The Gotham Inheritance

Chapter Four – Ashes of the Night

The dining hall lay in ruins. Shattered glass crunched under the feet of servants who finally dared to return, sweeping frantically, whispering in fear.

The chandelier swayed faintly above, its light flickering over the devastation, splintered chairs, broken plates, spilled wine that stained the marble floor like blood.

Ray stood in the center of it all, chest heaving, the golden ring clenched so tightly in his fist that it cut into his skin. The Gotham relatives huddled at the far end of the hall, whispering like vultures.

“Did you see the way he fought?” one muttered.

“Uncivilized.”

“No, unnatural.”

“Maybe he invited that intruder…” another whispered, eyes darting nervously.

Ray ignored them. His gaze was locked on Maria, who sat trembling in her chair, her hands clutching her gown as though to keep from falling apart.

Her wide eyes searched his face, searching for answers he didn’t yet have. And then there was Mrs. Gotham.

She stood tall amidst the wreckage, her poise unbroken, her cold eyes burning into Ray. Not a word of comfort for her daughter.

Not a word of concern for the danger that had just unfolded. Only that sharp, poisonous glare that seemed to pierce through him.

Finally, she spoke.

“Are you satisfied now?” Her voice carried across the hall, cold and steady. “Because of you, my home has been violated. Because of your stubbornness, my daughter was put in danger.”

Ray turned to her slowly, the weight of the ring heavy in his palm. “You’re blaming me?”

“Who else?” Mrs. Gotham snapped. “Ever since you walked into this family, misfortune has followed. And now, armed intruders? Letters about conspiracies? This isn’t a coincidence. This is your doing.”

Whispers rose again among the relatives, feeding on her venom. Ray stepped forward, his voice steady despite the storm inside him.

“That man wasn’t after you. He wasn’t after Maria. He was after this.” He raised the ring, its gold glinting under the chandelier’s light.

Mrs. Gotham’s face twitched, the briefest flicker of recognition flashing before she regained her icy composure. Ray caught it. Maria caught it too.

“Mother…” Maria’s voice trembled. “You know something about this ring. About his mother’s death. Tell us the truth.”

Mrs. Gotham’s lips curled. “Truth? The truth is your husband is dragging you into madness. A poor man’s fantasies. Do not let him infect you with his delusions.”

“Delusions?” Ray’s voice cracked with fury. He took another step closer, the memory of his mother’s letter echoing in his mind. Do not trust those closest to you, they may already be compromised.

He jabbed a finger toward Mrs. Gotham. “You tried to stop me from opening the box. You weren’t surprised when he came. You knew. All this time, you’ve known!”

“Enough!” Mrs. Gotham’s voice boomed, silencing the whispers. “You are nothing but a stray my daughter picked up. Don’t presume to accuse me of secrets beyond your station.”

Maria stood suddenly, tears in her eyes. “He’s my husband!” she cried. Her voice shook, but it was the loudest anyone had heard her in years. “Stop treating him like he’s nothing! Stop”

Her voice broke. She sank back, shaking. Ray’s heart twisted at the sight of her, caught between loyalty to him and fear of her mother.

Mrs. Gotham’s eyes softened briefly at Maria’s tears, but her tone remained iron. “My dear, you’re blinded. He will drag you into ruin. I won’t allow it.”

The words stung Ray more than the cut on his arm. He had lost the box. He had lost the letter. And Maria, the one person who might have stood by him, was slipping through his fingers, torn in half by her mother’s chains.

Ray turned away, staring at the broken window where the intruder had fled. His mother’s voice seemed to whisper in his ears, from the letter he had read only minutes ago: Find the Guardian, and you will find the truth.

The Guardian.

The intruder had looked at the ring and hesitated. His words echoed now: You wear her blood. Then you should already know.

What blood? What truth? Who was the Guardian? His mother had carried these secrets all her life. And now he was left with nothing but fragments. But fragments were enough to start.

Ray slid the ring onto his finger. It fit perfectly, as though it had been waiting. A strange warmth spread through him, subtle yet undeniable. It wasn’t just a ring. It was a key.

Behind him, Maria whispered, her voice trembling. “Ray… what if Mother is right? What if this is dangerous? What if chasing this will destroy us?”

Ray turned to her, his gaze heavy with determination. “Maria… my mother’s death wasn’t an accident. Someone killed her. And they’ve been hiding the truth all this time. I can’t let it go. Not now.”

Maria’s eyes filled with tears. She shook her head slightly, torn between fear and love.

Mrs. Gotham’s cold voice cut in. “And if you go digging, boy, you won’t like what you find. Some doors are better left closed.”

Ray’s lips tightened. “Then I’ll break them open.”

The room trembled with silence. Mrs. Gotham’s eyes narrowed, her voice dropping into a venomous whisper only he could hear.

“You don’t know the world you’re stepping into, Ray. And when it swallows you whole, don’t expect me, or my daughter, to pull you out.”

Ray met her gaze without flinching. “I don’t need you. Or your world.”

He turned on his heel, striding past the ruined table, past the stares of the Gotham family, his bloodied sleeve and fierce eyes leaving an impression they had never seen before.

As he stepped into the darkened hallway beyond, his grip tightened on the ring. His path was no longer uncertain.

He would find the Guardian, He would uncover the truth. And he would tear down every wall Mrs. Gotham tried to build around him.

But as he disappeared into the shadows of the Gotham mansion, one truth lingered like a cold hand on his shoulder: If his mother had warned him not to trust those closest to him…

Then who, among the few he thought he could rely on, was already compromised?