John took a deep breath to steady himself. He shouted again, "The Gray family and Arthur cut ties long ago. I never asked Arthur for help. I beg for a living and take insults because I want to feel the pain Arthur suffered because of me! I want to atone for my sins! This is all my choice. Arthur didn't know!" With that, he used his last breath to yell, "Don't let Solivair mislead you and blame Arthur! He's a very, very kind kid! Even though I treated him badly, he never hurt me!!!" After shouting this, John couldn't hold on. He spat out blood, his eyes closed, and he fell straight onto the stage! Arthur's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't believe what John was saying. He never thought John would say such things one day! He never thought John would admit he was wrong. Truthfully, Arthur didn't care anymore if John repented. He just wanted to live his own life. He'd already cut ties with John and hadn't paid him much attention. He never expected he'd have a day of regret. The moment John fell, Arthur couldn't hold back. He rushed to the stage and caught him. Up close, Arthur saw John was skin and bones. His once lively face was now wrinkled and old. His skin was sallow, clinging to his bones. His face was dark with a sickly pallor, no color left. Arthur's hands shook as he held John. He opened his mouth, and finally, with trembling lips, he called out the title buried deep in his heart. "Dad." As if hearing Arthur's voice, John's closed eyes opened slightly. His vision was blurry, but he heard that "Dad" clearly. Hearing that long-lost, craved title, feeling Arthur's strong arms, tears streamed from John's eyes. Without him noticing, his son had grown so much. Feeling his sight fading, John ignored everything else. Struggling, he used his last half-breath. His blurry eyes looked at Arthur, and with broken words, he said. "Your grandfather, in the woods outside Mose City." John couldn't finish. His withered hand fell limp. Feeling John's faint breath stops, Arthur's heart shook. "Dad, Dad, Dad?" Arthur tried to wake him again. But John's eyes wouldn't open. Only a hot tear rolled from the corner of his eye. That tear was joyful. John thought to himself, I could die in my real son's arms, and before dying, I heard that "Dad" again. My final wish came true. In the end, heaven heard my repentance and let me see Arthur one last time. I just hoped my appearance this time wouldn't trouble Arthur or harm his reputation. I owed Arthur too much, more than I could repay in many lives. While wandering, I felt firsthand the life Arthur endured as a child. Only then did I truly grasp what a hellish existence Arthur had lived. Back then, he was just ten. Such a young kid, I didn't know how he survived with those small hands. As his father, living in the grand Gray family mansion, enjoying luxury, I drove my own son to that state for a mother and son who lied to him. Thinking of it, John felt less than human! But he'd done it with his own hands. Arthur stared blankly at the lifeless John. He couldn't believe the man standing before him a second ago, the man he once hated to his core, was gone just like that? Arthur thought to himself, I'd just heard his regret but hadn't had the chance to tell him about the pain I suffered as a kid. Once, I longed for his warm, broad embrace. When I was wronged, I wished John could be a kind father, pat my head, and say not to fear, that he'd always back me up. I craved his gentle smile. That shoulder that could carry everything, ever since Zac came, belonged only to Zac.