When he learned I was dating Anna, a poor student he had sponsored, he didn’t mind her humble background. Instead, he urged me to treat her even better.
But on our wedding night, after Anna left a letter and vanished without a word, my father exploded in fury.
“She’s an adult, not a child! Why couldn’t she explain anything beforehand? Why vanish without a word on her wedding night?”
“I used my connections to check; there’s no secret project that hires temporarily. She’s lying to you!”
Back then, I was blinded by love, believing my father was making baseless claims. I even severed ties with him to protect the Lane family.
For the next five years, I showed no filial respect to my own father. Instead, I moved in with my father-in-law, George Lane, serving him tirelessly.
Looking back now, I was painfully foolish, hurting the one who loved me most.
After hanging up, I wiped my tears and returned to the ward.
George had finished treatment and was resting comfortably.
Seeing me enter empty-handed, he instantly pouted in irritation.
“What time is it? You went out and didn’t even bring me anything to eat. A university professor, you think? You have no sense at all!”
Though George was just an illiterate old man from the countryside, his temper was worse than any high-ranking official I’d ever met.
For the next five years, George constantly berated me over the smallest issue, sometimes even hitting me.
Seeing me stand still, George’s voice shot up several octaves.
“Are you deaf or mute? I’m talking to you! Go downstairs to that bakery and buy me 2.6 lbs of sweet bean pastries, fresh from the oven. I won’t eat them cold!”
“And get the tofu custard from the alley across the street, extra cilantro and chili oil, plus two freshly fried dough sticks, and go easy on the salt. The doctor said my blood pressure is a bit high, and it’s all because you haven’t been taking proper care of me!”
He lay in bed ordering me around without even lifting an eyelid.
It felt like I wasn’t his son-in-law, but a servant at his command. Seeing George’s casual arrogance, I clenched my fists.
Before, even if I went hungry, I made sure he was fed and comfortable.
But now, knowing everything was a lie, and facing his overbearing attitude, I could no longer endure it.
“I’m not going.”
My voice was steady, but it made George freeze.
He seemed unsure he’d heard correctly, frowning as he looked up.