CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 9
THE FIRST TIME HE CALLED HIM "DAD"
The ICU doors remained closed.
Connor stood outside, unable to move.
Just minutes ago...
He had finally called Robert the one word the old man had waited twenty-two years to hear.
"Dad."
And now...
Doctors were fighting to keep him alive.
Connor pressed both hands against his face.
"If anything happens to him..."
"...I'll never forgive myself."
Minutes later, Dr. Andrew Latham walked out.
Connor rushed toward him.
"Doctor?"
The surgeon removed his mask and smiled.
"He's stable."
Connor nearly collapsed with relief.
"The stress after surgery caused a temporary complication."
"But he's going to recover."
Connor closed his eyes.
For the first time that day...
He cried without trying to hide it.
The next morning, Robert was moved to a regular recovery room.
Sunlight streamed softly through the window.
Connor entered quietly, carrying a small paper bag.
Robert looked up and smiled.
"You came back."
Connor nodded.
"I should've come back a long time ago."
He placed the bag on the bedside table.
Inside was a slice of chocolate cake.
Robert looked surprised.
Connor laughed through his tears.
"Mom told me."
"You bought one every year..."
"...even when I never came home."
Robert chuckled.
"I always hoped..."
"...maybe this would be the year."
Connor lowered his head.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry for every birthday."
"Every lie I believed."
"Every cruel word I said."
"I blamed you..."
"...for losing the father I already had."
Robert gently shook his head.
"You were just a little boy."
"You needed someone to blame."
Connor's voice broke.
"And you carried that blame for twenty-two years."
Robert smiled.
"It was worth it."
Connor looked up.
"What?"
"I got to watch you grow into a good man."
Connor couldn't hold back anymore.
He stepped forward...
And wrapped his arms around Robert.
The old man hugged him back.
Neither of them spoke.
They didn't need to.
Twenty-two years of silence...
Ended in a single embrace.
But neither of them noticed...
Someone standing quietly outside the room.
Connor's uncle.
His face was pale.
Because he had just heard everything.
And he knew...
The truth he had buried for decades...
May you like
Was finally about to come out.
To be continued...
