Chapter 3
The diagnosis shattered the last wall I had been clinging to. After that, I spiraled deeper into confusion, unable to distinguish between reality and illusion. Everyone was convinced there was something wrong with my mind. And slowly, I began to doubt myself too. Was the son I remembered so vividly nothing more than a figment of my imagination? My parents stopped urging me to treat Katie better. Annalise no longer tried to convince me to face reality. Fearing I might unintentionally harm Katie, my parents quietly took her back to their old house. Only Annalise stayed behind, choosing to care for me on her own. She made every meal for me, reminded me to take my medication, and handled every detail of my daily life with patience and tenderness. It was just like when we were newly in love—she smoothed over every dark thought in my heart with infinite gentleness. Sometimes, my parents would bring Katie to visit me. Each time, she would look at me with eyes full of hope, trying her best to get closer to me. But all she ever received in return was my cold indifference. Despite my rejection, she would still force a smile through the sorrow in her eyes and say softly, “Daddy, no matter how you treat me, you’ll always be the father I love most.” “I believe one day, you’ll remember me—and accept me again.” Time flew by. Eighteen years passed in a blink. Today was Katie’s wedding day. Annalise had gotten up early to wash and dress. There was excitement she couldn’t hide—her entire being was glowing with anticipation. Before leaving the house, she looked at me one last time and asked, “Today is our daughter’s big day. She told me what she wants most is your blessing.” “Are you sure you’re not going?” I shook my head and said blandly, “No. I’m not going.” Seeing how firm I was, Annalise didn’t push further. She sighed softly, disappointment gleaming in her eyes, then left for the wedding alone. I sat in the quiet room, a strange anxiety stirring in my chest. Panic rose from nowhere. Ever since I was diagnosed with delusional disorder, I had been on medication. My condition had stabilized over the years. Very little could shake me now. But for some reason, as I scrolled through my parents’ social media feed filled with pictures of the wedding celebration, a crushing sense of fear hit me. Everyone was smiling so happily around Katie, laughter bursting from every photo. And all I could feel was that something incredibly important was being torn away from my life. The suffocating sense of loss made it hard to breathe. Hands trembling, I reached for the bottle of pills in my nightstand drawer. But my shaking fingers couldn’t grasp it. The bottle slipped from my hands, rolling under the bed. I dropped to the floor to retrieve it— And there, beneath the bed, I saw it. A single Ultraman toy. My eyes widened in shock. In an instant, every memory of my son came flooding back like a tidal wave. I remembered every detail over the years. I re-examined every moment, every oddity I had dismissed. And then, suddenly—it all clicked into place. The truth, sharp and clear. So this… this is what really happened. With my heart pounding, I rushed out the door, heading straight to Katie’s wedding. The venue was full of guests, laughter echoing through the air. Katie stood in a snow-white wedding dress, arm-in-arm with her groom, making toasts and smiling radiantly. Then she saw me. Her eyes lit up immediately. She broke into a run and stopped in front of me, joy spilling from her voice. “Dad! You came—did you come to my wedding just to give me your blessing?!” Her face was glowing with happiness—unable to hide the sheer excitement and surprise. To her, my arrival must have felt like the universe finally answering her deepest wish. And then Annalise stepped forward beside her, also smiling.