At Yang Global Hospital

  It was past eight in the evening when the doctors finally came out of the operating room.

  "How's my father, Doctor?" Kyle asked.

  The doctor shook his head and whispered, "We did our very best to try to save him but the stab wounds hit all major organs and had caused massive internal bleeding… I am sorry Mr. Grey. Your father is dead… Time of death…"

  Kyle did not register anything after he heard the word 'dead'. He slumped to the floor and Sarah immediately pulled him into her arms for comfort.

  Kyle's tears flowed freely from his eyes. He did not even get the chance to say goodbye to his father. He did not even get a chance to say 'sorry' to him personally since he failed him as a son.

  Sarah called her brother Abram and asked for his help to handle everything regarding Kyle's father as she did not want to leave Kyle's side even for a second. She knew how hard it must be for Kyle and she could feel the pain he was going through.

  Kyle's connection from inside the prison, who had been looking after his father, arrived in the hospital with Bill Grey's belongings. Amongst them was a small box. The police had told him, "His cellmate said that this box was for his son. He planned to send it as a gift to his son."

  Sarah thanked him on Kyle's behalf, who was sitting and staring at his dead father inside the morgue. She waited outside and sat on one of the chairs. Her heart was breaking as she watched Kyle in his despair.

  He had been hopeful that his father could survive as he had patiently waited but then it had already been his time… Sarah waited for Kyle to say his farewell to his father before his body would be cremated. She heaved a long sigh as she thought of what she could do to ease Kyle's pain.

  Soon Kyle came out. He was wiping his tears as he sat beside Sarah.

  "This box is from your father. His cellmate said it's for you," she whispered as she handed the small box over to Kyle.

  Kyle opened the box and saw some letters.

  He opened one and tears welled up again in his eyes. The letters were dated for the days he had come to visit his father. It turned out that his father was writing a letter for him every time Kyle visited him.

  In his early letters, his father wrote that he was too mad at him but later he wrote that he realized his mistakes and that what had happened to him was of his own doing.

  Kyle burst into tears on reading the last letter that his father had written.

  [I'm really proud of you son… I'm just ashamed of myself that is why I don't want to meet you. I don't deserve to be your father and I'm really sorry that I was not the kind of father that you could be proud of. I'm really sorry son. I am glad that you are getting married and have found a partner for a lifetime. I really hope that you have a peaceful and prosperous life with your future wife.

  Kyle, I wanted to see you too, but what I'm doing now is for the best. It's for your own safety as well. I'm not sure how long I will stay alive but sooner or later my life will end and you know that. It's just a matter of time. Don't make a fuss or do anything irresponsible if that happens. Let me leave this world peacefully. Cremate my body right away and don't file any cases regarding my death. Don't get involved in this chaos.

  This is the price I have to pay for selling my soul to the devil and letting the darkness consume me. I have repented for my sins but I know it's already too late for me to have a new beginning. I am happy though and have already accepted my fate.

  I want you to have a peaceful life with your future family. Focus on your wife-to-be and in-laws. Please don't come to visit me again. It's for the best. Especially now that you have someone to protect. Trust me son —— it will be best to cut all your connections with me. It is the only way you will remain safe. I'm really sorry son… for everything.]

  Tears kept running down his eyes and Sarah gently stroked his back. Kyle felt so torn but at the same time, a heavyweight had lifted from his chest, knowing his father did not hate him anymore. His father did not meet him for Kyle's own safety, knowing what was coming to him.

  They stayed there for some time and Sarah hugged and comforted Kyle, letting him cry his heart out.

  Kyle followed his Father's wishes. Instead of getting an autopsy, he instructed to have a cremation instantly. His initial plan was to ask for a thorough investigation to find out who was behind the attack, but in keeping with what his father asked, he did not involve himself and let the police and the military handle everything according to the law.

  Sarah drove the car but instead of going back to her or Kyle's place, she drove to a serene place to grab dinner as both of them had not eaten since visiting the prison.

  Sarah sat beside Kyle and placed their orders. She held his hand and gently squeezed it.

  "Your father was very proud of you. It's a good thing that he wrote those letters to express what he felt for you." Sarah commented while they waited for their orders.

  "Yeah. I just hope I did the right thing." Kyle whispered.

  "It's what your father asked of you, Kyle. You're honoring his wishes and he will be at peace wherever he is now knowing you did what he asked. I think it was also his way to redeem himself, Kyle, by making sure that his only son was safe." Sarah voiced out her opinion.

  Kyle turned to look at her and she smiled lovingly. She leaned closer to kiss his forehead as she whispered, "Be at ease. You did the right thing and I'm sure father is now resting in peace as well."