Ex-wife, Please Come Back

Jacob continued to look around. The whole place was silent as it should be. Just then, he sighted a note on the ground. It looked like someone had placed it there on purpose. Immediately, Jacob put the chrysanthemum near the other bunch of flowers. Then, he picked up the note.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he read the words on the paper. Cold shivers also ran down his spine.

The note read, "You spent your whole life trying to forgive me.

So, I will spend the rest of my life atoning for my sins.

And he will always miss you until the end of time.

We are different. But at the same time, we are alike."

Jacob took a good look at the note. The handwriting was very legible and it looked like James had written it. Jacob's heart sank. At that moment, he felt like his courage had been drained. With a dejected look on his face, he sat on the tombstone.

It was hard to imagine the torture that James must have gone through while he worked with Michael back then. Guilt must have filled his heart. Jacob fully understood the feeling of guilt. He knew that the pain could make a person's heart break whenever they remembered their sins.

It was the same way he felt anytime he was with Sara. Jacob always remembered the amount of suffering he put her through. Because of this, his heart ached. And he wished that he could turn back the hands of time.

There were so many things that were beyond human comprehension. But when it happened, the people involved could describe how it felt. Guilt was one of such things. Only those who were consumed with guilt could tell exactly how it felt.

"Dad, I'm sorry that I discovered the secret. I have been wondering if I should have kept quiet. And I shouldn't have blurted it out. Assuming I didn't make any confrontation, maybe we won't have to be apart. But that day, I just couldn't restrain myself. I really wanted to know the truth. The matter was bothering me greatly. I wasn't thinking straight when I blurted it out."

Just like Jacob couldn't wait for his results after he took an exam, he was apprehensive on that day that he confronted James. Truly, he was perplexed and he wanted to know his true identity.

Although he would finally know the results of the exams he took, it didn't discourage him from being anxious.

"I cried the day he left. Dad, I am sorry I couldn't make him stay. Would you have been happy if I stopped him from leaving? I guess you wouldn't care. After all, you are gone from this world forever. You can't be concerned about what happened here,"

Jacob said as more tears welled up in his eyes. All these things seemed like a dream to Jacob. This wasn't just because he was the one involved. But also, because it was a miniature of all his problems.

often said, there can never be an effect without a cause. Jacob wiped his tears with the back of his hand. He cleared his throat and continued, "I know

the tombstone. In that picture, he was smiling broadly like he always did. This was the first time Jacob felt so sad as he looked at Michael's smile. In the past, his late father's smile brightened

in death. And Jacob couldn't help but imagine that

offended him. Assuming he was placed in Michael's shoes, he wouldn't have managed the situation well. Maybe, he would have done something

regretted signing that agreement. But now, I think it's the best decision I ever made. Otherwise, there would have been endless humiliations and troubles haunting you. But I want you to be proud of the life you lived. I would make sure that no dent is put on your name.

just like how he did whenever he

living soul asides from him in the cemetery at that time. However, Jacob didn't feel afraid.

flashed back to what Michael had

must be good to

had meant at that time. But

refused to stay. Even though he had persuaded him against leaving, he was still adamant. The guilt that James felt probably intensified as he aged. Old age often caused people to reflect on how

was nothing he could do. Besides, James had the

deal with letting go of a loved one. The ability to accept such a decision from a

felt when

in a daze.

adored me regardless. After

stretched out his hands and picked up the bottle of liquor. As he continued to stare at Michael's picture, he recollected all that happened in the

his biological father, he had catered for him more than how a

I didn't need to say those words because you were my father. Now, I regret that I behaved very unruly and ungrateful. I should

it on the ground in front of

think I can ever forgive myself for not telling you how I felt until now. You deserved to hear those words of

down freely on Jacob's cheeks as he spoke.

down. He wanted to be close to his beloved father as he grieved.

of how I treated her badly couldn't be erased just like that. As they say, what goes around comes

that he wanted to share all that was on his mind with his old man because before, he seldom had a chance to do that.