Chapter 66: The Weight of Guilt and the Strength of Love

The air inside the grand mansion carried a sense of peace, yet beneath the surface, unspoken emotions lingered. After a long, eventful day at the world's No. 1 mall, the family had returned home. The youngest had taken a step into the world beyond his sheltered life, and for the first time, he had walked through the presence of strangers, touched things of his own choice, and smiled in the company of people he did not know. His mother had held him, guided him, comforted him, and in the end, he had been happy.

But despite all of this, his father could not ignore the moments that weighed heavily on his heart. The small, almost imperceptible flinches whenever he reached out too suddenly. The slight hesitation before meeting his eyes. The subconscious way his son always turned toward his mother first for reassurance. It was undeniable—the scars of the past still existed, no matter how much warmth and love surrounded him now.

That night, when the mansion fell into silence, his father found himself standing alone in the dimly lit hallway. He stared out through the tall windows, the moonlight casting silver reflections over the glass. His hands curled into fists at his sides. He had everything—power, wealth, status, and most importantly, his family. And yet, standing there, he felt powerless against the past.

His wife, ever attuned to his emotions, found him there. She approached without a word, stepping beside him as she gazed out into the night sky. For a while, they remained in silence, and then, in a soft voice, she spoke.

"He loves you, you know."

His breath hitched, but he didn't respond.

"He's just afraid of the memories," she continued, turning to him. "Not of you. Never of you."

He swallowed hard. "But those memories exist because of me."

She reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. "And that's why you're doing everything to change that. Guilt won't heal him, my love. What will heal him is your patience, your effort, and your love—just like you've always given him."

His throat tightened. He had thought about this countless times. He wanted to undo the past, but he knew that was impossible. All he could do was move forward and prove to his son that he was someone he could trust. Someone who would never hurt him again.

"I just…" He exhaled heavily. "I don't know if I deserve him."

She cupped his face gently, making him look at her. "You are his father. And he needs you."

Those words struck him deeply, shaking the doubt that clung to him. He closed his eyes briefly, absorbing her warmth, before nodding slightly. That night, he silently vowed to take a more active role in their son's life. No matter how slow the progress was, he would never give up on him.

The next morning, the household was alive with its usual warmth. The youngest, still groggy from sleep, sat at the breakfast table, rubbing his tired eyes. The sight was something his father treasured—his little boy, safe and comfortable in their home.

Determined to make a difference, his father decided to personally prepare his son's breakfast that morning. He carefully plated his favorite foods, arranging them with care before setting them down in front of him. When the plate was placed before him, the child blinked, surprised.

His mother smiled softly. "Your father made it for you today."

The boy hesitated, glancing at his father uncertainly. His father, despite the ache in his chest, simply offered him a small smile and said, "I hope you like it."

A long silence stretched between them. His father didn't push, didn't force anything. He simply waited. Then, slowly, the boy picked up his spoon and took a small bite. A tiny act, but a monumental step.

His sisters exchanged subtle, emotional glances. His mother placed a gentle hand on his father's knee under the table, silently telling him, See? One step at a time.

As the day went on, the warmth of the morning lingered, filling the household with quiet happiness. But just as the afternoon sun cast golden streaks across the windows, the peace was interrupted by an unexpected phone call.

His mother, who had been relaxing in the sitting room with her son nestled beside her, reached for her phone as it rang. Seeing the name on the screen, her expression softened, and she answered.

"Hello, my dear friend," she greeted warmly.

On the other end of the line was a woman—one of the richest and most powerful individuals in the world. Their friendship was one built on years of trust, loyalty, and shared experiences in the world of elite society.

"I have something important to ask," her friend said with a bright but urgent tone. "My father's birthday banquet is in a few days, and I would love for you and your entire family to attend. It wouldn't be the same without you."

Understanding the significance of this invitation, she smiled. "Of course, we would be honored to attend."

Her friend's joy was evident. "Wonderful! I can't wait to see all of you there."

After ending the call, she turned to her husband, who had just entered the room. "We've been invited to a very special event."

He raised a brow. "What kind of event?"

"A birthday banquet. One of the most exclusive gatherings in the world."

He considered it for a moment before nodding. "Then we'll go."

She turned to their son, stroking his soft hair gently. "Sweetheart, we'll be going to a banquet soon. There will be a lot of people, but we'll be together the entire time."

The boy blinked up at her, then looked toward his father. His tiny hands clenched slightly in uncertainty. But after a moment, he gave a small nod. "Okay."

It was a single word, but it carried so much weight.

Finally, she made the final calls—to her seven daughters, who were each busy at their workplaces, leading industries, shaping the world. One by one, she informed them of the upcoming event. Their reactions were varied—excitement, curiosity, concern for their little brother. But in the end, one thing remained certain.

The entire family would attend together.

And so, another chapter in their journey began—one that would bring new experiences, new challenges, and new moments of love and growth.

To be continued in Chapter 67…