Chapter 64
"Marianne... don’t ever thank me for caring for you. Because it is my blessing to be able to do so."
’... Oh...’
"... If anything, I am who should thank you for letting me care for you, sweetie. You are my precious child and all I want is to pamper you. Do not burden yourself with things like gratitude for something that doesn’t deserve it... As your Father, this much is your right... Also... if I can’t have these lovely conversations with you, it all means nothing to me....."
’... I see... so this is a basic for a parent...’
"... You almost died, dear."
’..... I...What?!’
"... That’s why... Marianne, it is me who thanks you. I... I had faith that you wouldn’t... but... dear... don’t be sick anymore... let me care for you while you are healthy and lively.... your condition... your condition does not matter to me if I can have you with me... So... please be healthy and happy... because that is what I live for, my little bird..."
"..."
It pained me how much he struggled to maintain his composure as he said such heartbreaking things to us. His voice menaced to break and his expression could not hide his grief. The matter that I almost died went straight to the back of my mind and now I only wanted to tell him that I wanted the same as him.
I want Marianne to live a healthy and happy life. The part he said about not caring about our condition was reassuring. It was almost like he told me not to rush it, to take my time and go one step at a time, peacefully, so that I wouldn’t collapse.
’... The wisdom of a parent... is something else... to say it like that... only so Marianne could find peace of mind....’
Now, I didn’t want to express myself through paper, or with spoken words... Actions say more than words after all.