Her Return, His Regret novel Chapter 136

Miles Kingsley gulped and buried his face in his hands as he struggled to suppress his frustration and guilt.

He reflected on how he had lived his life so far.

How did he end up being distant from his son?

When Ryan’s mother was alive, they used to live as one happy family. Ryan was free and always talked to him about anything.

What led to them being this far apart and yet, they were father and son?

After hearing the news of Ryan’s illness, Miles regretted a lot of things.

He should have spent more time with Ryan. Even when he become rebellious, he shouldn’t have ignored him thinking he was just being a spoilt brat.

Perhaps if he did that, Ryan would have felt safe to tell him about his diagnosis.

“I'm so sorry, Ryan,” Miles said, his voice hoarse as tears streamed down his cheeks. “You must have hated me all this while. Instead of being your father, I spent the rest of the time finding faults in you.”

Ryan’s heart clenched when he saw how his father reacted to the news. He said, “No, I’m the one who’s sorry, Dad. I shouldn’t have kept it to myself.”

“Perhaps you kept it to yourself because you didn’t have faith in me as your father,” Miles replied and looked up, his eyes red. “Forgive me, son. You’re my precious son and I love you… I shouldn’t have acted like you were my enemy. And now… I might lose you. No parent should outlive their children. If I could trade this illness with you, I would do it in a heartbeat. Why did it have to be you? It should have been me… I’ve done nothing in this life as your father-”

“Dad, don’t say that. You may have made some mistakes along the way but you’re still my father and I love you very much. I wouldn’t ask for another father… I wanted to fix things between us earlier but I didn’t find the right time. It seems my illness has acted as the bridge to fix our relationship,” Ryan remarked, his eyes blurring with tears.

“Son…” Miles sobbed and got to his feet, spreading his arms wide. “Come, give your old man a hug.”

“What?” Ryan’s eyes widened. “I’m not five, Dad.”

Lora nudged Ryan in the side lightly with her elbow. She signalled to him with her eyes, telling him to hug his father.

Ryan sighed but he got up anyway. He approached Miles and the two shared a heartfelt hug.

Miles patted Ryan’s back and said, “My son. My precious son. I’m sorry for being a horrible father. I hate that it took you to be sick for me to realise this. But I promise to be a better father to you and Diane from now on.”

“I missed you, Dad,” Ryan uttered, his sobs becoming audible.

Lora who was watching couldn’t help but cry with them. It was an emotional scene.

Miles glanced at Diane and stretched his hand toward her, saying, “Come, my princess.”

Diane rushed forward and joined the hug. They stayed like that for a while, crying and comforting each other.

On the side, Lora and Charles shared a look before smiling slightly. Charles especially was proud of his son, Miles Kingsley, for finally fixing his relationship with his children.

When the father and children broke away from the hug, they settled in their seats once again.