Chapter 64: A Mother's Determination and a Father's Guilt

The warmth of the previous day still lingered in their hearts, but as the family settled back into their routine, his mother began to notice something unsettling. Though her son was undeniably happier and more at ease, there were fleeting moments when fear still gripped him. A sudden noise, an unexpected movement—especially from his father—would make him freeze, his tiny hands clenching unconsciously.

She watched carefully, her heart aching every time she saw his body stiffen in reflexive fear. His father, despite his best efforts, remained the one person he still hesitated around. It was not rejection—it was fear, deeply embedded from his past trauma. No matter how gently his father spoke or how much love he showed, the unspoken barrier between them remained.

His mother refused to accept this. She had fought too hard for her son's happiness to let fear continue to haunt him. Determined to help him heal completely, she buried herself in research, learning everything she could about child psychology and trauma recovery. She reached out to the world's top specialists, arranging discreet therapy sessions within their home, careful to disguise them as simple playdates so he wouldn't feel pressured. If her son needed time, she would give it to him. If he needed a different approach, she would find it. No matter what it took, she would ensure he never had to feel afraid again.

Meanwhile, his father struggled in silence. He saw the way his son flinched when he moved too quickly, the hesitation in his eyes whenever they were alone. It crushed him. He had sworn to protect his son, to make up for his past failures, but deep down, he wondered if he would ever truly be forgiven. Was he too late? Had his negligence forever ruined the bond they should have had?

One night, unable to sleep, he entered their bedroom and found his wife curled protectively around their son, holding him close as if shielding him from the world. The boy slept peacefully in her arms, his small fingers gripping the fabric of her nightgown. His father stood in the doorway, watching, the weight of his guilt pressing down on him like an unbearable burden. He had caused this. His failure had led to his son's suffering. Did he even deserve to stand here and call himself a father?

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he turned and quietly left the room, retreating to his study. He spent the rest of the night sitting alone in the dim light, drowning in his self-doubt.

The next morning, when the protagonist woke up, he immediately noticed his father's absence. His mother reassured him with a soft smile, telling him that everything was fine. But deep inside, she knew the truth—her husband was breaking, just as much as their son had been. She had fought to heal her child; now, she had to fight for her husband, too.

That evening, she found him staring out of the window, lost in thought. Without a word, she sat beside him, placing her hand over his. He tensed for a moment before sighing, his shoulders slumping under the weight of his emotions.

"He still needs you," she whispered, her voice filled with quiet strength. "Love isn't about being perfect. It's about showing up, even when you're afraid. You haven't lost him, and you never will, as long as you keep trying."

His eyes burned with unshed tears, her words slicing through his self-doubt. He had been so consumed by guilt that he had failed to see the truth—his son had not rejected him. He was simply healing at his own pace. And if his wife, the strongest woman he had ever known, still believed in him, then he would believe, too.

With newfound resolve, he made a silent vow. No matter how long it took, no matter how many steps back there were along the way, he would keep moving forward. He would earn his son's trust, one moment at a time.

And one day, he would finally hear his son call him "Papa" with love, not fear.