Brent had specially selected a spot under a tree for Ethan so Ethan could lean against the trunk for support.

Ethan was visibly weak now.

He was like a candle with wax slowly dripping from it. When the last drop of wax was spent, that was when the light would go out.

The mountain breeze picked up. Ethan felt his mind becoming a little clearer.

He spoke slowly.

"Brent, the thing I regretted the most in my life was agreeing to Marina's unreasonable requests and taking out my anger toward the Fordhams on Liv.

"If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have suffered so much.

"We wouldn't have to be separated from each other, and our family wouldn't have to be apart. It can't even be called a family at this point."

Brent said, "Mr. Miller, you had your reasons. Please don't say that."

"Hah, reasons. In the past, I deceived everyone with that excuse, including myself. But no one would hurt others just because they had reasons."

Ethan said softly, "When I was a child, I hated my father.