Chapter 953 Vincent and Selene 1
Vincent was an orphan, but unlike others, he didn't resent his parents.
He once had a complete, happy family. His mother was beautiful, his father handsome. While they weren't as wealthy as the Douglas or Cunningham families, they provided enough for a stable childhood.
Growing up surrounded by love and protection, everything seemed perfect until tragedy struck, leaving him parentless.
With few relatives—none willing to take him in after learning his parents left no money and their house was foreclosed—Vincent was sent to an orphanage.
Having been sheltered by his family, Vincent initially didn't know how to defend himself, naively believing everyone had good intentions. But orphanages rarely house only kind souls.
He endured bullying, beatings, hunger, and false accusations. Gradually, he learned to fight back, discovering that targeting one aggressor fiercely during group attacks deterred future harassment.
This defiance marked the day he met his benefactor—a turning point in his life.
During one particular beating, Vincent refused to beg for mercy. Though outnumbered and bloodied, his eyes remained resolute.
That day, Wesley had come to the orphanage scouting for prospects, accompanied by Ethan's mother—a beautiful, gracious woman who reminded Vincent of his own mother.
"What's your name?" she asked.
Vincent clenched his jaw, refusing to speak.
When the orphanage director arrived, the bullies scattered, and Vincent limped away.
Later, all children were gathered as the director announced important visitors were selecting a child for adoption—a golden ticket to a life of comfort. Everyone prepared meticulously, hoping to be chosen.
They deliberately locked Vincent in the dormitory, determined to exclude him.
Yet Wesley wanted only him.
Wesley and Ethan's mother personally found Vincent curled in a corner of the locked dormitory.
"Would you like to come with me?" Wesley asked.
Vincent, teary-eyed, didn't respond.
"This is your one chance to change your life," Wesley said in his deep voice.
"I'll go with you," Vincent finally stood up, breathing heavily as he faced Wesley.
"Think carefully. Coming with me isn't about comfort. I'll provide the best education and opportunities, but I'm selecting you because I need value from you." Wesley needed someone to replace his grandson and absorb all dangers.
"From now on, you'll be another person's shadow, resolving his troubles and facing his risks. In return, everything you see that belongs to me... will be yours." Wesley was generous, eventually leaving Vincent the Hamilton family fortune.
Vincent agreed. Leaving the orphanage, he understood clearly he was merely a substitute—a shadow.
He experienced moments of resentment and envy, but never hatred. Having grown up in a loving home, his perspective differed.
He envied that Ethan had a grandfather's protection, but not that Ethan had parents—Vincent considered Ethan's father worthless compared to his own. What Vincent truly envied was Ethan's constellation of protective family members.
The difference between a cherished heir and himself was stark.
Through repeated trials, Vincent grew detached, building walls to protect himself.
But once, he too was just a child.
The year he was kidnapped in Ethan's place, he was still young.
The kidnappers mistook him for Ethan, terrorizing and torturing him—a nightmare Vincent could never escape.
"You're quite stubborn. Pull out his fingernails."
"You dare bite me? Break his teeth and send them to the Douglas family!"
"No..."
Vincent twitched in his nightmare, his body tense, fists clenched.
The therapy room was dark, as was the entire practice.
Selene couldn't find the light switch and could barely make out the sleeping figure. "This doctor is pretty relaxed, sleeping here... it's creepy." She approached slowly, using her phone's flashlight.
"Doctor? Doctor..."
"Ah!"
Vincent awoke startled, instinctively reaching for the intruder's throat.
But Selene's phone flashlight illuminated her face in the darkness, creating a terrifying image.
Vincent, normally fearless, jumped back in shock, clutching his chest.
Selene screamed in terror. "Ghost!"
Vincent rubbed his forehead and flipped the light switch.
After collecting himself, he recognized Liam's assistant. What terrible timing.
Selene collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
Vincent felt both irritated and awkward. "What are you crying for? You're the one who scared me looking like a ghost!"
Thanks to Selene, his kidnapping memories were momentarily replaced by the new fear of her ghost-like appearance with the flashlight under her face.
Selene was genuinely frightened—human scares could be deadly.
She sat wailing, making it seem like Vincent had harmed her.
"Stop crying!" Vincent shouted impatiently.
Normally, Vincent's anger terrified everyone—even Lily feared his mood shifts.
But Selene was immune. She continued crying while he continued shouting.
Vincent's intimidating temper hit a wall, frustrating him further. "Hey, you! Stop crying."
He couldn't remember Selene's name, as he never bothered memorizing names of people he considered insignificant.
To Vincent, Selene was merely a passing figure in his life.
"You scared me to death! And you broke my phone—you owe me money!" Selene cried harder seeing her cracked screen.
"Who's in there? Dr. Hawthorne?" A security guard called from outside.
Vincent quickly turned off the lights and covered Selene's mouth.
He dreaded creating more trouble.
Selene also tensed, falling silent.
When the noise outside subsided, Vincent pushed Selene away disgustedly and headed for the door.
Just as he was about to exit, he discovered the security guard had locked the therapy room—from the outside.
Just perfect!
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