But Daniel’s cruel words had not simply been an act.
He really had been desperate.
After losing his mother, he had spent years almost entirely alone, caring for a father who had become increasingly dependent on him.
His exhaustion had turned into anger, and that anger had come out as terrible words.
But he had never stopped loving his father.
When Robert learned what his son had done for him, he burst into tears.
Daniel sat beside his hospital bed.
“Forgive me, Dad. I said things to you that I’ll be ashamed of for the rest of my life.”
Robert took his hand.
“I thought you hated me.”
“I hated what had happened to us, Dad. Every day, I was terrified I’d lose you too, just like Mom. I just wanted my father back.”
Robert embraced his son.
“And I forgot that you’re still just a boy, son. You should never have had to carry all of this alone.”