He felt a pang of regret as he realized the depth of the estrangement between himself and his father. The letter, impersonal and curt, stirred old memories, reminding him of the chasm that had gradually grown between them. As Mark looked back, he saw only missed opportunities and unspoken words that had piled up over the years. He wondered if he could have done anything differently, if he had asked more questions, shown more interest, or tried harder to understand his father.
His reflections were interrupted by the mention of Richard’s disappearance in the letter. His father had vanished without a trace years ago, leaving behind a storm of speculations and unanswered questions. The local authorities had searched extensively, but Richard had seemingly vanished into thin air.
This letter was a grim reminder of the mystery surrounding his father. It suddenly made Mark’s inherited manor feel more like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces than a simple home. He was no longer just the son; he was now the custodian of Richard’s legacy and the sole investigator of his mysterious life.