Winner Takes All

Jack Hughes did not expect anything.

He was just complaining a little but it angered his mother.

She even gave him a slap!

His mother did not hit him for a long time...

“I don’t allow you to slander him, he’s your father and my husband. He did nothing wrong back then!” Sophie Burton cried as she was full of anger.

“But he abandons us and enjoys the good life by himself!”

Jack was filled with resentment. “Does he know how much have you suffered over the years? You’re sick due to the exhaustion of taking care of me. Does he know that I grew up being judged as a bastard ever since he abandoned us?"

“Shut up, keep your mouth shut!”

Sophie replied angrily. “Jack, back then you were young and you didn’t know what happened. I wouldn’t blame you when you complained your father. Now, you’re a grown-up man. You and I had experienced many things and it was not your father’s fault. Don’t blame him anymore.”

Jack was in panic when he saw his mother’s expression.

Earlier on, he was very mad at his father whom he had never met before and neglected his mother's current condition.

He quickly comforted her. “Mum, please calm down. Please calm down...”

Sophie tried her best to take a deep breath and slowly calmed down.

She looked at Jack with full of tears in her eyes. She slowly touched his face and asked, “Do you feel hurt?”

He shook his head as he suppressed down his anger. His voice was trembling. “I just don’t understand, why do you want to protect that man!”

A moment of silence.

After a long moment of silence.

Sophie put down her hand and lowered her head. She was like recalling her memories, but also like thinking about something.

Ten minutes have passed.

“Sigh...”

Sophie sighed heavily. “When you were young, you asked me why your father abandoned you. I didn’t tell you because you were still young. Now, you’re a grown-up man and he’s back. Perhaps I should... tell you.”

After a while, she wiped the tears from her eyes. “It was because if he did not leave, he would be dead. You and I would be dead as well...”

Boom!

was like an explosion in Jack’s mind. He was

just say that the ungrateful man who abandoned the family was trying to

was that

made Jack realize something.

human life as human life!” Sophie put her hand

Jack turned speechless.

met George Hughes

to kill

on time, he

his mother’s words seemed reasonable!

hugged Jack.

begging him. “Jack, don’t blame your father. He was just trying to protect his family. Although we have suffered a lot for the past 20 years, at least we

then, he was unwilling to say goodbye to us when

been doing his best to fulfill his responsibilities. Your mother never blames your father for leaving us and you can’t blame

crying sound felt like a needle piercing

stunned

he was young, he had been

of

to hesitate about his hatred against his father.

does he wait until you’re almost dying then only sends Mr. Ward instead of himself coming over personally?” Jack asked in

the head of their family. But in this family, he’s not the only one

sound was getting louder, it was like her depression bursting out from her heart. “Last time when your father left, Mr. Ward was with him. I know Mr. Ward. It is within his limit that he could send Mr. Ward over. He still thinks of us, if

Jack felt startled.

That was right!

over and rescued his mother in

a coincidence, was

that he suddenly came back

Jack's situation was difficult as he had no way

a long

Sophie’s crying slowly lowered down, Jack breathed out

don’t know. I just tell you about all the things that

Jack felt sluggish.

His eyes flickered.

him about his conversation with Mr. Ward when he first met him.

all this time when Jack blamed about his father in front

which allowed him to grow up to take over the position

suppressed all the complicated thoughts. He

“Mum, I understand.”

your father, otherwise I would