The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly overhead, casting a sterile glow over the hospital room. She lay on the bed, exhausted, her breaths uneven as pain surged through her body. The contractions were relentless, her fingers trembling as they clutched the sheets.

Beside her, he held her hand tightly, his grip firm but gentle. He had never seen her like this - so vulnerable, yet so strong. Fear gnawed at his gut, but he forced himself to stay calm.

Then the doctor entered, his face unreadable, clipboard in hand. "We need to perform an emergency C-section," he said. "The baby's heart rate is unstable, and she's in distress."

The words hit him like a punch to the chest. "A C-section?" he echoed, his voice shaking.

The doctor nodded. "It's the safest option, but?" He hesitated. "It's expensive."

He felt his stomach drop. His mind raced. He had only started his job as a liaison officer - a position that barely covered their rent. She wasn't working, not since her pregnancy had taken a toll on her body. They were already behind on bills. He had barely scraped together enough for the hospital fees, and now this?

His hands clenched into fists. He had no savings, no family to lean on. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, suffocating.

But then he looked at her - sweat-drenched, eyes fluttering between exhaustion and fear. He looked at the woman carrying their child, the love of his life.

Money be damned.

"Do it," he said, his voice firm despite the tremor in his chest. "I'll figure out the rest later. Just save them."

The doctor nodded, already turning to give instructions to the nurses. The bed's wheels squeaked against the floor as they rushed her toward the operating room.

Left alone in the waiting area, he pulled out his phone, staring at his bank account. Not enough. Not even close. His throat tightened as he swallowed down the panic.

He had no plan. No idea where to get the money.

But one thing was certain - he would do whatever it took to make sure they were safe.

---

He paced outside the operating room, his hands running through his hair. Every passing second felt like an eternity. His phone screen glowed in the dimly lit waiting area, filled with unanswered messages and calls to relatives.

"I wish I could help, cousin, but things are tight right now."

"I'm so sorry, man. I just don't have that kind of money."

"Maybe try a loan? The hospital might allow installment payments."

His chest tightened. It wasn't enough. Not even close.

Desperation clawed at him as he rushed out of the hospital, dialing every number he could think of. And when that failed, he took a gamble - he went to the government office for financial aid.

The room was packed with people, all waiting their turn, faces worn with the same worry he carried in his chest. He approached the front desk, breathless.

"My wife - she's in surgery right now. A C-section. I need help with the cost." His voice cracked, but he didn't care. "Please."

The clerk barely glanced at him before sliding a stack of papers across the counter. "Fill these out. Attach proof of income, residency, and hospital documents. After that, processing takes two to four weeks."

Weeks? He felt his world tilt. "I don't have weeks. My wife is in surgery right now - I need the money today."

The clerk sighed, pushing up her glasses. "I understand, sir, but this is the process. Maybe you can try other means in the meantime."

His hands curled into fists. Other means? What else was left?

He stormed out, the papers clenched in his grip. His mind raced. A loan? His salary barely covered their daily expenses. Borrow from a loan shark? The thought chilled him.

His phone buzzed. It was the hospital.

He inhaled sharply before answering. "Hello?"

"Sir, the surgery is going well, but we need to settle the initial payment soon."

His throat felt dry. He had no answer.

Outside the hospital, the city lights blurred as his eyes welled with frustration. He had never felt so powerless.

But he couldn't afford to be powerless now.

Taking a deep breath, he wiped his face and made a choice.

Even if it meant swallowing his pride, begging, or taking a risk - he would find a way.

---

He sat on a bench outside the hospital, gripping his phone so tightly his knuckles turned white. The city lights flickered in the distance, but all he could see was the towering hospital building in front of him - where she was fighting through surgery, where his child was about to be born. And here he was, helpless.

His mind raced through options. He had called every relative, exhausted every favor, pleaded with the government for assistance. Nothing.

Just as he was about to make a desperate decision - maybe go to a loan shark, maybe sell the few valuables they had left - his phone rang.

A number he didn't recognize.

He hesitated before answering. "Hello?"

"Is this Mark?" The voice was deep but unfamiliar.

"Yes," he said cautiously.

There was a pause. Then:

"I heard you need help."

His heart pounded. "Who is this?"

"I owe your father a debt," the man said. "A long time ago, when I had nothing, he helped me. Told me to pay it forward. I've been waiting for the right time."

