Chapter 1344 Letting Go (XVII)

• That one sentence hit Chadwick Fullner like a club to the skull. The sudden pain blindsided him, and tears burst from his eyes. His father’s hunched back turned away step by step and disappeared into the elevator. In that instant, Chad felt like this was a goodbye longer than forever. He knew his father would never forgive or accept what he’d done. His dad had always been stubborn and old-fashioned—just saying that one line was already the biggest tolerance, the farthest he could bend. It meant he’d tossed aside the principles and beliefs he’d clung to all his life, all for his son. That was as far as he could go. And the truth was, it was Chad who had pushed him, inch by inch, into that corner. Like hell did he want this.
• Chad knew full well his father wouldn’t come back to Millsborough. Not unless he got so old he couldn’t take care of himself and Chad dragged him back, or unless Chad went home himself. Otherwise, there’d be no seeing him again. He might even get kicked out if he went back. He knew his dad’s temper—he could do that. But Chad had zero ground to blame him. Compared to the pain his father had swallowed for him, compared to all the things he’d given up, Chad’s troubles were nothing.
• But Chad couldn’t stop him either. Just like he couldn’t go chase down Madison Sawyer. Making them both stay and face his screwups day after day—that would be cruel.