My Alleged Husband

Chapter 958: Chapter 851: Loyalty to

Old Master Zhang fears nothing now, but his greatest fear is his son making a decision only to regret it a short while later, pleading to return to this family, over and over again, trying to start anew. He doesn’t understand the point of it all; what he wants is simple: for his son to settle down peacefully in this family. What good comes from repeatedly trying to restart? It only brings others’ contempt, yet his son seems utterly indifferent to this. The only thing he cares about is his wife. In his son’s eyes, in his son’s heart, there is no room for anyone else, not even his father.

”I don’t want to say much to you right now. I just want to ask: in your eyes, is there still me, your father, and this family? Why are you doing all this? Again and again, you abandon your family, treating them as though they’re objects to hurt without any regard. Do you really think what you’re doing is right? Have you even considered how much pain and suffering you’ve caused this family over the years? Has anyone in this family ever blamed you? Never. As long as you want to come back, this family has always accepted you without hesitation. Yet you never repent; you don’t even seem to understand what you’ve done wrong. Not once have you shown a shred of remorse.

When I learned that my most cherished granddaughter-in-law had been diagnosed with depression and admitted to the hospital, I knew this had something to do with you all. But I didn’t choose to blame you because I understand how fragile her health is. I also know how deeply wronged she has felt in recent days, neglected and cold-shouldered by your son. But none of this blame falls on you. You came back to this family simply so that everyone could live happily, joyfully—none of us wanted such things to happen here. Yet now that these events have occurred, there’s no way to escape them, isn’t that right?

What I want isn’t for you to keep reluctantly nodding and saying what you think I want to hear, nor do I want you to put on pretenses of bravery. I want you to confront your heart sincerely and honestly each time. If you truly believe what you’ve done is right, that your actions justify everything—including the toll they’ve taken on your son—I hope you can face it, because you’ve paid so much for this.

You should know your son truly loves his wife. She’s sacrificed so much for him—more than a few simple words can erase. You walked away only for your own selfish reasons. But now, your son has carried the burdens of this family for all these years, and you not only show no gratitude, but you also believe everything he’s done is wrong. If you were him, would you still have the heart to contribute to this family? What do you think ”contribution to this family” really means?”

”Dad, I never wanted to escape the responsibilities I’m supposed to bear. I just didn’t want everything to become too complicated. You should also think about this: Was all of this my fault alone, or do you share some of the blame? You’ve always expected me to follow your footsteps time and time again—do you think I’m not my own person? Don’t I deserve to forge my own path in life? Am I not allowed to live an extraordinary life, so that years later, when I look back, I won’t regret not having taken the road I wanted to travel?

I understand how much my choices and their consequences have hurt you, but there are things I truly don’t know how to explain to you. All I want is for you to live peacefully and be happy—that’s all.

Dad, I know every action requires careful consideration because every decision carries a price to pay. For every choice I’ve made, I’ve never borne the consequences myself; I’ve always left them to you all to shoulder for me. Deep down, I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt.

But I’ve already wronged you all in these past few years—I can’t let the current changes make me neglect my wife as well. She’s been by my side through so many storms over the years, standing unwaveringly with me during my most difficult times. She held my hand firmly when I was at my lowest, never letting go. In my hardest, saddest moments, she gave me the warmest embrace, letting me feel the comfort, the love, and the happiness of having a home. I cannot choose to abandon her now because of how things have turned out. If I did, I would no longer deserve to be your son. In this family, we all remain loyal to our loved ones, willing to do anything for them. And if I were to cast aside my wife so cruelly just so I could enjoy joy and happiness alone in this family—when she has already left—do you think I’d still deserve to call myself your son? Would I still be a part of this family?

Perhaps every word I’ve said to you today feels like I’ve changed tremendously in your eyes. I never wanted to say these things because I know words pale in comparison to actions to prove what truly matters. I’ve turned myself into a terrifying monster again and again for the sole purpose of living easily and without burden. Everything I’ve done wasn’t for anything else but for the hope of having a peaceful home!

But now, everything has changed. My outlook and attitude have turned numb, leaving me unable to even grasp why I’ve done what I’ve done. I no longer know what my purpose is. I truly regret it. Again and again, I’ve made myself into the most terrifying being in this world, plunging myself into pain and sorrow over and over again. All I’ve ever wanted was for you all to be happy. The pain I’ve brought upon you all is something I may never be able to make up for in this lifetime, but I sincerely hope to stay in this family, to care for you, protect you, and let everyone feel that my presence here isn’t a mistake. Yet now, I’m left with no choice but to leave my wife behind. If I must leave, what reason do I have to stay here? As husband and wife, we should share blessings and adversity—how can I, for my own comfort and prosperity, so heartlessly abandon her?

If one day my wife truly feels tired of me, feels I shouldn’t always remain by her side, then at that moment, I will choose to leave. But even after I leave, I will continue to silently protect her from behind; that will never change. This is my ultimate commitment to love, loyalty to marriage, and unwavering devotion to her...”