His breath caught in his throat. His father - gone for years now - had always believed in helping others, even when they had little to give.

"How much do you need?" the man asked.

He hesitated. Was this real? A trick? But he had no time to second-guess. He swallowed hard and told him the amount.

"Consider it done," the man said. "Check your account in ten minutes."

The call ended. He sat there, staring at his phone, hands shaking. Was this a miracle? A coincidence?

A few minutes later, his banking app pinged. His breath hitched. The money was there.

He bolted inside the hospital, his heart pounding for a different reason now.

This time, it wasn't fear.

It was hope.

Years passed, and the struggles of that night at the hospital slowly faded into memory. What remained was the warmth of a home filled with love, laughter, and the quiet strength of a family that had endured so much.

Their son, Nathan, grew into a bright and energetic child. From the moment he could crawl, he was always by his mother's side. He clung to her legs as she moved around the house, reached for her hand whenever they went outside, and nestled into her arms whenever he needed comfort.

Despite his deep love for their son, he sometimes found himself watching from the sidelines, a quiet smile on his lips. Nathan adored his mother in a way that was almost inseparable. At bedtime, he refused to sleep unless she was the one to tuck him in. When he scraped his knee, it was her embrace he ran to first. Even when he tried to help, Nathan would shake his head stubbornly.

"No, Mama do it."

It was something that stung just a little - but he understood. She had carried him, nurtured him, been there every second of his young life. Their bond was unbreakable.

One evening, as they sat in the small but cozy living room, Nathan curled up against his mother's chest, already dozing off. He watched them from across the room, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

"He's really attached to you," he said.

She smiled, running her fingers gently through Nathan's hair. "He loves his Papa, too."

He raised an eyebrow playfully. "Does he? Because I swear, I feel like the third wheel sometimes."

She laughed quietly, shaking her head. "You're his hero, you know."

He blinked. "What?"

She looked up at him, her gaze soft. "Every night before bed, he asks me to tell the story. The one about how you did everything you could to bring him into this world." She reached out, taking his hand in hers. "You might not see it now, but one day, he will understand just how much you fought for him."

His chest tightened, emotion swelling inside him. He reached out, brushing a stray curl from Nathan's forehead.

Maybe he wasn't always the first one their son ran to. But one day, Nathan would know. He would understand.

And in that moment, that was enough.

---

Nathan was two years old when everything changed again.

The day he lost his job, the weight of the world crashed down on him. He had fought so hard to provide for his family, to make sure they never had to struggle the way he once did. But now, standing outside the office with a termination letter in his hand, all he could think about was how he would tell her.

When he got home that night, she saw it in his eyes before he even said a word.

She didn't get angry. She didn't cry. She simply took his hands in hers and said, "We'll figure this out. Together."

With no savings left and no stable job prospects, they made the difficult decision to move back to her mother's house. It wasn't what he wanted - he had promised himself he would always stand on his own, that he would never rely on others. But pride didn't feed a family, and Nathan needed security more than he needed his independence.

Living Under Someone Else's Roof

Her mother's house was small but comfortable, a place filled with memories of her childhood. But to him, it felt suffocating. He was grateful for the roof over their heads, but every day, he felt like a guest in his own life.

Decisions were made without him. Her mother had a strong presence in the house, and he often found himself nodding along to her choices rather than making his own.

"What are you doing looking at job postings in IT?" she'd say. "Those jobs take too long to hire. You need to find something now."

He couldn't argue. He needed money.

And so, he took whatever he could get.

A construction worker by day, lifting heavy loads until his body ached. A waiter by night, balancing trays while suppressing the exhaustion in his bones. On weekends, he took on side jobs - painting houses, repairing fences, anything that would bring in enough to keep them afloat.

None of it was what he studied for. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - a degree that now felt like a cruel joke.

But worse than the jobs, worse than the physical exhaustion, was the feeling that he had lost his voice. His choices weren't his own anymore.

A Father in the Shadows

Nathan, now a lively toddler, spent most of his time with his mother and grandmother. He was barely home, and when he was, he was too exhausted to play. He would come back late at night, covered in dust or smelling of food, only to find Nathan already asleep in his mother's arms.

One evening, after another grueling shift, he walked in and heard laughter from the living room. His wife, her mother, and Nathan sat together on the floor, playing with toy blocks.

Nathan looked up, eyes bright with excitement. "Mama! Grandma!"

