The man lying on the hospital bed before me was frail and weak. He was nothing but skin and bones.

He resembled a skeleton. His hair was gray, his cheeks were sunken, and only his cheekbones remained prominent, making him look much older than his actual age. But it was clear that he had been handsome. You could see it amidst his pallid complexion.

His condition made it clear that he had been confined underground for a long time. Coupled with malnutrition, he basically looked half-dead.

I couldn't imagine how he had survived these past twenty years.

He still hadn't regained consciousness. If it weren’t for his faint breaths, I wouldn’t have believed he was still alive.

I stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do, my emotions running high.

Atlas embraced me and gently guided me forward. "This is your father. The examination results aren't out yet. Let's wait."

I turned to Atlas. "Is this really my father?"

"Yes, it’s your father who loves you deeply." Atlas's gaze was serious