Bernardo Briceño’s earliest memories were marked by neglect and fear. As a toddler in a cold orphanage, he recalled “how his tiny body shook in the gloomy light” and the harsh words, “Enough of this, we have to get rid of that brat!” It was clear to him early on that he was unwanted.

Life in the orphanage was filled with routine and loneliness. The “dimly lit hallways that smelled strongly of disinfectant” and cold meals offered little comfort. Affection was rare, yet Bernardo clung to hope—hope that one day he would be loved rather than seen as a burden.

Despite the hardships, rumors set him apart: whispers of a fortune left by wealthy parents. This strange inheritance was both a reminder of abandonment and a faint promise of a better future.

He grew up teased for his worn clothes and reserved nature, often escaping into books and dreams of love. Still, the pain forged resilience.

As the rumors of his inheritance grew, they fueled his determination to create a life rooted in “community and human connection.” The scars of his childhood became the foundation for a legacy of healing and hope.