My Alleged Husband

Chapter 846: Chapter 792: Self-reproach

Zhang Zhentian heard these words from her daughter-in-law, and then she realized that all the things she had done over the years were simply unforgivable. Moreover, with each and every deed she had done, what right did she have to ask for her family’s forgiveness? After having abandoned them, after having inflicted pain upon them and disregarded the interests of the entire clan just for her own joy and freedom to soar in the sky, she ultimately climbed higher only to fall harder, and in the end, still found herself with nowhere to turn but back to this home.

”Zhihan, Dad knows you’ve always had objections to this matter, but there are some things I still hope to make clear to you. I’m really not the heartless and unprincipled person people say I am. I know everyone in this family needed me all those years when I chose to evade the responsibilities I should have shouldered.

It’s normal for you to have objections against me, but do you know? The day I chose to come back home, the day I mustered the courage to bow down and apologize to everyone, was proof that deep down in my heart, I genuinely want to return to this family. I can’t bear to let everyone be hurt alongside me. I want to come back and take a look at my son, live rightfully and honorably in this home, and I want everyone outside to know that I’m not an utterly unfilial person. I also hope that one day, every member of this family will support me, without dwelling on every mistake I’ve ever made. Those mistakes are like a knife constantly at my heart, causing me unbearable pain.

No one can understand the thrill and joy of a father who has been away from his son for so many years and finally returns home. Do you know how much I hoped that I could come back here one day? And now that my wish has come true and I’m home, some choose to forgive me, while others still harbor prejudices against me. I know these prejudices can’t be dispelled in just a few words, and I’m aware that the pain I’ve caused you over the years is inevitable. But do you know? I too want to live happily, and I truly wish to make it up to each and every one of you!

I am acutely aware that the pain I’ve brought upon you is indelible, but I will do everything in my power to make it up to you, to treat you well, to ensure that everyone in this home lives comfortably, happily, joyfully — as long as you’re willing to give me that chance!”

Ran Zhihan was just feeling indignant on behalf of her husband, but she never expected her father to be so humble before her, a younger generation. She felt a bit embarrassed and awkward inside. Have her actions ultimately led everyone to misunderstand her good intentions? All she wanted was to let them truly appreciate her husband’s dependence on them, to sincerely return and properly cherish her husband, and not to abandon their own family members so easily as before, as that would bring pain to everyone!

”Dad, I was wrong in this matter. I shouldn’t have been so selfish or said those things to you. I hope you can understand my dedication as a wife. I can’t bear to see my own husband in such sorrow, living so hard, time and time again bearing all the pain just so his family can live happily. How could I bear to let such a good man be hurt?

All these years, no one knew how hard he had toiled alone. The so-called understanding from others was merely obtained through inquiries or investigations, and those findings were often not the real truth. The only reality is what I have seen with my own eyes: how he has gone through all the hardships to build this glory today. His brilliant achievements have earned the envy, jealousy, and resentment of many, and how many have stabbed him in the back or tripped him up?

But he has never given up and has continued to persevere because he believes that as long as he keeps going, he will one day live a very happy life, and he won’t have to be reactive. All he wants is peace of mind, and to make his family happy. Indeed, he has never abandoned any of his family members all these years.

In truth, there is no difference between people, and the biggest difference between you and him is that he, alone, took on all the suffering and exhaustion to protect his family, to not abandon his home.

But you chose to abandon your entire world for the sake of freedom. You forewent familial love, which meant nothing to your eyes, but in his eyes, family is everything.

Well, maybe that’s the difference. No one knows what others are thinking deep down, nor can anyone see clearly what motivations lie in another’s heart. Only each one knows their own feelings.

I envy the understanding between you two as husband and wife, a connection that no one can see through or experience. But the one thing I don’t envy is that my husband is stronger than you, he never thought of abandoning us, and whether he loves me a bit more or the family a bit more, at least in his view, family love outweighs everything. He can do without money, freedom, happiness, but he cannot abandon his family!

Dad, I’m not criticizing you, I just want to let you know that what you’ve given up isn’t just your family, but all familial love. I’ve also thought a lot these past few days, and no matter what, you are still our parents, and we can’t shut you out forever. I still sincerely welcome you back to become a part of this family. I hope our big family will only get better from now on, that we live happily together, never dwelling on those sad things of the past.

You parents don’t have to blame yourselves anymore, let’s not mention things of the past. Today, we’ve spoken openly, and from now on, it’s enough for us to live with peace of mind. If we keep clinging to the past, no one can be happy, right?”

”Child, you’re right, but after doing so many wrong things, how can we not feel remorse in our hearts? We have souls too, and we don’t want our family to be hurt, yet our actions have caused you such grief!”