He now looked like he was gasping for his last breath.
Byran, scared out of his wits, quickly pushed his elder brother away. âBro! Now is not the time to confront Dad. We need to save him first!â
Balfour snorted. âHe wonât die! He needs to live to face the mess heâs created!â
As soon as Balfour finished his outburst, the sound of ambulance sirens echoed from the outside.
Hospital.
When McNeil woke up again, he was greeted by the sterile white walls of the hospital and the smell of disinfectant.
âDad! Youâre finally awake!â Byranâs face came into view. Worry was etched all over his face.
McNeil paused, realizing that he had not been able to escape after all. Bitterness began welling up in his eyes.
Byran sat beside the bed. âDad, you canât do such foolish things again. Whatâs bothering you so much?
Grandpa and Grandma still donât know youâre in the hospital. Theyâd be terrified if they found out!â
McNeil remained silent. He closed his eyes, not wanting to face the world.
Byran added, âDad, the doctor said when you wake up, you should take these pills. Theyâre for pain.
Here, let me help you sit up and take them, then you can lay back down.â
McNeil remained still, not accepting his youngest sonâs help and refusing to take the medication.
Byran was a little frustrated. âDad! You have to take them!â
McNeil remained unresponsive.
Byran was at his witâs end.
âLeave him alone. If he doesnât want to take his medicine, let him suffer!â Balfourâs voice echoed through the room.
He had been there all along, sitting on a couch in the corner, engrossed in his phone.
After hearing his eldest sonâs voice, McNeil abruptly opened his eyes, turned his head towards Balfour, and rasped in a hoarse voice.
âBalfour, you said when we were home that I deserved to live in pain for the suffering I caused themâ¦
Do you mean⦠theyâre still alive?â
Balfour remained coldly indifferent, still engrossed in his phone. âWhether theyâre alive or not is none of your business.â
He found a glimmer of hope in his statement. McNeil strained to sit up. âBalfour, I know youâve always hated me, but no matter how much you hate me⦠Can I see them, please?â Upon seeing his father struggle, Byran rushed to help him sit up.
âBro, stop tormenting Dad! Heâs already like this.â.
Byran was heartbroken. He had never seen his father in such a state and didnât want to keep things from him any longer. âDad, I know where your daughter is. I can bring her to the hospital to see you.â
McNeil looked at Byran in amazement. âReally?â
Byran nodded fervently. âYes! Dad, if you cooperate with the treatment and take your medicine, Iâll call her in the morning and ask her to come see you.â
Aspark fit up in McNeilâs eyes. He sat up properly and reached out to take the medicine.
Due to his weakness, McNeil struggled with the action. After Byran helped him take the medicine, he also helped his father lie down, advising him to rest.
For the chance to see his daughter, McNeil cooperated fully, nodding his head and closing his eyes to rest.
After seeing this, Byran felt a terrible ache in his heart. He turned and walked over to sit next to Balfour and whispered, âBro, if Dad/continues like this, Grandpa and Grandma will find out sooner or later. If theyâre scared into an accident, our family will be ruined. If our sister could come see pad, he would definitely cooperate with the treatment. Heâd get better faster and wonât attempt suicide again.â