floor. "Rolando took me in when he found me trying to steal a car during the attack on the palace. He became my guardian, I will admit I wasn't the easiest kid to deal with since both of my parents left me to fend for myself." He explained, once again bringing up how he was abandoned. "However now I am grateful that he never gave up nor left me no matter how much trouble I caused."

Brandon tried to recall if he knew about Rolando, and he recalled something minor about the man. "Rolando, I vaguely remember him in passing. Who is he, if you don't mind me asking. I know of or about him, but a name is hardly anything to go on." His voice was hoarse as he spoke, pausing to cough into his elbow.

Vincent noticed he was coughing, but perhaps it could have been but a cold, seeing as it was a bit draft in here. "Rolando Galvin, head military sergeant for the late King Nathan Rosenberg. He took me in, treated me like a son, even if I never returned the favor. He is here, in Paris, I came along with him, he is going to propose to his girlfriend." He paused, why was he saying all this?

Brandon still didn't know who that was. But he was glad to hear someone did raise him and show him the unconditional love a child needed. Even if he never recuperated or showed gratitude. "I must thank him one of these days for raising you. He must be a very noble man, nobler than I ever was." He wasn't shy to admit his wrongdoings.

Vincent had taken notice that he was quick to admit his fault. That was something to be admired. Even now, he was having trouble admitting everything wrong he did. It was a start though, and he was going to see it through. "Noble? That sums up Rolando, but that is something I'm not either." He had never been a noble man.

Brandon, with a heavy heart, sighed deeply, leaning back in the chair. "I do regret abandoning you. There is no excuse I can give to justify my actions. I was young and scared, I wasn't ready to be a father. I did the most horrible thing any parent could do, abound their tiny, helpless child in this huge world. I can never apologize enough for my actions, there is nothing I can do to make up for it." He truly meant it.