My Alleged Husband

Chapter 909: Chapter 830_12

Never once had he shown them even a shred of love. He was utterly unworthy of being a father. But then why was he choosing this way to forgive himself? Did he truly wish so desperately to return to this household? Yet he had never given her any love; on the contrary, he had hurt her again and again. Sometimes, he couldn’t believe it—was he truly berating himself? How did he become this person who could so casually hurt and abandon his own family? Was this even the person he used to be? The person he used to be would never be so numb and indifferent, never sacrifice every member of his family for just a little bit of gain. Every decision he made was wrong; every action a mistake. All the mistakes he had committed—they seemed to be so easily forgiven in their eyes. So what was he still doubting now? Shouldn’t he just return home and live joyfully with them? Would he really have to wait until every single one of them had left him before realizing regret? Why did he always become aware of their importance only so belatedly, after the damage was done? For every mistake he had made, how could he ever begin to heal the wounds buried deep within them? Time and again, he took a path divergent from theirs, hoping to earn them a happy and blissful life by walking this path alone. Yet time and again, he had brought them suffering—who else would ever understand that?

”Child, I know deep down that I am not a qualified father, because everything I’ve done has hurt you. But I hope you can truly and sincerely forgive me just this once. No matter what you do, no matter what words you say to me, no matter your actions—I, as your father, will never blame you. Because all of this is what I owe you. I have no right to blame you. All I wish for is that you live well and take good care of your grandfather. Your grandfather has endured far, far too much—too much hardship, too much pain. Him reaching this point in life alone has not come easily. All of this is the consequence of the heartless abandonment we dealt him when we left. We can blame no one for it but ourselves. On the contrary, the outcomes we faced back then, we never imagined the pain it would inflict upon you all. Did you ever think about it? Whether you’d be happy, whether you’d feel joy or peace?

If our departure truly brings you joy deep down, truly makes you happy, then please tell us. If you tell us, we will surely leave. I’m not clinging stubbornly to stay in this house. We just hope every member of this family can genuinely feel how earnestly and sincerely we are apologizing to you, how wholeheartedly we wish to remain by your side. Perhaps everything I’ve done has been utterly wrong, but I hope that everything you do can take my perspective into account for just a moment. I’ve already suffered countless blows and hurts myself. None of us have gone through life unscathed. Every single person has faced their own burden of pain and sorrow. None of us have arrived here laughing and carefree. Every single step has been strewn with hardships and storms. It’s been far from easy, hasn’t it? I believe, deep down, you understand. Because more than anyone, you know where all of this came from, don’t you? You’ve already felt that pain yourself. So do you truly want your grandfather to endure the same suffering again? Your grandfather isn’t the Saint!

I know, deep down, you truly hate me. But your grandfather—he’s innocent. He hasn’t committed any wrong. Everything he’s done has been simply for the hope that every member of this family can live joyful lives. If our actions have brought him harm, then what meaning is there in any of this?

Truthfully, deep down, you understand more than anyone that what your grandfather needs most is the genuine concern and companionship of every member of this family. He may seem indifferent to everything else, but that doesn’t mean he’s unaffected by the things you’ve done. These past few years, we don’t even know what he has truly gone through. So why must you carry everything alone, until all of it weighs down on you in the end? Have you considered how much this so-called ”burden” could hurt your grandfather? You know the sadness and suffering he’s felt—not a single bit of it has escaped your notice. You are more aware than anyone of how hard the situation has been for him, of the bittersweet struggles he’s endured to this day. You’ve seen it plainly.

What we need, most of all, is to let go of our scores and truly stay by grandfather’s side. Let’s not make him face the kind of heartbreak and anguish he endured before. Why do we insist upon treating him as we have in the past? Why do we gamble again and again with grandfather’s happiness? Is that truly fair to him? He doesn’t owe us anything—you know that better than anyone. His sacrifices have far outweighed anything he’s ever received. But have we even considered the outcomes of all we’ve done? Every hurt we’ve delivered, every consequence—have you truly reflected on what grandfather deserves? We’ve never stopped to think about his place in all of this—how he should live, how he might wish to live. This entire life of his has been so tragic, so painful. Step by step, he’s endured it all. But what he truly desires is just to see every single member of this family live joyfully together. Yet if we keep fighting like this—is this really the ending he longs to see? The reason he wanted us to return to this household was simply because he hoped for harmony, peace, and happiness. If we keep this up—imagine what he must feel inside. In his heart of hearts, wouldn’t he truly feel disappointed? On one hand is his son, on the other is his cherished grandson. Imagine what grandfather must feel in his heart when faced with this.

Your father knows that you are actually a deeply filial child. You’ve proven you can set aside all your personal thoughts. But can’t you pause for a moment and truly think about what’s best for grandfather? You’ve said before that one shouldn’t be obsessed with the human heart. If that’s true, then why do you insist on comparing your thoughts to ours? Are you really willing? Do you believe there’s any meaning in measuring hearts against each other like this? After so much comparison, what outcome do you think you’ll arrive at? Have you considered it? Perhaps the things you ultimately attain won’t be what you desire at all. Just as the outcome of all my past decisions—they, too, left me filled with regret. Have you truly never considered staying close to grandfather and giving him your fullest joy deep down? But look—because of our fights, because of our poor relationships, how much torment and harm has grandfather endured? Is he truly happy now, truly at peace? More than anyone, you know he isn’t. He carries heavy sorrow, pain deep within his heart. He feels torn and conflicted, unsure how to make a choice. No matter whom he sides with, someone ends up hurt. What’s the right path for him to take? You’re the one who truly worries for him the most, yet you might be the one hurting him the most. You need to carefully consider whether this is what you want to leave behind. If this goes on, what will become of grandfather? You know the answer better than anyone.

Such a simple truth shouldn’t need to be explained by us, as parents, anymore...”