Before I begin there are a few things I would like to clarify. As mentioned by one of fanfiction's contributors (varietyofwords) I could spend my time researching the history of this story or just write it as it comes to me; so to those history fanatics I apologize beforehand for any inaccuracies. Secondly, this story is based on a Mexican romance novel Bodas de Odio by Caridad Bravo Adams, it has been made into soap operas by various countries, the most famous and note worthy being Amor Real in 2003. I hope you enjoy my version of this story and I appreciate criticism, and so we begin…..
Chapter 1
Columbia, Maryland
December 1859
The manor had seen better days, it had once been a prominent house filled with laughter and joy. The owner, Mr. Bartholomew Bass had a lovely wife and three beautiful children: his eldest Robert, and two little girls Ashley and Savannah. It was rumored that if you listened closely you could still hear a child's laughter or if one felt more morbid a child's whimper. However, for another young man the manor brought different feelings, and as he approached these feelings increased; the feeling of being unwanted, imperfect, but most importantly a disgrace to his father. As he walked the halls he saw the consequences of the cholera outbreak, an empty dark house with its only survivor now on his death bed, and he could not help but feel sorry for the man who once had everything and had lost it all in a blink of an eye. He approached the room in which his father was in and saw a priest, a middle aged man with his daughter, and his confidant, Arthur. As for his father he laid in bed awaiting his death. The young girl surprised by the new occupant asked her father who the young man was. "His name is Charles Bartholomew Bass, it is a complicated story one I will tell you later, but know this he was married before and from this marriage the man you see before you was born. Although, he had fallout with his father he is his sole heir and has a right to see him." Chuck ignored the other people and approached the bed, the priest tried to get Bart to repent from his sins and apologize to his son for how he was treated but as Bart reached a hand towards Chuck he said, "Thanks to me you are who you are. You will never be the man I was." And with those parting words Mr. Bart Bass left his son once more.