And then, after a pause, he turned his head toward him.

"Papa?"

The hesitation in his son's voice hit him harder than any backbreaking labor.

He forced a smile, kneeling beside him. "Hey, buddy. How was your day?"

But Nathan had already turned back to his mother, babbling excitedly about his toy car.

He sat there, watching, feeling more like a stranger in his own family than a father.

The Breaking Point

One night, after a long day, he sat outside the house, staring at the sky. His hands were rough, calloused from labor that had nothing to do with the career he had dreamed of. He had spent years working toward something better, but now, it felt like he was moving backward.

She found him there, sitting in the dark.

She knelt beside him, resting a hand on his. "You're not alone in this."

He let out a hollow laugh. "Aren't I? I don't make the decisions anymore. I just? exist."

She squeezed his hand. "Nathan might not see everything now, but one day, he will. He'll know how hard you worked for us."

He looked at her, searching for the truth in her words. He wanted to believe it.

But deep down, he wasn't sure how much longer he could live like this.

---

A Twist in Fate

By the time Nathan turned six, life had changed again.

His mother, after years of staying home, finally found a job. At first, it was just a few hours a day, and Nathan barely noticed. But as her workload grew, so did the time she spent away.

At first, it was just mornings. Then afternoons. Then, before Nathan even realized it, she was barely home before bedtime.

His routine changed. No more waking up to his mother's gentle voice. No more afternoons filled with her warmth. Instead, it was his father who woke him up, packed his lunch, and walked him to school. It was his father who helped him with his homework, played with him after school, and cooked their meals.

At night, he would sometimes try to stay awake just to see his mother, but by the time she returned home, his small body had already surrendered to sleep.

And on weekends?

She was always out.

At first, she had excuses - errands, work commitments, things she needed to do. But over time, Nathan stopped asking why she left. He just accepted it.

And slowly, without even realizing it, he started turning to his father for everything.

A Father and Son Bond

It started small - simple moments that built something stronger.

His father, despite working different jobs, always made sure Nathan was happy. If he wanted a toy, his father would find a way to get it. If he wanted to go somewhere, his father would take him. If he was sad, his father was there to cheer him up.

They played games together, watched movies, and shared meals. His father, once a shadow in the household, was now the person Nathan spent all his time with.

One day, at school, his teacher asked him to draw his family.

Nathan picked up a crayon and carefully drew two figures.

Just him. And his father.

When he got home, he showed it to his dad with a big smile. "Look, Papa! It's us!"

His father's heart ached as he looked at the drawing. "Where's Mama?" he asked gently.

Nathan hesitated, twirling the crayon in his fingers. "She's always busy," he said simply. Then, his face lit up. "But you're always here, Papa."

His father swallowed the lump in his throat, forcing a smile. "Always, buddy. Always."

The Realization

One evening, as Nathan sat playing with his toys, his grandmother sighed beside him.

"He barely asks for her anymore," she said, shaking her head. "A boy needs his mother."

He clenched his jaw but said nothing.

Because deep down, he knew the truth.

Nathan had already started to accept that his mother wasn't a constant presence in his life anymore.

And whether she realized it or not, she was slowly fading from their son's world.

---

The Truth Revealed

Nathan was too young to understand at first.

All he knew was that his mother was never home. That she stopped hugging him as much, stopped listening when he talked about his day. Even on weekends, when he hoped to spend time with her, she was always "busy."

But one day, everything changed.

It happened by accident. He was six, old enough to notice things, but still too young to fully grasp them. That afternoon, he had finished school early, and his father had promised to pick him up. But instead of going straight home, they made an unexpected stop.

His father needed to drop something off at the mall, so they went inside. Nathan was holding his father's hand when, from across the food court, he saw her.

His mother.

Laughing. Smiling. With a man who wasn't his father.

Nathan's small hand squeezed his father's instinctively. "Papa? Mama's here!"

His father froze.

For a long moment, he just stood there, staring at the woman he loved - the woman he had worked himself to exhaustion for - sitting with another man, looking happier than she had in months.

Nathan, still unaware of what was really happening, tugged at his father's hand. "Let's go say hi!"

His father didn't move. His breath was shaky, his grip weak.

Then, his mother turned her head.

And for a split second, their eyes met.

She froze, the smile vanishing from her lips. The man beside her followed her gaze and whispered something, but she quickly turned away, pretending she didn't see them.

