His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Three years of marriage, fifteen years of growing up together, and this is how little he thought of me.

I didn't bother responding. My dry eyes ached, but I didn't care. Let

him think whatever he wanted. It was all over now.

I dragged my suitcase toward the door.

Sienna's voice drifted over. "Nathan, I heard you were supposed to

take Oliver camping, but I asked you to come see the Northern Lights

with me instead. Is my sister upset because of that?"

Nathan's tone was soft. "It's fine. Camping can wait. But seeing the

Northern Lights? That's a once-a-year opportunity."

Wait? The word made me laugh bitterly. An overwhelming sadness gripped me, and I quickened my pace toward the door.

Nathan must have finally realized I wasn't joking. He rushed over, grabbing my arm angrily. "What are you trying to do at this hour-"

But he stopped mid-sentence, stunned by the hopelessness in my eyes.

"It's just a missed camping trip. It's not a big deal."

I must have cried myself blind in the funeral home because, for a

moment, I thought I saw guilt in his eyes.

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His Knees. His Pleas. But Our Son's in Peace

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Chagy 5

"I'll have my secretary arrange it next month. We'll go then."

Next month? He thought our son, dying of cancer, had that long to

wait? He didn't deserve to be a father.

I pulled away coldly. "There's no need."

Nathan looked shocked when I pushed him away. He hadn't expected the woman who had once clung to him to suddenly reject him. As he tried to gather himself, Sienna's voice interrupted. "It's all my fault. I knew Oliver was pretending to be sick, but I shouldn't have

competed with a child for your attention. Now my sister is furious." Pretending? My stomach churned violently, my mind going blank. When I regained control, I realized I had already slapped Sienna. Nathan's expression, which had softened for a brief moment, turned

cold and furious again. He shielded Sienna, glaring at me. "Doris, have you lost your mind? How could you hit your own sister?" Ignoring his outburst, I focused on Sienna. "Don't you dare insult

Oliver!"ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Tears welled up in Sienna's eyes. "Nathan, please don't be angry. Don't let me come between you and my sister. If Doris doesn't want to admit Oliver was faking, I won't bring it up again."

My stomach twisted painfully. I looked at Nathan. "Do you think

Oliver was faking his illness too?"

Nathan didn't answer. He glanced around, noticing that Oliver wasn't 14:54

His Knees. His Pleas BAEDu bar's in Peace

there. With a dismissive shrug, he said, "Did you send him back to the hospital for another one of your 'performances'?"