Semua Bab A Father’s Farewell Denied: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Having sorted through my son’s belongings, I took the death certificate to the hospital director for a signature.As I passed the half-open door of a VIP ward on the third floor, I spotted Logan Pearce. He had been gone for days.“Colonel, Jenny only suffered a minor scrape. You’ve been staying here with her for five days now. Aren’t you planning to go home?“Mrs. Pearce has come to the barracks several times, and per your order, I didn’t let her see you even once. “On a few occasions, she even went down on her knees and begged you to go see your son. “Colonel, is this really the right thing to do?”Carter, Logan’s personal bodyguard, stood in the ward looking pained.Logan’s expression remained unchanged. Though irritation flickered across his face with his lips pursed at the mention of my kneeling. Immediately afterward, however, his gaze shifted to the young woman asleep in the hospital bed, and his voice grew firm.“There’s nothing right or wrong about it. Jenny just go

Artie’s toys had all been made by both his grandfathers.His clothes were always mended with patches whenever they tore.Even when I suggested buying him one of those navy-striped shirts every child in the military compound seemed to own, Artie would shake his head vigorously.“Mom, I’ve still got clothes to wear. Dad works so hard to earn money. I don’t want a new one.”It wasn’t until this year, when he was finally about to start school, that he came to me with his face flushed and whispered, “Mom, on my first day of school, can I wear a new shirt without any patches?”The memory made the corners of my lips curl into a faint smile.At the same time, a tear fell onto the needle and thread in my hands. I quickly wiped it away and kept on sewing. I owed this much to Artie. I simply must make it for him.At eight o’clock that evening, Logan finally came home.He was wearing the military uniform that was Artie’s favorite. He was carrying a pink floral-patterned tote bag.Upon

Over time, Logan came to think that Artie liked walnut tart.Little did he know, Artie had asthma and hated dry, crumbly food.The pastry had never been what made him happy.It was the joy of seeing his father come home safe and sound.My chest tightened, but I managed a faint smile. “Thank you.”Logan smiled back and continued, “Jenny’s kid really liked Artie’s clothes. Why don’t we just give them to him?“Fabric is inexpensive these days anyway, so you can just make him another set. What do you think?”I nodded, feeling unusually calm inside. “Sure.”Logan was a little taken aback, somewhat unsettled by my composure.“You’re not mad?”I shook my head.“I’m not angry.“But tonight’s our son’s birthday. Could you come home later and spend time with him at home?”Realizing I had a request, Logan breathed a sigh of relief.He smiled and gave me a military salute.“Mission accepted.”That evening, I cooked a feast of Artie’s favorite dishes. I placed his portrait on

“Why? I worked so hard to earn military honors so you could have a better life. Why weren’t you happy?”I shook my head with a scoff.“A better life? What does that even mean? Have you ever asked what Artie and I truly wanted?”Logan held his gaze on me, something unfathomable flickering in his eyes. “I’ve never let either of you go without food, clothes, or a roof over your heads. What else could you possibly want?”The corners of my lips lifted faintly as I looked out to the sky beyond the door. My mind drifted for a moment.“Back when Artie and I still lived in the countryside, we had very little, even having to split a single flatbread in half. But we were content.“His favorite thing at that time was sitting with me in the yard, watching the plum tree you’d planted by the wall, and counting how many plums it bore.“Whenever he saw the plum blossoms, he’d be overjoyed for ages. He’d run after me and said that when the tree’s full of fruit, it means you’ll be coming home.

“Willow, I really know I was wrong. Please, can you give me another chance?“I really don't want to lose you.“It was all my fault. I'm a bastard. You can hit me, curse me—whatever you want. Just don't leave, please?”Logan had always been an intensely proud man.I'd rarely seen him lower himself like this.Instead of feeling touched or sorry for him, I only found it laughable.I sighed.“Logan, I've already filed for divorce. Let's stop holding on to each other."“No! I don’t want that!”He shook his head and refused to let go of my hand.I looked at his grief with cold, detached eyes. It stirred nothing in me.The station began broadcasting that the train would soon depart.I instinctively glanced toward the platform.The moment I did, Logan grew visibly more anxious.As though he believed that if he loosened his grip for even a second, I would disappear forever.Seeing that he still refused to let go, an idea suddenly came to me.I pointed behind him and shouted, “Je