My Beloved Uncle (Baskerville #1)

(S2): Leonard's Past

It's been two weeks since Raina burned to death and Frank is shocked and saddened to learn his wife died. He didn't want Raina to die that way. Frank finds a small bottle of poison in his wife's dresser drawer just like what Sara said on Raina's funeral day.

" Maybe you can find a poison bottle on her dresser. I used to find him there too and I'm sorry my daughter, for trying to kill you."

" I've forgiven Raina."

"Raina's soul has been disturbed ever since she was severely depressed and we neglected to look after her, so she ran away."

"If I may know why he got depressed?"

" Because Raina was left married by her lover."

Frank nodded in understanding.

" Thank you for loving Raina."

" Even though Raina became my wife only briefly, she was a good wife."

"Hopefully you will soon get a wife who is truly sincere in love with you. Bye bye!"

"Bye bye!"

Sara leaves Frank alone at the funeral.

Frank threw out the contents of the poison bottle and threw the bottle in the trash. He left the room with his suitcase. Her memories with Raina hurt her heart. He went out of the room Frank decided to take a short vacation to calm his mind.

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Raina and Leonard are shocked to hear her parents' story about Raina. From them Leonard finally knew, that Raina they meant was Raina's ex-lover sister.

" It never occurred to me before that Frank's wife was my sister's ex-boyfriend. The woman who ruined my sister's life."

"You have to forgive him" Leonard said as they were in the room.

" I've forgiven him."

Raina hugged her husband.

" There's something I want to say. I should have told you earlier."

Raina let go of her embrace, looking at her husband curiously.

"What?"

" But you have to promise me that you won't be mad at me."

" What's really going on?"

"Please promise me you won't be angry."

"Well, I won't be angry. Now tell me what's going on?"

" I'm not the real Leonard Clemonte."

"What do you mean?"

" The real Leonard Clemonte died deep in the lake at the age of 6."

" So you're not Leonard? Then what's your real name?"

" My name is Leonard, because that's the name they gave me."

Raina scrunched her forehead."Them?"

" My grandfather and uncle."

" My father and mother never knew I wasn't their son, because their son Leonard was dead."

"How your parents don't recognize their own children. They must have recognized his son's face, right?"

" That's right. It's a long story."

"I'll listen to him."

24 Years ago

During a snowstorm a woman wearing an old brown coat carried a basket with a baby and left it in foster care. The woman pressed the bell, then quickly hid behind a tree waiting for someone to take the baby.

One of the caretakers of the orphanage opened the door and was surprised to see the basket containing the baby. The manager brought the baby in. The woman then left with a sad look.

" I'm sorry Mom. I had to do this. One day you'll understand why I sent you to the orphanage. Goodbye bye!"

The woman wiped away her tears that had dripped with the sleeves of her coat. Inside the orphanage, the caretakers swarmed their newly found babies.

" There is a letter" said one of the caretakers named Bella.

Bella took the letter and read it.

The name of this boy is Jodan.

" So your name is Jodan" Bella said to the smiling baby. Inside the basket was also found a silver necklace with a pendant with eagle carvings and behind it was engraved Jodan's name.

Year after year, Jodan grows up to be an agile, jovial, and clever boy. Since his presence there, the orphanage became crowded. When Jodan was 6 years old, there was a fire in the kitchen of the orphanage, and some kitchen servants were trapped in the fire.

Everyone can be saved including Jodan, but Jodan is seriously injured. Part of his face was damaged, due to burns.

Meanwhile, at the Clemonte family residence, all the servants were deployed in search of Leonard who had disappeared since this morning.

" Mister Leonard, where are you?"shouted the servants who were looking for his whereabouts.

They continued to search, but Leonard was still nowhere to be found when it was late. The search was eventually stopped.

" How is this Dad ?"ask Daniel, uncle Leonard.

" We'll find him."

"What if Andre and Silvia go home and Leonard disappears?"

" We'll find Leonard before they get back from Cairo."

