Chapter 7
By the time I completed my research, five years had passed.
With a suitcase in hand, I boarded a flight to a new city, ready to begin a new chapter and pursue a new scientific direction.
I no longer longed for the warmth of family. Strangely, solitude suited me. There was a kind of peace in having no one to wait for, no one to disappoint.
By chance, I reconnected with my old PhD professor. He told me, “Your parents have been searching for you all these years. They seem truly heartbroken. Now that you’re back… don’t you want to see them?”
I considered it, then shook my head. “I don’t want any contact with them. Please, don’t tell anyone I’ve returned.”
He nodded, understanding. He knew what my home life had been like-how, during my PhD studies, I’d almost gone hungry. He was the one who quietly paid my tuition when I couldn’t manage it myself.
“I understand,” he said without hesitation. “I’ll keep your secret. Still, you should come back and visit when you can. Your labmates miss you.”
I nodded. I didn’t have to think about it. I missed them too.
But the moment I landed back in the city where I’d studied, my parents intercepted me.
I had no idea how they found my flight details, but there they were at the airport, waiting. My mother rushed forward and threw her arms around me, tears streaking down her face like she was clinging to a ghost come back to life.
“Jason… my son, it’s really you. You’re alive. Thank God you’re alive… Where have you been all these years? We’ve searched everywhere.”
I stared at her, unmoved. Her embrace meant nothing now. I pulled away. There would be no tearful reunion, no warm
forgiveness.
“Now I’m your son?” I said calmly. “When you threw me out back then, you didn’t hesitate.”
My father’s lips parted as if to speak. It took effort, but he finally managed, “We’re sorry, Jason. We didn’t know what Carson had done to you. We trusted him too much. Please… give us a chance to make it up to you.”
“If you want anything,” he continued, “we’ll give it to you. The company, the money-everything.”
I shook my head. “I have no interest in the company. I still prefer the research you all looked down on. I’d rather not embarrass
you again.”
I picked up my suitcase, ready to leave.
“We support your research!” my father said quickly. “Whatever you need, we’ll invest. Just let us help-”
I brushed his hand away. “No need. Don’t stop me. I’m leaving.”
Then, from the edge of the terminal, someone rushed forward and dropped to their knees in front of me.
It was Carson.
His appearance was completely changed-thin, sallow, clothes worn and yellowed with age. The arrogance was gone. He looked
hollow and broken.
My mother tried to push him aside, but he wouldn’t budge. He stayed kneeling, and then, unbelievably, began to beg.
“Jason,” he cried, “I’m sorry for what I did. Please, I’m begging you-please forgive me. Mom and Dad kicked me out because of you. I have nowhere left to go. If you don’t forgive me, I’ll kneel here until I die!”
I let out a breath and curled my lips into a cold smile, Carson hadn’t changed at all.
“What? Can’t survive without the Wheeler family name? You’ve got hands and feet-go get a job. Why come here playing the victim? This isn’t about remorse. You just want to use me to get back into Mom and Dad’s good graces. You’re not sorry. You’re just desperate.”
His face went pale. He hadn’t expected me to cut straight through his act. His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
I didn’t waste another second.
Leaving the three of them behind, I stepped outside the airport, hailed a cab, and headed straight for the university.
