Chapter 217

He laughed softly, a broken sound, before glancing back at the crib.

“I thought about reading you stories. About rocking you to sleep right here.” He ran a hand along the armrest of the chair. “About teaching you how to walk and hearing you call me ‘Dad’ for the first time.”

His voice cracked. The room seemed to shrink around him.

“But if I am not there… I need you to know something.”

He leaned closer to the camera. His eyes glistened, but there was determination in his gaze now.

“I fought. I fought harder than I ever thought I could. For you. For your mother. Because you two are everything. If you ever wonder why I’m not there, don’t. Just know that I loved you with everything I had.”

Tears now streamed freely down his face. His hand pressed against his trembling lips before he composed himself enough to continue.

“Be kind. Be strong. And take care of your mother. She’s stronger than anyone I’ve ever met, but sometimes, even the strongest p