We smiled so sweetly in that photo.
Yet now, the bitterness in his heart was unbearable.
He never thought that one day, I would leave without a word, quietly disappearing.
Harry stepped into Charlie’s room. As he pushed open the door, his heart clenched once more.
The room, once full of childlike innocence, was now empty–except for a half–built castle of toy blocks on the floor. It was the birthday gift he had given Charlie last month.
Back then, Charlie had been overjoyed, his eyes filled with anticipation as he asked.
“Daddy, can we build it together?”
He had lifted his son high into the air, laughing as he promised.
“Of course! Whatever you want to do, Daddy will always be with you!”
But after that day, his heart was entirely consumed by Olivia and her son. He ignored all of Charlie’s invitations, brushing them aside without a second thought.
Now, staggering forward, he saw the fragile castle suddenly collapse. The unexpected sound made him freeze in place.
The “home” his son had painstakingly built had crumbled into ruins, revealing a broken clay figurine
inside.
It was the figurine they had made together during Charlie’s first–ever parent–child activity at kindergarten.
That day, Charlie had excitedly held up his creation and said.
“This is Daddy, this is Mommy, and this is me.”
He had laughed and playfully reminded him.
“Then you must take good care of it–because the three of us will always be together.”
Now, memories of his son, their family, and their past life came flooding back.
Harry finally buried his face in his hands, collapsing weakly onto the floor as tears streamed down his
50.0%
Chapter 5
face.
Now, he finally understood–everything had long spiraled out of control.
My departure, along with our son, wasn’t a petty act of defiance.
It was inevitable.
Just then, his phone rang.
Harry wiped his tears hastily, his vision finally clearing enough to see the caller ID.
It was Olivia.
The moment the call connected, the woman’s anxious sobs came through.
“Harry, Lucas suddenly said his eyes hurt. Could it be a rejection reaction? Can you take him to the
hospital?”
Harry jumped to his feet in a panic, but in his haste, he accidentally knocked over the trash bin by the
door.
Scattered papers spilled across the floor, revealing childish handwriting.
He took one glance–and immediately began to tremble all over.
Charlie had been keeping a diary since he first learned to write–starting with simple smiley faces, then drawings, then pinyin, and finally, words.
He had been recording his daily life in his own way, waiting for the chance to share it with Harry.
At first, Harry would patiently listen, sharing his own day in return.
But at some point, he began to grow impatient.
Later, he became annoyed.
And then, he started locking himself in his study, completely shutting Charlie out.
One door had split their home into two worlds.
Inside, he was busy caring for his so–called “true love.”
Outside, his child had waited, day after day, for those fleeting moments of fatherly attention.
As if possessed, Harry reached into the trash bin, picking up the torn pages and carefully piecing them
Chapter 5
back together.
Day 50 after the car accident.
I’m slowly getting used to my new eyes. Daddy smiles more and more now.
He used to turn away whenever he saw my eyes. I guess he’s finally getting used to them too.
Day 99 after the car accident.
Mom and I overheard Daddy talking to the doctor.
He said my eyes had been given to another child.
I was confused and wanted to ask Mom why.
But when I saw her crying, I kept quiet.
Mom has decided to take me away. While she was handling my transfer papers, I saw the child who took
my eyes.
I also saw my Daddy.
He was standing with them, saying that I was disgusting.
I suddenly remembered how Jack and the others looked at me at school.
Their expressions were the same.
For some reason, I started to feel afraid.
This time, Daddy didn’t stand up for me.
I don’t understand.
Yesterday, Daddy got so angry when someone laughed at me.
But today, he’s defending that other child.
Is that child different from me?
Day 100 after the car accident.
Daddy brought that bad child and his mother home.
That child pushed me down on purpose.
22.12
The Failed 100–Day Test
56.2%
Chapter 5
Then he sat on me and dug out my toy eye.
It hurt so much.
The bad woman told me that Daddy gave my eyes to her son.
She also said that Mommy’s kidney was a “gift” to them too.
That was the first time I saw Mommy completely lose control.
It was also the first time I saw Daddy hit Mommy because of that woman.
I feel so wronged.
I think… I will never forgive Daddy.
Harry clutched the torn pages, burying his head deep into his knees.
A few moments later, his body trembled violently, and deep, guttural sobs escaped his lips.
He regretted it.
He regretted it.
But it was too late.
The phone rang again.
Harry glanced at the screen before pressing decline.
Soon after, Olivia called again.
