A Father's Revenge

The moment I stepped into the hospital room and saw my daughter, Viola Becky, she whispered faintly into my ear, her voice a plea, "Daddy, I... really miss mommy. Is she coming?" But all I could offer were empty words. "Hold on, sweetheart, your mommy is on her way." Viola offered a weak smile, her grip on my hand tight. "Daddy, it hurts. I love you. Daddy, I don't want to go." And then, before I could respond, her hand went limp. "Viola!" I called out to her, but the only sound was the sterile beep of the monitor. Doctors pulled me away and tried their best to revive her, but their attempts proved to be futile, and all they could tell me was, "Mr. Becky, please accept our condolences." I was devastated; Viola seemed fine when she came back. She had even told me, "Daddy, I can finally go to university like Nina. And then, I'll be the good child mommy always wanted." Why was my good girl gone just like that? The wounds covering her body, unnoticed when she returned, filled me with self-reproach and rage. I'd thought my wife, Belle Becky, had brought Viola back out of a sense of duty. But now, I couldn't help but wonder if Viola had found her way home on her own. There was no time to ponder; my mind was blank. My hand trembled unconsciously as I dialed, but no one answered after a long wait. After countless attempts, it was Belle's shrill voice that finally answered, "Phil Becky, is something wrong with you? I'm in the middle of choosing a wife for Beck. What are all these calls about? Are you jealous?" Her words ignited my fury. Our daughter was gone, yet she was still preoccupied with choosing a wife for her first love's son. "Belle, how could you be so heartless? I told you to bring Viola back, but now she has taken her own life because of depression. Do you hear me?" I shouted on the phone, but Belle was indifferent, her voice dripping with scorn, "Your daughter always thought too highly of herself. She prizes her life above all else. How could she be dead? She's the type to reject a good match like Beck. Besides, I sent her away long ago. Phil Becky, you should think more carefully about your lies!" Then she shifted her blame on Viola. "Is Viola making up stories again, trying to cause a fight between us? Why can't she just give me some peaceful time?" Her words chilled me to the bone. What torment Viola must have endured to take her own life! I was seething with anger, yelling at the phone, "I'm telling you, Viola couldn't bear it and committed suicide. Do you understand? Are you really Viola's mother?" "Phil, why are you yelling at me? You're saying all this just to forbid me from getting Beck a good wife. I had no idea you were so petty." "Beck is already disabled, and I need to be there for him to select a wonderful wife. Viola would have been a perfect match, but she was too stubborn, wanting to go to college. Does she really think she's college material?" Her lecture of insults and ridicule for our daughter filled the phone line. "Viola just wanted to burden and exhaust me! After finally supporting her through school, I was looking forward to some peace. It would have been best if she'd had a child with Beck, granting me to enjoy the happiness of having a grandchild, but no, she had to go to college. Don't colleges cost money? She's such a grown child, but she never took my feelings seriously. What an ungrateful brat!" Before I could retort, Belle hung up the phone, blocking my number immediately. I slumped into the hospital chair, failing to comprehend how I could have been so unkind as to deserve this. How could she take her misfortune out on her own daughter? Viola had been unloved by her since birth, often compared to my brothers' daughters. Not giving a mother's love was one thing, but going to college was the dream Viola held dear. She had studied diligently, never slacking, yet now, that dream had become the weapon that destroyed her. "Belle Becky, you won't get rid of me."