Saved a Hundred Goodbyes

My name was Natalia Granger. My husband, Andrew Lane, was a CEO, but he didn't love me or our son, Carl Lane.

In order to spend time with his first love, Jennifer Zink, and her child, Jordan, Andrew would give one piece of candy to Carl before leaving. He promised he would return once Carl collected 100 candy wrappers.

…

Yet, when Carl finally gathered 100 candy wrappers, Andrew dumped him by the side of a highway instead. It was all because of another child's birthday party.

Panicking, I searched everywhere for Carl. By the time I found him, he had become mute due to the trauma.

However, Andrew only commented flippantly, "Jenny and Jordan didn't mean it. Can't you two be more magnanimous?"

Eventually, Carl no longer became sad when Andrew left, nor did he hold out hope for Andrew's return.

Instead, he simply wanted to return the candy wrappers to Andrew while also leaving a note that read, "Daddy, I don't want you to come back anymore, but could you return my voice to me?"

"Mommy, I've already gathered 100 candy wrappers. Why isn't Daddy coming home?"

In a hospital room, I, Natalia Granger, stared at my son, Carl Lane, as he fumbled to use his newly learned sign language to communicate with me. My tears, which had been pooling in my eyes, finally spilled down my cheeks.

I didn't even know how to tell him that his father, Andrew Lane, wasn't coming home because he was spending time with another child. Andrew had long since forgotten about the promise that he had made.

Taking in the lost yet hopeful look in Carl's eyes, I forced myself to smile and hug him. "Once you've recovered, we'll find him together, okay?"

Carl nodded obediently, having understood my meaning. He voluntarily took his medicine. Then, he lay down to sleep while hugging his teddy bear.

I stayed with him until he was asleep, after which I stepped out of the room. Then, I helplessly sighed.

…

Eight days ago, Carl finally managed to collect 100 candy wrappers and instantly got ready to seek out Andrew. He wanted to ask Andrew whether the latter could come home and celebrate his seventh birthday with him.

Andrew had initially agreed, so Carl happily clambered into the car before they made their way back.

Midway through the journey, Jennifer Zink's son, Jordan Sallow, had called. He insisted that Andrew celebrate his birthday with him.

Just like that, Andrew abandoned Carl, who was only seven years old, at the highway.

By the time I found poor Carl, the trauma and low temperature had caused him to become mute.

Even so, Andrew, despite being Carl's father, never once came to visit him.

Unable to contain my raging emotions anymore, I dialed Andrew's number once again. Much like my previous attempts, he didn't pick up. However, I heard his ringtone sounding out from the other end of the corridor.

Jogging in the direction of the sound, I