The silence stretched on for a long, painful spell. Though Zhong Heng wanted to be understanding of his mother, he just couldn't. He couldn't fathom her changing feelings and betrayal. He accepted that Zhong Yuhang might not be a perfect husband and father, yet…
"I need some time alone," he quietly said.
His wife tried to talk to him, but he refused any conversation, including from Ru Yi. He couldn't look into Zhong Anrui's eyes without feeling ashamed and embarrassed, more so Zhong Sihan's whom he sent to prison indirectly. It pricked more because his father's last letter was the only thing left of him. But even that had turned out to be a hoax.
Zhong Heng quietly left. His wife stood at a crossroads but Zhong Anrui said, "Go. He needs you the most now."