" I hope we find him soon."

Andrew and his father do not speak anymore and they are busy with their respective thoughts thinking of Leonard who is out of nowhere.

The next morning a search was conducted around the mansion, as Leonard did not leave the area of the mansion and estate. This time the search involved the police. Every inch of the plantation was traced and sniffer dogs were deployed.

At noon Leonard was found floating in a lake in the plantation area and pronounced dead.

Daniel and his father are shocked to see Leonard is dead.

" The time of death is estimated to be one day and it looks like your granddaughter drowned in the lake while boating alone. Upon inspection it was most likely that the boat was leaking so that your granddaughter fell into the lake."

" Oh my God. Leonard can't swim" said his father Daniel.

" But why is Leonard boating here alone?"daniel didn't understand. " Somebody should take care of the kid. Where was Leonard's nanny when the boy went to the lake?"

No one answered, and the police brought Leonard's body into the house. The entire mansion is in an uproar by Leonard's death. The servants cried.

Daniel and his father immediately approached Leonard's body and they were so devastated by his death, that even Daniel's father almost fainted to see his grandson had stiffened.

" Leonard, come back!"

William, Leonard's grandfather kissed his grandson's face hoping that the boy would wake up again.

" It's Dad! Everything has happened. We've been negligent in looking after Leonard."

Leonard's nanny named Evie was very surprised to see her foster child was lifeless and Daniel immediately scolded her.

" You should have taken good care of Leonard. Where were you at that time?"

"I'm sorry Mr. Daniel. That time after helping Mr. Leonard get dressed, I told him to do schoolwork. I left it in the room, then I helped another waitress in the kitchen. I didn't know Mr. Leonard went out without permission first."

" Please keep Leonard's death a secret to Andre and Silvia."

" What? But how can we keep it a secret to them? If they come back, they'll know that Leonard's dead."

" Dad already had a plan."

" What plan?"

" I'll explain later. All we need to do now is set up Leonard's funeral."

After Leonard's funeral was over, William instructed all the servants and all the workers on the estate to keep Leonard's death a secret to his parents.

" Do you understand?"exclaiming William.

" We understand."

" good. Now back to your respective work."

They disbanded and returned to their respective work as if nothing had happened.

William took Daniel somewhere.

" Where are we going?"ask Daniel.

" You will know later. "

Daniel looked at his father trying to figure out what his father was thinking and planning, then the car entered an old building's courtyard and Daniel was surprised to see the writing in front of the gate.

The little angel orphanage

" Why are we going to the orphanage?"

William did not answer Daniel's question. They entered the orphanage and their arrival was greeted by the head of the orphanage.

" Welcome Mr. Clemonte! I've been waiting for your arrival."

" Take me to the kids!"

" all right. Let's follow me!"

" Please pay attention to the children! We have guests. This is Mr. Clemonte and his coming here to adopt one of you."

I heard the joyful cheers from the kids. Daniel was surprised to learn the meaning of his father coming here.

" Are you seriously going to adopt one of them?"daniel asked in a half-whispered voice.

" Right."

"But for what?"

" As Leonard's replacement."

"Have you gone crazy? How could one of those kids possibly be Leonard's replacement?"

" You'll know later."

"Please Lord Clemonte!"said the head of the orphanage.

Willian went around looking at the boys he would choose as a replacement for Leonard, his grandson. He then saw a child sitting pensively by the window and the child's face was partially damaged by burns.

" What's your name?"

" Jodan."

" Jodan's face was broken, from burns," the orphanage's head said.

" So that's it. I'm gonna adopt Jodan."

There were boisterous voices from the children. They do not believe that Jodan was chosen. Jodan was also surprised that there would be someone who would adopt him, because all this time he had resigned no one who would adopt him due to a defect in his face.

" Mister Clemonte, are you serious about adopting Jodan?"

" Of course."

" All right then. Can you follow me?"

William and Daniel followed the head of the orphanage into his room.

" Please sit down!"

