Chapter 19
Istood in the visiting room, anxiety gnawing at me. I tapped my feet nervously on the floor. My eyes widened as my father entered through the doors, escorted by prison guards on either side. Emotions surged within me as I noticed how frail and weak, he looked.
I wore a warm smile, and my brown eyes sparkled with excitement. “Leo!” He cried and walked hurriedly towards me. My heart felt like it was going to explode. He walked towards me and grabbed my cheeks. Every single wall of defense I had ever built came crashing down in that moment, tears ran down my cheeks. I grabbed my father’s palm pressed against my face and wept.
“Dad, I’m so sorry. I had no idea. I lost my memory, and I can’t believe, I believed all the lies. The truth is so different. You shouldn’t be…”
“Shhh…” my father muttered, my eyes darting to stare at the prison guard behind us in the tiny visiting room. I swallowed. Even in my father’s bondage and pain, I was still trying to protect my mother. That was insane. It was sheer insanity.
“It’s not your fault,” my father started, my eyes filled with tears. My father’s voice was weak and frail. “I wanted to protect you and your mother. It was the only choice. I’d rather give my life than let you both lose yours.”I stared at him as though he was drunk. That was the most outrageous thing I had ever heard. While I believed in love, I didn’t think that it could be this dramatic.
I swallowed hard and reexamined all the feelings I had for him. I knew he loved me, but could his love have compared to the way he loved my mother? I despised myself for even entertaining such doubts.
I grabbed my father’s trembling hands from my cheeks and stared at him in the eye before guiding me to sit down. “Dad, I promise I’m going to do everything, I can make it right and get you out of here,” I whispered.
My dad shook his head, letting out a laugh that was more sad than funny. ”Listen, kiddo, it”s too late for that now. I”m not doing great, and I don”t have a lot of time left. Don”t waste your time trying to clean up my messes. Trust me, it”s not worth it.”
I swallowed. The words of my aunt suddenly penetrated my mind. Aunt Isabella had indeed said his father was dying. How cruel would I be to let my father die in such a place. I scanned the visiting room, hating to see the cobwebs and the peeling walls.
”Father, I can’t let you die here. I can’t allow you to suffer like this. Please let me try and get you out.” Dad’s grip tightened around my palm and held my gaze. I stared at him and sucked my teeth. The poor man looked really frail, and his skin was pale. I could have sworn that his lips also appeared blue if it weren’t for the poor lighting we had in the room. He didn’t even want to imagine the health conditions.
You’re a good man, and I’m glad I raised you. But listen, I made this sacrifice. It was my choice. No one made the sacrifice for me. I let out a breath and held my hand. Too many ”what ifs” flooded my mind at that moment. But, all I could do now was bond more with my father before he died.
“Fine. Fine” he muttered.
“Life goes on Leo, just visit me frequently and I’ll be full.” Leo nodded. “I will. I’ll try to visit you as often as possible. I don’t want to live without you Dad.” He muttered quietly. My father wrapped his hand around my shoulder, and I leaned in, resting my head on his shoulder. I missed my father, and now that I learned he had done nothing wrong, I felt a pain in my chest.
Leo,” my father started, his voice sounding frail and weak. “Forgiveness is powerful. Don’t let anger and resentment consume you. Find it in your heart to forgive your mother and even yourself.”
I nodded even though I knew, it would be the hardest thing to do. I lifted my eyes to see the guard signaling at him. The minute he had been given for the visitation was over. He let out a sigh. This made no sense.