**Diary Entry A Fathers Return**
*10th May, 2023*
Daddy, dont go! Please, dont leave us! I dont need anythingno toys, no sweetsjust stay with us! Six-year-old Toby clung to his fathers leg, his little voice breaking.
Their mother was sobbing in the next room, too weak to stand. Meanwhile, fourteen-year-old Liam stood stiffly, fists clenched, love and hatred warring inside him.
Toby was just a childhe didnt understand. But Liam *did*. Hed seen his mother on her knees the night before, begging their father to stay, just until Toby was older. But the pleas had fallen on deaf ears.
Stop it! Get up! Liam pulled Toby away. He doesnt care about us, so let him go!
Son, dont be like this, their father said softly. Ill still visit, still help. Im just living somewhere else. We*I*made this decision.
*We*? You mean *you* decided! Liams voice cracked. Mum begged you to stay! Were your family! But youre leavingfor some *woman*! Is she worth more than us?
**Family Games**
If Dad had dropped his bags, hugged him, and said it was all a mistake, Liam wouldve forgiven him in a heartbeat. Because this was the man whod taught him to fix a bike, taken him fishing, read him stories at bedtime. How could he just walk away?
Toby wailed. Mum wept. Their father hesitatedthen left, head bowed.
Daddy! Dont go! The cry chased him down the street.
**Aftermath**
Life changed. Liam refused to see him, threw back the gifts he brought. Toby waited by the door, staring out the window, but Mum said, He doesnt want you.
She spat bitter words: *He fell in love. Found something sweeter elsewhere. You werent enough.*
Liam stewed. Toby cried.
**A Year Later**
Dad returnedor tried to. Toby wasnt home. Only Liam and Mum. He begged forgiveness, said hed made a mistake, couldnt live without them.
Mum refused him. So did Liam. The hurt was too fresh.
Toby wasnt asked. He was still too young.
**Years Pass**
Liam went into business. Toby became a doctor. They lived well but rarely mettoo different. Liam, harsh and stubborn, mocked Tobys kindness. Mr. Soft-Heart, hed joke.
Before Tobys wedding, they took a tripa rare chance to talk. On their way back, at the station, Liam nearly tripped over a homeless man. Filthy, legless, with a ragged beard.
Then Liam *laughed*.
Stop it! Toby hissed, dragging him away.
Liams grin turned vicious. Dont you recognise him? *Look at his eyes.*
Green. Just like theirs.
Toby froze. The man *was* their father.
Liam unleashed years of fury: This is what you deserve! Wheres your *love* now? Rot here, you coward!
Toby said nothing.
Then he knelt, touched the mans dirty cheek. Hello, Dad.
Their father sobbed, clutching his hand.
Liam cursed and walked off.
Toby lifted himlight as a childand carried him home.
**A Lesson**
Some say Tobys a fool. Others call it love.
But I know the truth: the boy who treated his stuffed animals grew into a man who heals woundseven those he didnt cause.
And sometimes, forgiveness is the hardest medicine to give.