" Are you seriously going to adopt Jodan?"

" You're very serious."

" But Jodan's face is deformed."

" Dad knows."

" Look, Mr. Clemonte, Jodan is a good boy. Glad you adopted him. The boy used to be a very jolly boy, but after his face was broken, he became a quiet and often daydreaming child. The boy thought no one would adopt him."

" I'm sure Jodan will be a jolly boy again once we adopt him."

" Thank you."

After the business was over William and Daniel waited for Jodan at the exit. Jodan said goodbye to his friends.In the car Jodan very quiet. William stroked his head gently.

" Are you sad for leaving your friends?"

Jodan.

"You don't feel sad anymore."

Jodan nodded back.

"Thank you for adopting me."

" I'll talk to you later at home."

The black sedan car was parked seamlessly in front of the mansion's door. A few servants greeted their arrival. William brings Jodan in and gets a lot of attention from the waiters guessing who the boy his master brought.

Jodan was amazed by Mr. Clemonte's stay. He did not expect to be adopted by a wealthy family.

"Sit down!"william's orders once they arrive at his study.

" Your house is very nice."

"thank you. Are you happy to be here?"

"I'm happy."

William smiled.

" My grandson has just died and I want you to take my grandson's place, so from now on your name is not Jodan anymore. Your name is Leonard Danila Clemonte."

" So my name was changed?"

" yes. Do you like that name?"

"I like it."

" Good."

William then showed me a picture of his son and daughter-in-law." This is my son His name is Andre and this is my son-in-law his name is Silvia. They will be your parents and do not tell them that you are an adopted child. You have to keep it a secret. Do you understand?"

" I understand, but why keep it a secret?"

" I don't want them to know that their son is dead. You're here to replace their dead son and this is Leonard, my recently deceased grandson."

" My face and Leonard's different for sure they'll know."

"They don't know, if your face was operated on."

"Operation?"

"Yes. Part of the face is broken, if you pass it your face will return to normal and I will make your face like Leonard."

" Can it be?"

"Of course you can. Tomorrow we'll see a doctor to check on your health. Now go to your room and rest! The waiter will take you to the room."

" All right."

After Jodan left, Daniel approached his father.

" Dad's plan is completely insane. What if Andre and Silvia get caught?"

" They won't know, if no one tells them."

" It's up to you" said Daniel, annoyed, and walked out of his father's study.

Jodan had been in Leonard's room which had now become his room. This was the first time he had his own room. His heart was so happy, but he was also sad to have to replace Leonard in this family.

Evie came to bring tea and cake.

" I'm Evie and from now on I'll be your babysitter."

"Hi Evie, I hope we can be good friends."

"Of course."

Jodan ate his cake happily.

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The next day William took Jodan to the hospital for a series of medical tests. Jodan's face is scheduled for three more days.

" You don't have to fear surgery. Everything's gonna be okay."

Jodan.

The day of the operation arrived. Jodan looks very nervous. William tried to calm her down.

" Relax! After the surgery is over you will have a new face."

Jodan began to enter the operating room and William waited outside feeling uneasy. After a long wait Jodan came out of the operating room with his face wrapped in bandages.

William is happy his operation went well. He can't wait to see the results. Andre and Silvia need not grieve over the death of their son. Jodan will be Leonard forever.

Jodan had regained consciousness and he touched his bandaged face.

" Grandfather said everything's gonna be okay, right?"

" When will this bandage be removed?"

"Wait a few more days. How you feeling?"

" Good."

" In a moment you'll have a new face and that's when your identity will completely change to Leonard."

" Aren't people gonna suspect that I'm not Leonard?"

"You just calm down. No one will know ."

"Hopefully."

"Your parents will be back next month. Grandpa just got word from them."

" I hope they won't suspect that I'm not Leonard."

"As long as you don't say anything, they won't know. You want to be their child?"

"I want to."

" Grandfather doesn't want to make them sad."

" I am too."

William stroked Jodan's head gently. [ ]