Mom and Dad, Your Apology Came Too Late Chapter 05
Author: Peachy Peach
While we were talking, the hospital staff opened the door to the room.
“Julian, enough of this. Your mother’s next door. Come with me and see her.”
My father held out a hand.
My roommate immediately grabbed my arm, anxiety written all over his face.
I patted his hand reassuringly.
Since there was no avoiding it, I might as well face them.
The moment my mother saw me, her pupils visibly trembled.
But when she spoke, her voice was exactly as cold as it had been all those years ago.
“Now that you’re back, make a public apology. Admit that you stole the painting, and start treating your brother properly from now on.”
The interns standing nearby looked at me with open curiosity, as though they were watching a spectacle unfold.
I couldn’t help shaking my head and laughing softly.
“In this world, victims don’t apologize to the people who robbed them.”
I was an adult now.
Long gone was the frightened child they could control at will.
The only reason I’d come was because I wanted to know whether my mother had ever regretted sending me to that institution.
But, as expected, she was still the same person.
Something inside me finally settled.
The last trace of hope I’d been carrying quietly disappeared.
At last, I let go.
Without another word, I turned and walked away.
Footsteps hurried after me.
My parents followed me all the way out of the hospital and into the parking lot.
“Julian!”
My father caught up quickly.
“You know what your mother is like. She’s all bark and no bite. Why are you fighting with her?”
He lowered his voice.
“There are people watching. You’re putting her in an impossible position. Just apologize to your mother.”
He gently guided her forward until she was standing in front of me.
“Your mother would never admit it out loud, but I know she’s regretted what happened for years.”
He sighed.
“She’s been worried about you this whole time.”
My mother simply stood there in silence.
She didn’t deny it.
She didn’t confirm it.
She didn’t say anything at all.
A chill spread through me, colder than anything I’d felt before.
I no longer wanted to waste another second.
I pulled open the car door and prepared to get in.
“Your mother’s been on medication all these years,” my father called after me.
“Every time she thinks about you, her heart starts hurting.”
As he spoke, he and my mother started toward the car as though they intended to climb inside.
I immediately stepped forward and blocked the door.
“Please don’t get in.”
They froze.
I met their eyes.
“You already have the son you wanted.”
I paused.
“And I have my own family now. Let’s not stay in contact anymore.”
The words came out quickly, almost like a promise I was making to myself.
At the same time, I stole a nervous glance toward the driver’s seat before hastily trying to usher them away from the car.
“What nonsense are you talking about?” my father snapped.
“Other than your mother and me, what family could you possibly have?”
He frowned.
“Stop this childish behavior and come home.”
My parents ignored me completely and forced their way into the car.
“We’ll help you pack up your things from that apartment, and then we’ll all go home togeth—”
My father’s words cut off abruptly.
A rough, calloused hand suddenly grabbed the door.
He tried tugging it shut several times, but it wouldn’t budge.
“Son, who are these two? They’re not trying to rope you into some scam, are they?”
