Laura tried to respond in a gentle manner and chose good words to remove her son's guilt. "Anthony, you are my son. And we are a family bound with love, not hatred."
Laura forced a smile and continued,"My indisposition was not your fault at all, so stop feeling guilty."
Hypertension, indeed, should be dealt with utmost delicacy. Otherwise, the patient would have to suffer a lot.
"I feel a bit tired. I must go upstairs to rest." Laura glanced at Anthony and was about to leave.
"Let me support you upstairs, mom." Anthony tried to show Laura his love and concern. However, Laura declined,"No, thanks. I can manage. I am not that old not to support myself. You had better rest early. Good night!"
It indeed pained Anthony to gaze at Laura's staggering figure. He felt displeased to Carlson for not having told him about Laura's condition.
"Dad, why didn't you tell me of mom's condition earlier?" he rebuked him.
"I see no point of telling you about it," Carlson sneered. Then he complained,"You are more devoted to that woman than to your parents!"
Carlson's complaint rendered Anthony especially guilty, who admitted to have disregarded filial piety.
"But..." He paused for a while. He took a deep breath before he continued,"Why didn't you have a heart-to-heart talk with me at home?" Anthony felt more guilty after realizing his absence of devotion to Laura.
"Every time you returned home, you would always argue with us for the sake of Sheryl," Carlson condemned. "Laura asked me to keep her illness from you including last month's appendectomy because she doesn't want to worry you. But with today's argument, you just didn't know how much you've caused her to suffer."
Upon hearing what Carlson had just said against him, Anthony realized his blunders.
Anthony lavished all his time and efforts upon Sheryl that he already neglected his old parents.
"Dad, I admit my mistake," Anthony rose up and apologized to Carlson. He was still filled with guilt. He wished his father would just slap him in the face.
"I didn't love you enough and I took your love for granted. I broke your hearts." Anthony tried to seek for Carlson's forgiveness.
But Carlson only sighed and said,"Enough of your flattery. Just don't anger Laura anymore. That would be enough!"
"I..." He couldn't finish his words. He felt nonplussed as to what was the right thing to do.
Carlson glanced at his son and concluded their conversation,"Since it's too late now, go to your room and rest. I have to go upstairs and take care of your mom."
Anthony was left alone. He reflected for a moment before he thought of calling Sheryl, who was about to take a shower when her phone rang. So, instead of going to the bathroom, she sat on the couch and took Anthony's call. "It's too late now. I thought you were already sleeping. Is there anything urgent you need to talk to me?"
"I missed you so much! That is why I call you." There was loneliness in his voice. This was the first time that Anthony lost his sense of direction.
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