CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

MARCUS'S POV


After interviewing almost ten candidates none of them had impressed me.
They were all useless.

I kept tapping on my wooden desk impatiently.

I closed my eyes and counted one to ten. Doctor Alan always said that it would help me relax whenever I was stressed and frustrated.

I opened my eyes and took a deep breath.

"Relax Marcus."

I had to put on my mask and bury all the emotions I felt. Because it was a sign of weakness and I couldn't let them bring me to my knees.

Like some weakling.

Over the past years I stopped communicating with my father a few days ago. Minnie had called me that he was on his deathbed.

He wanted to see me.

But I wanted nothing to do with him because he had rejected me. I wasn't his true son.

A part of me wanted to go and hear what he had to say but my mind said no.

I pushed back my chair and stood up.
After grabbing my car keys I exited my office and decided to go to the hospital.

Forty minutes later I packed my car and made my way toward the entrance of the hospital.

I went to the reception.

"I'm here to see him."

The nurse blinked in surprise and nodded eagerly.

" Room 5 just take a left."
I gave her a stern nod.

Once Minnie saw me she engulfed me into a big hug and sniffled softly.

I was too shocked by the sudden affection. But I recovered fast and hugged her.

After she pulled herself she wiped her tears miserably.

"I'm glad you're Marcus, thanks for coming. I know that you and dad don't have the perfect relationship but I'm happy that you came."

I nodded.

She ushered me to his room.

I hated being here. The atmosphere smelled of death and medicine.

But I did it for her sake.

She opened the door widely.

"Dad, you have a visitor," she said softly.

I stepped inside and my gaze lingered on my father's small form.

This disease was sucking the life out of him.

He gave me a small smile but I didn't return it.

Minnie grabbed my arm.

"I'll give you too some privacy" she said softly and excuses herself leaving is alone.

I stood there as the awkward silence filled the air. I didn't know what to say to this man.

"Sit son."

I nodded and sat next to him.

"Why am I here?"

He sat upright and faced me.

"Because I want us to talk."

I snorted.

"About what?"

He sighed deeply.

"Marcus I know that I have been a bad father and I'm ashamed of myself."

" You just realized this now?" You ruined my fucking childhood."

He nodded and tried to touch my hand but I flinched away.

"I know so-"

"Do not call me your son because you told my mother that I was never your blood. You rejected me and killed the one person that truly loved me."

I glared at him angrily.

" You took her away from me."

He lowered his gaze to the floor.

"I'm sorry Marcus and I don't know if words will never be enough to justify my mistakes. I'm just asking for a chance."

I stared at him in disbelief.

Was he serious?
A chance?

"It's too late for that," I muttered and stood up.

" Okay" he simply replied quietly..

And I'm glad that he didn't push his luck any further.

"I won't force you into anything but I just want you to think about what I said."

" Okay."

I got up and left before he could say anything else.

Minnie didn't try to stop me when I walked past her. She must have known that our conversation wasn't that good.

I slammed my car's door when I reached outside.

I shouldn't have come here.

Minnie came running at the entrance of the hospital but I started the car engine and drove away.

Silence.

My phone kept ringing but I ignored it and I didn't really feel like talking to anyone right now.

I went to a place where I could only find comfort in my mother's grave. It was going to be a drive but I needed to talk to her.

Three hours later I arrived and parked my car at the gate.

The town had changed over the past years; it wasn't the same hell I grew up in.

I made my way towards my mother's grave and placed a bouquet of red roses. The others had withered and dried up.

She loved red roses.

A tear rolled down my cheek but I wiped it away.

I can't shed tears. I only came here when I missed her.


Would you know my name?
If I saw you in heaven
Would it be the same?
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong
And carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
Would you hold my hand?
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand?
If I saw you in heaven
I'll find my way
Through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven
Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please
Beyond the door
There's peace, I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more
Tears in heaven
Would you know my name?
If I saw you in heaven
Would you be the same?
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong
And carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven


"Mom I wish you were still here, maybe I wouldn't have gotten lost along the way."

I sighed deeply.

" I went to see him today. He was really sick. He wanted to apologise for all the pain he caused both of us."

Silence.

A breeze went by and it sent a shiver down my spine.

"I know you're listening and you think I should forget about everything and forgive him but I can't."

Silence.

He doesn't deserve it.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I answered the call with a deep sigh.
"What is it Minnie?!" I snapped.

I could only hear her sobbing from the other end.

Something had happened.

"Marcus' father is dead..." He cries miserably.

A part of me felt the pain.

He wanted to say goodbye.

"I kept calling you, why didn't you stop?!" You could have saved his life."

I got confused.

" What are you talking abo-"

" Father could have been saved if you gave him your kidney Marcus but he felt guilty so he didn't say anything to you."

I remained silent.

" For once in your life couldn't you just put the anger aside and helped him."

"Minnie you're just a kid you know nothing. If your mother had just stayed away from my father I wouldn't have lost my mother."

" Instead of putting the blame on me take a good look at yourself."

She cut the call and blinked in shock.

I released the breath I was holding.

"He's dead."

He knew that he was going to die. He wanted to be forgiven so that his soul could find peace.

I knew what I had to do.

It wasn't long before I was standing in the graveyard holding a black umbrella. It was heavy pouring as they lowered my father's casket.

I didn't show any emotion.

People bid their last goodbyes but I never left. I just stood there.

I went closer and placed a bouquet of sunflowers on his grave.

"I forgive you."