Like they were strangers.

Nathan frowned. "Papa, why is Mama - "

"Let's go," his father whispered, his voice barely holding together.

That was the first time Nathan saw his father break.

That night, his father barely spoke. He barely ate. Nathan noticed the way his hands trembled, the way his eyes looked hollow and lost. He didn't understand why - only that something was very, very wrong.

But no matter how much pain his father was in, when Nathan called for him, he still smiled. He still hugged him tight.

His father was hurting. But for Nathan, he would set his pain aside.

The Separation

The truth came out not long after.

Nathan was too young to understand the argument that took place behind closed doors, but he heard the yelling. His mother's voice, cold and distant. His father's, raw with pain.

And then, the words that shattered everything:

"I'm choosing him."

Nathan didn't understand what that meant at first. But he understood when, days later, his father packed their bags.

They were leaving.

His mother stood by the doorway, arms crossed. She didn't beg them to stay. She didn't cry.

Nathan clung to his father's hand, confused. "Mama? Are you coming too?"

His mother's expression flickered - just for a second. But then she sighed, shaking her head.

"No, Nathan."

His father's grip on his hand tightened. Nathan felt his small chest grow heavy. "But? why?"

She didn't answer.

And in that moment, Nathan understood something he shouldn't have had to at six years old.

His mother had chosen someone else over their family.

She had chosen to break them.

As they walked away, Nathan looked up at his father. His face was unreadable, but his grip on Nathan's hand never wavered.

"Papa?" Nathan whispered.

His father looked down. "Yeah, buddy?"

Nathan hesitated, then squeezed his father's hand tighter.

"You're not going to leave me too, right?"

His father stopped walking. Slowly, he knelt down so they were eye level.

"No, Nathan," he said firmly, his voice thick with emotion. "Never. No matter what happens, it's just you and me now. And I promise - I will never leave you."

Nathan didn't understand everything that had happened. He didn't know why his mother made the choice she did.

But in that moment, holding his father's hand, he knew one thing for sure.

His father wasn't going anywhere.

---

A Life of Constant Change

After leaving his mother, life became unstable for Nathan and his father. They moved from one place to another - sometimes staying with relatives, sometimes renting small rooms in unfamiliar neighborhoods. Just when Nathan would get used to one place, they would pack their bags and leave again.

But no matter how often they changed houses, one thing never changed: his father was always there.

Every morning, his father woke him up early, making sure he had breakfast before school. Even if he barely had enough sleep from working late shifts, he still stood by the stove, preparing Nathan's favorite food.

"Eat up, buddy," his father would say with a tired smile, sliding a plate of eggs and rice in front of him.

No matter how exhausted he was, he made sure Nathan started the day with a full stomach.

And every morning, he walked him to school, holding his small hand tightly, as if making a silent promise that he would never let go.

Waiting for Papa

After school, Nathan would often be picked up by a relative - an aunt, an uncle, sometimes even a distant cousin - because his father was still at work. But no matter who fetched him, Nathan always asked the same question:

"Is Papa coming soon?"

And every afternoon, without fail, Nathan would wait.

Some kids would go home, turn on the TV, or play with their toys. But Nathan? He would sit by the door, watching, listening for the sound of his father's footsteps.

Sometimes his father came home late, his clothes dusty from work, his face tired. But the moment he stepped inside and saw Nathan's small face light up, all the exhaustion melted away.

"Papa!" Nathan would run up to him, arms outstretched.

And his father - no matter how tired, no matter how much his body ached - would kneel down, scoop him up, and hug him tight.

"I'm home, buddy."

No Time for Himself

His father never had time for himself.

There were no weekend basketball games with his friends. No late-night gatherings. No outings just for fun.

If he was invited to a wedding, a birthday, or even a reunion, Nathan was always with him.

"Why don't you leave him with us just for a night?" a relative once suggested. "You need a break."

But his father only shook his head. "I'm okay. He's my responsibility."

Nathan didn't realize it at the time, but his father was giving up everything for him. His youth, his social life, his freedom - everything was for Nathan.

The Silent Sacrifice

One night, Nathan couldn't sleep. He got up and padded toward the small living room, where his father sat alone.

The lights were off, and in the faint glow of the streetlight outside, Nathan saw something that made his little heart ache.

His father, usually so strong, so unwavering, was sitting with his head in his hands.

