Sir Robert Collins breathed heavily as he turned his head, forcing his gaze towards Patrick. His body was weak, drained of all strength, and he had no energy left to speak-not even enough to keep his eyes open for more than a few seconds at a time. Yet despite his frailty, he could not stop the tears that slipped down his cheeks. Never in his long and dignified life would he have imagined that his own son-the boy he had raised, loved, and trusted-would be the one to render him so helpless, to bring him to the edge of death with such quiet cruelty.
Patrick tried to wipe his tears but he turned his head away, unwilling to look at him.
"I had no other option," he said quietly in a low and strained voice as he looked down at his own hands and continued, "You left me with none. Even when Spencer was ready to kill someone for inheritance, you were unwilling to stop him. How could you do that, Father?
