Chapter 10

I heard his breathless voice over the phone.

Finally, my heart softened, and I decided to see him for the last time. After more than a year, I returned to my old home with mixed feelings.

Aiden was lying on the bed, his face covered with horrible stitches. “Clare? Is that you? Or am I ‘having a death hallucination?” Tears welled up in his swollen eyes.

“Aiden, it’s me.” I sat next to him and said softly. “Clare, I saved my daughter and redeemed my mistakes.” His consciousness wavered between clarity and confusion. “You didn’t save your daughter.”

“How is that possible? I thought I saved my daughter.”

“I told you, you didn’t save my daughter. She died more than a year ago.” Although I knew he was dying, I still couldn’t agree with him.

“Didn’t I save my daughter?” He cried sadly, his lips trembling, “Clare, I know I’m dying, can you forgive me?”

I couldn’t say anything against my will, so I shook my head and said, “I won’t forgive you.”

He wasn t surprised. “I really don’t deserve to be forgiven. I had a happy family, but I destroyed it with my own hands.”

“You know that.”

“Clare, I beg you to do me a favor. When I die, bury me next to my daughter, okay?”

“No.” I said resolutely.

He looked miserable and lost, gripping my hand with all his remaining strength. “Clare, I love you so much. I regret everything.”

Soon, he closed his eyes forever, going to another world with endless regrets.

What people fear most is not death but regret.

And all his regrets were well deserved.

THE END