He wasn't crying. He wasn't making a sound. But the weight on his shoulders was visible - even to a six-year-old.

Nathan didn't say anything. He just walked over and hugged him from behind.

His father flinched slightly but then let out a deep sigh, patting Nathan's small hands.

"Why aren't you asleep, buddy?"

Nathan buried his face into his father's back. "Because you're not sleeping either."

His father chuckled softly. He turned around and pulled Nathan into his lap, holding him close.

"I'm just thinking," he said, voice tired but gentle.

Nathan looked up at him. "About what?"

His father hesitated, then smiled. "About how lucky I am to have you."

Nathan didn't understand the depth of his father's sacrifices yet. But in that moment, he knew one thing:

No matter how tired, no matter how overworked, no matter how lonely - his father never made him feel like a burden.

He only made him feel loved.

---

The Unwelcome Return

Nathan was eight years old when his mother came back.

It was a normal afternoon. He was sitting outside their small home, waiting for his father like he always did, when a car pulled up in front of the house.

The door opened, and out stepped a woman he hadn't seen in years.

His mother.

Nathan blinked, unsure if he was dreaming. He had almost forgotten what she looked like. She seemed? different. Dressed well, hair perfectly styled, carrying an expensive handbag.

For a moment, she just stared at him, as if she were trying to recognize the little boy she had left behind. Then, slowly, she crouched down and smiled.

"Nathan," she said softly.

His stomach felt weird - like he should be happy, but something wasn't right. He didn't move.

"I missed you, sweetheart."

Before Nathan could even react, the front door slammed open.

His father stood there, his face dark with anger.

The Father's Decision

"What are you doing here?" His voice was low, controlled - but Nathan had never seen his father this tense before.

His mother straightened up, holding her chin high. "I came to see my son."

His father stepped forward, shielding Nathan behind him. "You don't get to call him that."

Nathan's mother crossed her arms. "I have rights - "

"You gave up those rights the day you walked away," his father snapped. His voice wasn't loud, but the weight of his words was enough to make her take a step back.

"I made mistakes," she admitted, her tone softer now. "But I want to fix things. I want to take him back with me."

Nathan's chest tightened. Take him back?

His father let out a short, bitter laugh. "You mean take him away from me?"

"I can give him a better life," she argued. "I have a stable home now. A good job. He won't have to live like this anymore."

Nathan felt his father tense. He knew those words must have hurt him.

But then, his father knelt down, looking Nathan in the eyes.

"Do you want to go with her?" he asked gently.

Nathan's breath hitched. He looked at his mother - this stranger who had returned after so many years. She had a nice car, nice clothes, a world he didn't know.

Then he looked at his father - the man who had held him when he was scared, fed him when he was hungry, worked himself to exhaustion just to keep him happy.

His heart already knew the answer.

Nathan shook his head. "No, Papa. I want to stay with you."

His father smiled, though his eyes were full of emotion. He pulled Nathan close, hugging him tightly.

Then, standing up, he turned back to the woman who had abandoned them.

"You heard him," he said firmly. "Now leave. And don't come back."

For the first time, Nathan saw something crack in his mother's face. A flash of regret, of pain. But she had made her choice long ago.

She opened her mouth, as if to say something - but in the end, she just turned and walked away.

Nathan watched as the car drove off, disappearing down the road.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. His father's warm, steady grip.

"You okay, buddy?"

Nathan turned to him and smiled. "As long as I have you, Papa."

His father exhaled, ruffling his hair. "Always, Nathan. Always."

And as the sun set behind them, Nathan knew - his father had always been enough.

---

The Mother's Persistence

Even after being told to leave, Nathan's mother didn't stop trying to win him back.

She started small - sending gifts, new clothes, expensive toys. At first, Nathan was tempted. He had never owned things like that before, and for a moment, he wondered if maybe his mother had changed.

But every time he opened a package, his father's tired but genuine smile flashed in his mind. The man who had worked himself to the bone, the man who never left his side.

Then, one day, his mother showed up at school.

Nathan was sitting alone during lunch when she appeared beside him.

"Nathan," she said with a soft smile. "Look what I got you."

She held out a brand-new gaming console - the kind of thing he had only seen in stores. His breath hitched.

"Come on, sweetheart," she coaxed. "I can give you a better life. You don't have to struggle anymore."

Nathan's fingers brushed against the box - but then, deep inside, something felt wrong.

