I walked toward Mark's room, the hallway dim and quiet. As I passed the bedroom, I heard it — a soft sniffle. I stopped, frozen for a moment. Emily was crying.
My hand hovered over the doorknob. I thought about turning back, saying something, doing something… but maybe she didn't want me to. Not yet. I stood there in silence, then took a breath and moved on, quietly closing the door behind me.
I reached Mark's room and knocked — once, twice. No answer. I slowly pushed the door open.
He was lying in bed, eyes closed. I sat on the chair beside him.
"Faking sleep, huh?" I said softly.
He didn't respond.
Maybe he really was asleep.
I sighed, then spoke from the place in me that still hurt the most.
"Hey, Mark… I'm sorry. For everything. I never meant for things to end up like this. I never wanted our family to feel so broken. I thought I was doing the right thing, being strict, being perfect. But I see now... all I did was push you away."
I leaned forward, elbows on my knees.
"Do you remember when you broke that vase, and I slapped you?" I raised my hand, then slapped my own cheek — hard. "That's what I deserve. Maybe worse."
I swallowed hard.
"I liked you, Mark. Not because you followed my orders… but because of who you were. Because of the things you created, the joy you had. And I crushed that."
Silence filled the room.
"I know I hurt you. I know I can't undo it. But… if there's anything you want to say, anything at all… I'm here."
Mark remained still, breathing slow and steady. Maybe he really was asleep. Or maybe he just couldn't face me yet.
I stood up, walked to the light switch, and paused.
"Good night, Mark," I said gently, then turned off the lights and closed the door behind me.
I passed our bedroom without stopping. I couldn't go back there. Not tonight.
I made my way down the stairs, every step heavier than the last. Nana was lying on the couch. When she saw me, her tail gave a weak wag.
I sat beside her, gently stroked her head, and whispered, "You're the only one who waited for me, huh?"
She nestled against me.
I lay down, pulling the blanket over myself, and let the couch become my refuge.
I didn't want to intrude on Emily's space. Not yet. Not after everything I'd done.
I closed my eyes.
And when I opened them again, I was no longer in my body.
There I was — lying on the couch, Nana curled up beside me. And beside her, on the other end of the couch, sat David.
He looked at me with kind eyes.
"Well done, John," he said. "This is the first step. You're learning what love means… what it really means to care, not to control. Keep walking this path."
I lowered my head in shame. "Thank you, David. I don't deserve this chance, but… thank you."
David looked up toward the ceiling, then slowly closed his eyes. "My time has come, John."
I blinked. "What do you mean?"
At first, I didn't understand. Then I saw it — his body beginning to glow, his form turning to light, slowly rising.
"No… David, wait! Please don't go. I still need you!"
Tears filled my eyes. I reached out, trying to grab his hand, but it slipped through mine.
David smiled down at me, peaceful and warm.
"I showed you the path, John — not the destination. Make your own way forward. Don't copy someone else's life. Be original. Be real. And remember…"
He looked straight into my soul.
"Always make time for your wife. And your son."
And then he was gone.
Floating upward, fading into light.
I was alone again.
But this time, I knew what I had to do.