My Alleged Husband

Chapter 518: Chapter 497 Shock_1

Zhang Zhentian was caught off guard when his son told him his own father was critically ill. He hadn’t expected that his own harshness could actually have driven his biological father to illness. Now, he was at a loss as to how he should feel. His father had meant well, wanting him to return home, but why had he so harshly refused him? Despite her advanced age, she still spoke kindly of him, her son. How could he be so heartless as to abandon him?

In that moment, Zhang Zhentian realized the extent of his mistake. If his negligence could lead to the complete loss of his father, how would he ever alleviate the guilt that would mark his life? It should have been a simple matter, something that could have been resolved with a single sentence. Why did it become so complicated? Why did he let his own kin suffer? He had already missed out on so much, but in the end, he still managed to hurt every one of them. Perhaps he was just not meant to live with them. Or maybe he never deserved to, since all he ever brought them was pain, with never a moment of happiness.

”Yichen, are you telling the truth? How could Grandpa be critically ill? I remember he was fine the last time I saw him. What’s happened now? Did something upset him?” The more Zhang Zhentian asked, the angrier his son became. His son couldn’t understand why he pretended to be clueless. In his eyes, didn’t he cherish his own grandfather at all? His grandfather had always been so loving towards him, pouring everything into him. How could this have resulted in such pain for everyone?

”Do you really think you have nothing to do with this? Ever since Grandpa came to see you, wanting you to return home and stay by his side, he’s been despondent at home since the night you last met. I’ve been worried he would fall ill, and now he really has. If my wife hadn’t found him, he might not even be with us anymore. If my grandfather were to leave this world one day because of any of you, do you think I could ever forgive you? Do you think you would have the face to go on living in this world? If you can hurt your own father so, what else are you incapable of? Where is your conscience? He’s your biological father. Yes, he made many mistakes and hurt all of you. Even though he once wanted to control your destiny and plan your life, didn’t you eventually leave him? Over these years, he silently bore all the pain by himself, never sharing how much it hurt. If I hadn’t stumbled upon him crying over your photograph, I’d never have understood that my grandfather was just a tough talker but had a soft heart. His heart is kind; for anyone who apologizes for a misdeed, he forgives, no matter how wrong it was. But the hurt you caused him is something he can’t ever shake off—he’s trapped in the sorrow of your abandonment.”

”Why has my father’s heart become so hard? Does hurting Grandpa make you happy?”

”Do you understand how much torment Grandpa went through for you and Mom? He missed you terribly, and yet he chose to remain silent, allowing you to wander on your own because he knew you were just rebelling against him. He didn’t want to drive you to desperation. But what about you all?”

Everyone’s heart is made of flesh; how could he not hurt inside even as he chose to endure all the pressure and pain alone? Because I planned to bring all the happiness to my family, so they could live joyfully. But what you’ve done has shocked me. Your actions have hurt her, turning her into that ’bad relative’ in your eyes, and yet you have no clue what made her become what she is now!”

Zhang Zhentian was stunned. His son seemed to understand something that he, as the elder, couldn’t grasp at all. Now he wondered what was it all for? Why did he hurt his father so deeply and make him seem, as his son put it, insignificant to him? His father had many plans for him, wanting to control his future, but in the end, he had let him live the life he wanted. Had he not lived a happy life on his own terms, after all?

Why is it that people never treasure what they have until it’s gone, only to realize the pain in their hearts after losing it?

”Son, Dad really didn’t mean for Grandpa to get sick and be hospitalized, but I want you to believe me, I never wanted him to fall ill. I hope he can live a long and healthy life. He is my father, and that’s an undeniable fact. No matter how hard-hearted I may seem, no matter how cold I am, I can’t be completely devoid of feelings for my own father. My refusal that day was impulsive. After some thought, I was ready to return home, but then you told me Grandpa was critically ill. This has been a huge blow to me. If I could turn back time, I would not have rejected him. I would’ve carefully considered my decision before letting him know. In my heart, I do have a place for my father and wish he could be by my side, to grow old with me. But time is so cruel. Every time I regret something and want to make amends, it seems fate doesn’t grant me the chance. It leaves me no room for remorse, and I am condemned to live a lifetime of guilt and repentance. Maybe this is my fate; I’ve made too many mistakes to count. I don’t want to hurt him anymore. If you can forgive me, I would like to visit him in the hospital...”