"Does Papa know you're here?" he asked quietly.

Her smile faltered. "He doesn't need to. I'm your mother, Nathan. I have a right to see you."

Nathan looked down at the expensive gift in his hands. It was tempting. So tempting.

But then he thought about his father - the man who never needed gifts to show his love.

Slowly, Nathan placed the console on the bench and shook his head. "I don't want this."

His mother's expression hardened. "Nathan, I'm your mother - "

"No," he said firmly. "You're the one who left."

Her face twisted with frustration. "You're too young to understand now, but you will one day."

Nathan looked her in the eyes. "I already do."

She clenched her fists, breathing heavily. And then, without warning -

She grabbed his wrist.

"Let's go."

Nathan's heart pounded. "No - let me go!"

"I'm your mother," she hissed, tightening her grip. "You belong with me."

Panic surged through him, but then -

"Nathan!"

His father's voice cut through the tension.

Nathan turned to see him sprinting toward them, his face filled with fury and fear.

"Nathan, come here." His father's voice was steady, but there was no mistaking the warning in his eyes.

Nathan yanked his hand away from his mother and ran straight into his father's arms.

His father held him protectively, staring his mother down. "Don't you ever touch him like that again."

"You can't keep him from me forever," she spat.

His father's jaw clenched. "We'll see about that."

The Legal Battle

The very next day, his father took him to Child Protective Services.

Nathan was scared. He didn't understand all the paperwork, the questions, the serious-looking adults discussing his future. But he did understand one thing - his father was fighting for him.

His mother tried to take things to court, arguing that she could provide a better life. She had the money, the house, the stability.

But the judge looked at Nathan.

"You're eight years old, Nathan," the judge said gently. "You have the right to choose. Who do you want to stay with?"

Nathan didn't hesitate.

"My Papa."

Silence filled the courtroom. His mother's face twisted in shock.

"Are you sure?" the judge asked.

Nathan turned and looked at his father - the man who had given up everything for him.

The man who never abandoned him.

The man who always put him first.

Nathan nodded. "Yes. I choose him."

His father exhaled, his shoulders trembling with relief.

His mother, defeated, had no choice but to accept his decision.

As they walked out of the courtroom, his father kneeled down, cupping Nathan's face in his hands.

"You don't regret it, buddy?"

Nathan hugged him tightly. "Never."

And for the first time in a long time, his father finally let out the tears he had been holding back.

Because after years of struggle, after pain, sacrifice, and endless love -

Nathan had chosen him.

---

A Life Built on Love

Years passed, and life slowly became more stable for Nathan and his father.

His father, once struggling to make ends meet, finally landed a stable job in his field. It wasn't immediate, and it wasn't easy, but his determination never wavered. He took night classes when Nathan was asleep, studied during breaks at work, and after years of effort, he finally got a position in IT.

With a better income, they no longer had to move from place to place. They found a small but comfortable home - a place they could finally call their own.

Despite everything, his father never changed.

Even when work became demanding, he never missed a morning with Nathan. He still made breakfast, still walked him to school, and every afternoon, no matter how tired he was, he still came home with a smile, ready to listen to Nathan's stories.

And Nathan? He grew up knowing the meaning of love, not through words, but through actions.

A Son's Gratitude

By the time Nathan was a young man, he had become everything his father had hoped for - kind, responsible, and driven. He worked hard in school, determined to make his father proud.

One evening, as they sat together for dinner, Nathan put down his fork and looked at his father.

"Papa," he said.

His father raised an eyebrow. "What's up, buddy?"

Nathan smiled. "I just wanted to say thank you."

His father blinked, confused. "For what?"

"For everything," Nathan said, his voice thick with emotion. "For always being there. For never leaving me, even when it was hard. For giving me the best life you could."

His father chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You don't have to thank me for that, Nathan. I just did what any parent should do."

Nathan shook his head. "No, Papa. You did more. You gave up everything for me. And one day, when I have a family of my own, I want to be just like you."

His father's eyes softened, and for the first time in a long time, Nathan saw the deep emotion he always tried to hide.

"I'm already proud of you, son," his father whispered. "You've always been enough."

And as they sat together in their small but warm home, laughing and sharing stories, Nathan realized something:

They may have faced struggles. They may have been abandoned.

But in the end, they had each other.

And that was more than enough for a happy life.

The End.