Fredrick's determination solidified as he released Sophia's hands. "I need to know more about Henry," he said, his voice firm. "I need to find out who he really was, what his motives were, and why he did what he did."
Sophia's expression turned curious.

"What do you hope to achieve by doing that, Fredrick?"
Fredrick's eyes narrowed. "I want to understand the truth. I want to know if I was blind to something, if there were signs I missed. I want to know if Henry's actions were a result of my own failures."

Sophia nodded. "I understand. But be careful, Fredrick. The truth can be painful."
Fredrick's jaw clenched. "I'm ready for it. I need to know."

With newfound resolve, Fredrick stood up, his mind racing with possibilities. He would uncover the truth about Henry, no matter what it took. He would talk to people, dig up records, and follow every lead. He would leave no stone unturned.

Sophia watched him, a mixture of concern and admiration on her face. "I'll help you, Fredrick. We'll uncover the truth together."

Fredrick's gaze met hers, a sense of gratitude and determination in his eyes. "Let's do it."

Fredrick nodded to himself as he watched Sophia leave. He knew she had her own life to attend to, and he couldn't expect her to be involved in his quest for truth. This was his journey, his burden to bear.

With a newfound sense of determination, Fredrick turned his attention to the task at hand. He began by making a list of people he needed to talk to, starting with those who had known Henry best.

He spent the rest of the day making phone calls, setting up meetings, and gathering information. He scoured the internet, looking for any mention of Henry's name, any clue that might lead him to the truth.

As the sun began to set, Fredrick took a deep breath, feeling a sense of purpose he hadn't felt in years. He was ready to face whatever lay ahead, ready to uncover the secrets that had haunted him for so long.

With a sense of resolve, Fredrick sat down at his desk, his eyes fixed on the stack of papers and notes in front of him. He was ready to begin his investigation, ready to find out who Henry really was.

As Fredrick sat at his desk, pouring over the notes and papers, one of his colleagues, Alex, walked in and cleared his throat to get Fredrick's attention.

"Hey, Fredrick, I couldn't help but overhear you're looking into Henry's past," Alex said, his voice low.
Fredrick looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you know about him?"

Alex leaned against the doorframe, his expression thoughtful. "I knew Henry, worked with him on a few projects. He was a wealthy man, Fredrick. Wealthy enough to feed his entire community for years."

Fredrick's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That's what I've been trying to understand. How did he make his money?"

Alex shrugged. "I don't know the details, but I do know he had investments all over the world. Real estate, tech, you name it. He was a smart businessman."
Fredrick's mind raced with possibilities. "And what about his personal life? Did he have any enemies?"

Alex's expression turned somber. "Henry was a complex man, Fredrick. He had his demons, just like the rest of us. But I will say this - he was fiercely loyal to those he cared about. If you crossed him, though...let's just say you didn't want to be on his bad side."
Fredrick nodded, his eyes never leaving Alex's face. "I see. And do you know anything about his connection to Fiona?"

Alex's eyes dropped, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I should be saying this, but...Henry and Fiona's family went way back. There was a lot of history between them, a lot of secrets."

Alex's curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "Fredrick, why are you digging up all this old stuff? What's driving you to know so much about Henry's past?"

Fredrick's eyes clouded, his gaze drifting off into the distance. "I need to understand why he did what he did, Alex. I need to know what drove him to hurt the people I love."

Alex pressed on, his voice gentle but insistent. "But why now, Fredrick? Why after all these years?"
Fredrick's focus snapped back to Alex, his eyes burning with intensity.

"Because I've been living in the dark
for too long, Alex. I've been living with the guilt and the shame, thinking I was to blame for what happened. But now I'm starting to realize that there's more to the story, that there are secrets and lies that have been hidden from me."
Alex's expression turned thoughtful.

"And you think uncovering these secrets will set you free?"

Fredrick nodded, his jaw set in determination. "I do, Alex. I need to know the truth, no matter how painful it might be. I need to know who Henry really was, and why he did what he did."

Alex's expression turned somber, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Fredrick, I think you're looking for answers in the wrong place. Henry's past isn't the reason Fiona left you."
Fredrick's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "What do you mean?"

Alex's gaze dropped, his words hesitant. "I mean, your life, Fredrick...it was suffocating her. The secrets, the lies, the constant looking over your shoulder...it was too much for her."

Fredrick's face went white, his eyes wide with shock. "What are you saying?"

Alex's voice was firm but gentle. "I'm saying that Fiona left you because of the life you were living, Fredrick. The life that Henry's actions had created. She couldn't take it anymore."

Fredrick's world came crashing down around him. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him. He couldn't speak, couldn't think. All he could do was sit there, stunned, as the truth hit him like a ton of bricks.