Chapter 4

After sorting everything out in my mind, I finally slept well.

It was the first good night's sleep I had gotten since Ruby broke my leg.

I had spent countless prior nights wondering how things had ended up like this. I thought I had failed. I thought I had not been a good enough father and had not raised my daughter properly.

However, I understood now.

Life was not always about right and wrong.

Ruby liking Wilson was not wrong. My wanting to pursue my own dream was not wrong, either. We simply wanted different things.

I chose to let her have the little family she wanted.

I hoped she would not be sad after I left.

Honestly, with how much she liked Wilson, she would probably be happy.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The knocking pulled me from my sleep.

The sun had already set. Still groggy, I climbed into my wheelchair and rolled toward the door.

When the door opened, Wilson was standing outside.

He was actually a few years younger than me.

Back then, I had felt sorry for him because he was struggling to find work, so I let him stay with us.

Now, he was practically the man of the house.

"What took you so long?" Sheila snapped. "Wilson's reheated the food five times already. Honestly, I don't know how you can even call yourself a father. Just because your daughter said a few things, you’re throwing a tantrum."

She looked unhappy.

Her gaze drifted toward Wilson's hands with obvious concern several times, as if reminding me how much trouble I had caused everyone.

"You could've eaten without me."

It was already ten o'clock, far past dinner.

I did not argue more as I quietly rolled over to the dining table and took my seat.

Ruby was at an age when she was growing fast, so she got hungry easily. By the time I arrived, she had almost finished everything on her plate.

"Eat a little more."

I picked up one of her favorite dishes, chicken wings, and put one on her plate.

Smack!

The chicken wing hit the table. Ruby lifted her plate away, her face full of anger.

"Why are you so annoying? Did I ask you to get food for me? I don't like it! I don't want it! Did you hear me?"

Her dislike for me was no longer something she bothered to hide. It was written plainly across her face.

Wilson looked startled. He quickly picked up the chicken wing and put it on his own plate.

"Liam, she's just a child. Don't take it personally. I'll talk to her later. Please don't be angry." He was playing the role of a devoted father perfectly.

I frowned for a moment before relaxing again. "It's fine. Ruby is my daughter. What could I possibly do to her?"

I meant it as an explanation, but Wilson bit his lip and looked wronged.

"Liam, that's not what I meant—"

Before he could finish, Sheila slammed her utensils onto the table.

"Wilson went back and forth so many times, reheating your food just so you could have a warm meal. And in the meantime, what did you do? Since the moment you’ve come out, you’ve been making sarcastic comments."

She glared at me.

"How could Ruby possibly have a father like you?

"Liam, let me warn you one last time. Wilson doesn't owe you anything. He's just an employee of our household, not a slave.

"If you really don't want to eat or stay in this family anymore, then get out."

She pointed toward the front door.

Wilson immediately grabbed her wrist. "Sheila, don't say that. Liam's still injured. Where could he possibly go?"

He lowered his head. "If anyone's at fault, it's me. Maybe I should just go home."

As soon as he finished speaking, he untied his apron and stood up.

Then, he headed for the door.

Ruby panicked. She jumped up and grabbed Wilson's arm.

However, she was only a child, so she was too weak to stop him. All she could do was watch helplessly as he put on his shoes and walked out.

"Bad Dad! Bad Dad!"

Furious, she stomped back toward me. She lashed out and kicked the bandaged wound on my leg.

Pain exploded through me, sharp and piercing. Cold sweat instantly broke across my forehead, and I doubled over on instinct.

"You should just die! Why does everything bad happen whenever you're around? Why are you always bullying Wilson?"