A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Yvan gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white.

A question from a five–year–old kid, and he found himself at a loss for words.

If he had known… If he had known that Matilda was pregnant, maybe… he wouldn’t have locked

her up…

A whirlwind of emotions flickered across Yvan’s eyes, but he didn’t let them show. In a blink. they were gone, and he was once again the ruthless heir to the Boyd empire, decisive and bold as if nothing in his life had ever given him cause for regret.

In the back seat, Logan sat obediently, watching the landscape fly by. Then, suddenly, he said. “This isn’t the way we usually go…”

Yvan silently commended the boy’s sharp mind. The kid had only been on this route a few times but already had it memorized. Clearing his throat, Yvan spoke up. “We’re going to the hospital‘

“The hospital?”

Logan, though young, was quick on the uptake. With a cautious tone, he asked, “Did something happen to Mommy?”

“Damn, the little rascal is too smart for his own good. Being a dad sure is tough!” Yvan couldn’t help but complain inwardly.

But then he thought about it and couldn’t help feeling proud. It was his genes that made his son so smart. He couldn’t help thinking his boy was a little genius.

When they arrived at the hospital, Yvan crouched down to straighten Logan’s T–shirt. It was only at times like this that Logan felt Yvan was his father, but even then, it seemed it was all for

show.

As Yvan leaned in, Logan couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at him. After all for a five–year– old, there’s always a sweetness in seeing one’s biological father.

But… his father was such a disappointment. Maybe if Yvan behaved well, he could help Yvan win Mommy back. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Yvan said, “Your mom, she’s got depression. Did you know that?”

He hadn’t wanted to bring up such heavy topics in front of Logan, but considering the boy’s mature understanding, he decided to lay it out straight, “She’s not in a good place right now. and I hope… you can… give her some comfort.”

“Did you upset Mommy?” Logan looked up, his eyes not at all surprised. It seemed he knew about his mom’s depression. To be so young and yet able to accept such a harsh reality..

“No… I didn’t mean to upset…”

15:30 F

Facing Logan always made Yvan feel powerless. The boy had eyes that seemed to see through everything, so clear and pure they made Yvan feel like he couldn’t look him in the eye with his own sullied adult conscience.

“I get it…” Logan seemed to sigh. “I don’t blame you. Mommy’s depression is pretty bad. She’s okay most of the time, but when it comes to anything related to you, it gets like this.”

Anything related to you.

A sharp pain struck Yvan’s heart. Had he become such a monster in Matilda’s eyes that she was terrified of anything associated with him?

Logan handed his little backpack to Yvan. “Daddy, can you hold this for me? I want to go see Mommy.”

When he switched to calling Yvan ‘Daddy“. Yvan felt a tiny bit of comfort. Maybe, just maybe, Logan would come to accept him in time…

Before, Yvan never imagined having so much patience and tolerance for a child, especially when the child’s mother was someone he despised, a convicted murderer. Yet he found himself able to embrace their child.

The sins of the parents should not be borne by the child. Logan’s eyes were too innocent, too earnest for Yvan to bear causing any harm.

Yvan escorted him to Matilda’s hospital room door, and then the father and son, with faces strikingly similar, exchanged a nod.

They were united in their purpose–Logan pushed the door open to see Matilda propped up in bed, her face pale and sickly but lighting up with an astonishing glow the moment she saw Logan.

“Mommy…” He

“Logan! How called out tentatively, and Matilda turned to him, her eyes welling with tears.

did you get here?”

Logan’s voice was choked, “Mom, are you unhappy again?”

‘Unhappy‘ was the euphemism for her depressive episodes.

Matilda forced a smile. “I’m sorry. Did I scare you again?”

“No…” Logan climbed onto the bed, slipping into her embrace.

His mother was thin, but she held him with hands that tried to convey warmth.

“It won’t happen again, Logan. It’s good you’re back… That’s all that matters.”

“Mommy, Daddy brought me here. Did you guys fight?”

“No…” Matilda’s voice trembled as she clutched Logan’s hand, almost desperately saying. “No… He’s not your daddy… He’s not…”

It was like she was on the verge of tears, trying to convince herself of something she couldn’t