The Doctor Denied His Father at the Door

CHAPTER 2 - The Lie That Lasted Seven Years

Mark ordered Walter into an empty consultation room.

"Tell me everything."

Seven years earlier, Mark had been preparing to begin his hospital residency. He and Leah had been together for three years.

Mark wanted to marry her.

Walter believed marriage and a child would destroy his son's career.

Walter had spent his life repairing trucks for little money. His wife had died before Mark finished medical school. Walter became obsessed with making sure their sacrifices were not wasted.

When Leah told him she was pregnant, Walter made a terrible decision.

He told her Mark had chosen his career and wanted nothing to do with the baby.

Then he told Mark that Leah had left with another man.

"I thought you would forget her," Walter said.

"You stole my family."

"I thought I was protecting your future."

"You protected the future you wanted, not mine."

Leah moved away and raised Sophie alone. She refused to speak to Walter for years.

When she became seriously ill, she contacted him because Sophie had no other family.

Walter cared for Leah during her final months.

Before she died, she asked him to find Mark and tell the truth.

"Why did you wait four months?"

Walter lowered his head.

"I was ashamed."

Walter had also tried to visit the hospital twice. Mark had refused to see him because he still remembered their last argument.

He never knew Walter was caring for a child.

Mark returned to Sophie's room.

She was awake, watching the rain strike the window.

"Did you know my mommy?" she asked.

"Yes."

"She said you wanted to help sick people."

Mark sat beside her.

"She believed I abandoned her."

Sophie nodded.

"She cried when she talked about you."

Mark looked away before the child could see his tears.

A nurse entered with new test results. Sophie's infection was serious but treatable. She would need several days in the hospital.

Walter tried to stand but collapsed again.

His blood pressure had fallen dangerously low. Years of poor food, cold nights, and exhaustion had weakened his heart.

Mark suddenly had two patients.

One was the daughter he never knew existed.

The other was the father who had taken her from him.

Before Walter was taken for examination, he caught Mark's sleeve.

"I do not deserve forgiveness."

Mark pulled his arm away.

"Then do not ask for it. Tell Sophie the truth and let her decide what you are to her."