Chapter 350 Picking Each Other Up
It had been two weeks.
For the first time since Patricia's accident, Martin really looked at his children.
His little ones had grown thin, dark circles under their tired eyes. The once rosy and fair cheeks were now pale and lifeless.
The guilt overwhelmed Martin as he knelt down and pulled them into a tight embrace, his voice hoarse and thick with tears. "Randy, Fannie, I'm so sorry... It won't happen again; I won't ever let you worry like this..."
After"Randy, Fannie, I'm so sorry... It won't happen again; I won't ever let you worry like this..."
For half a month, dDaddy had finally started talking to them.
Randy and Fannie burst into tears, their tiny arms clinging tightly around Martin's neck, their little shoulders quivering.
"Daddy, even though mMommy's gone, we'll always be with you. We'll never leave... Please don't be sad anymore, okay?"
"Randy is right," Fannie chimed in. "Even though you've lost Mommy, you still have me, you have big brother Charles, and Randy.... We'll always be here for you..."."
Clinging to them, Martin wished he could meld them into his very heart. He knew he couldn't continue like this. He had to pull himself together for his children's sake.
For his children's sake, he had to pull himself together.
"I will always be here for you, too..."
The joy and relief on Fannie and Randy's faces brought more tears, but this time, for a different reason.
They were thrilled to see their daddy standing strong again.
Martin let them go for a moment, wiping the tears from their cheeks, and asked, "Where's your brother Charles?"
Randy spoke with concern,. "Charles has locked himself in his room for days, not eating or drinking. If it weren't for godfather Jade making sure he ate some soup, he might have collapsed."
Fannie nodded vigorously.
"Charles is blaminges himself, t. He thinksing he failed to protect Mommy, couldn't save her, andso he's punishing himself. Randy and I have tried to talk sense into him, but he won't listen."
Randy addedsaid, "Daddy, I'm really worried about him."
Martin understood Charles's grief all too well, managing a faint smile,. "You two wait here. I'll go talk to him."
The little ones nodded in unison.
Martin left them briefly and headed for Charles's room.
The room was pitch black, curtains drawn tightly enough that not a single sliver of light could penetrate. Charles' small figure curled up on the couch, dissolving himself completely into the darkness.
Martin walked over and sat beside him. The couch sagged under his weight. Without a word, he stretched his long arm around Charles, pulled him close, gently pattinged his back, and let out a deep said with a softt sigh,. "I had a dream about your mom!my."
The simple phrase captured Charles' attention. He lifted his head to look at his father,; his eyes, previously dead and filled with guilt, slowly began to gleam with a faint light.
Feeling his gaze, Martin continued,. "Your mommy said to keep living well, and to make sureensure I take good care of you..." His voice hitched, then persisted,. "If you don't want your mommy to worry about you even in death, you'd better start picking yourself up."
God knows how much it pained him to utter the word 'death'- a reality he had always refused to acknowledge but now had to voice aloud. It was like slicing his own flesh with a knife, enduring the pain and bleeding, yet he had to keep going.
A change came over Charles' expression.
Even though it was pitch- dark and they couldn't see each other, Martin could still keenly feel his son's shift. He tightened his embrace and, struggling to suppress tears, said in a voice rough as if torn by blades,. "This isn't your fault, son. If your mommy's spirit is watching over us, she wouldn't want to see you like this!. Charlotte did this to hurt us, and for Mom, we can't fall for her schemes. Charles, buddy, I believe in you. You can do this."
After hearing his words, Charles began to shrug hisCharles' small shoulders began to shake. It started with one, then another, and another, growing more frequent as time passed.
"Daddy knows you'll understand; I'm awareI know you haven't eaten for days. I'll be waiting in the dining room for you, and so will Randy and Fannie. No matter how long it takes, we'll wait."
With that, Martin stood up and left without looking back, leaving Charles alone in the room. He knew that Charles needed space and time to let go. Only after crying his heart out and releasing his emotions could he heal.
Only after crying his heart out and releasing his emotions could he truly start to heal.
As the door closed, the sound of heartbreaking sobs spilled out from within.
The sound soared, echoing his sorrowful cries throughout the house.
For over a week, he kept his emotions locked away, never shedding a tear or throwing a tantrum within the confines of his small room. But now, the floodgates burst open, unleashing the sorrow and frustration that he had kept at bay for so long.
Standing at the door, Martin listened to his pitiful sobs, feeling a wave of melancholy wash over him. His hands clenched into fists so tight, that the veins on the back of his hands stood out starkly.
After a moment, he took a deep breath, composed himself, and returned to his room. There, heHe cleansed himself thoroughly, shaved off his stubble, and applied moisturizer to his crackeddry skin.
He emerged from the room, looking and feeling rejuvenated.
At the dining table, Martin took his place at the head.
Ryan and Carter sat to his left and right.
Randy and Fannie took their seatssat beside Ryan and Carter, yet no one touched their utensils.
They sat in silence, awaiting Charles.
As the minutes ticked away, the glimmer of hope that had sparked in their eyes began to dim once again, threatening to extinguish. It seemed Charles couldn't bring himself to face them.
Charles, it seemed, couldn't bring himself to face them.
But Martin was the polar opposite.
He exuded a quiet confidence, as if certain Charles would come through, and remained calm and patient.
And sure enough, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the evening sky cast a vibrant rainbow through the window.
The door to Charles' bedroom creaked open.
The sound of approaching footsteps signaled Charles' presence as he came into view.
Now bathed and dressed in clean clothes, he stood before them with eyes still red and swollen, a look of remorse on his face.
"I'm sorry for worrying you all..." he said.
With eyes slightly reddened eyes, Martin couldn't conceal the relief and pride in his gaze. "I knew you could do it..."
A smile slowly spread across Charles' face.
Chapter351
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