Chapter 991
Father Ben harbored an unyielding obsession in his heart before he saw Alexander again. But when he finally laid eyes on Alexander, the boy he had raised with his own hands, all his obsessions and resentments melted away into a single question. "Have your wishes come true?"
"Father Ben." Alexander lowered his head, his shoulders trembling as tears streamed down.
Father Ben had little strength left. He took a couple of breaths and then said, "Ever since you last visited, I've often dreamt of you as a child, a delicate and quiet little boy who seemed like anyone could bully you."
Alexander remained silent, weeping quietly.
Father Ben added, "I was afraid you'd be bullied, so I took you everywhere with me, even to my lectures. You didn't understand, so you'd sleep beside me. Once, I wasn't paying attention, and you fell off your seat and hurt your forehead."
As he spoke, Father Ben raised his hand.
Alexander quickly brushed aside the hair on his forehead. The fall had been severe, and even now, a faint scar remained.
Father Ben could no longer see clearly. He reached out and touched the uneven spot. "You didn't cry back then, even though the fall was serious. So why are you crying now?"
"I should have come sooner," Alexander said, looking at Father Ben through his tears.
Father Ben smiled faintly. "You've always been obedient. Even if I were dead, you shouldn't have come to see me. After all, I did tell you not to return once you left."
He paused and shook his head. "It was that disobedient Stella. Did she tell you to come?"
Alexander nodded honestly.
Father Ben sighed softly. Though he had been awake for a while, his eyelids began to droop again.
"Father Ben, please eat something before you sleep. Okay?" Alexander coaxed gently.
Father Ben said nothing.
Eventually, Liam arrived, carrying a bowl of clam chowder.
Alexander took it and sat beside Father Ben, patiently and carefully feeding him.
Eating had become difficult for him, but he still tried his best to swallow.
The last time Father Alexander had fed him, he had been seven or eight years old, about the same age as Mason. Back then, he had been ill with a high fever, and Father Alexander had sat by his side, feeding him spoonfuls of soup.
After managing to eat half a bowl, Father Ben could no longer open his mouth.
Alexander helped him lie down, and soon after, Father Ben fell back into a deep sleep.
Liam stood nearby, wiping away tears.
Alexander used a warm towel to clean Father Ben's face and beard gently, then stared at him for a moment.
"Do you remember when you first came here?" Liam suddenly asked, "You asked Father Ben why he was already so old."
Alexander pressed his lips together. When he had arrived, Father Ben was nearly sixty. Before coming here, he had just experienced the death of his closest grandfather, so he was very worried about Father Ben being so old.
"Now, Father Ben is even older than he was then," Liam choked out. "Father Alexander, how could you bear not to come back and see him all these years?"
Alexander was silent for a moment before he replied weakly, "I'm sorry."
Liam wiped his tears forcefully.
Alexander adjusted Father Ben's blanket and then stood up. "I've prescribed some medicine. Could you please go get it, Liam?"
"Yes. Your medical skills are renowned. You can cure Father Ben, right?" Liam seemed to grasp at hope.
Alexander shook his head.
Liam's hope crumbled once more.