He Killed My Father for His First Love

Hearing the word "divorce," Elijah was taken aback. His face darkened as he said, "Is this still not enough? I’ve been trying to placate you for so long. If you want a divorce, call your dad. If he agrees, I won’t stop you."

When I didn’t respond, he assumed I’d eventually back down, as I had before. But this time, I stood my ground.

"I’ve been too lenient with you, letting you get away with everything. Reflect on that," I said coldly. "I have other things to do, so I’ll leave now."

He glanced at his phone, where the screen displayed "Jianna." He was going to see her again!

I threw the prepared divorce agreement at him. "Don’t leave yet. Sign this!"

He bent down to pick up the divorce agreement, his expression twisted in rage. "You’re asking for trouble," he growled.

"Fine, if that’s what you think, then just sign it!" I shot back, completely out of patience.

For a few tense seconds, the room was silent. Elijah turned off his phone, walked over to me, and asked with forced calm, "Addison, you don’t have someone else, do you?"

The question was ludicrous. How could he even think of such a thing? Our connection ran deep.

I remembered how we first met: Elijah had been stranded in the mountains while conducting research, his car stuck in the mud. My father happened to drive by and helped him out.

From a distance, I saw Elijah misinterpret my father’s gesture. My dad had held up two fingers, but Elijah thought he was asking for twenty dollars. When my father shook his head, Elijah’s frustration mounted, and he angrily scolded my dad for what he perceived as a problem with his character.

The scene made me furious. It looked like Elijah was bullying my father, so I stormed over and shoved him hard. I then turned to my father to find out what was really going on. My dad had held up two fingers to indicate he needed to return to the village to get two more people to help.

Realizing his mistake, and knowing that my father’s vocal cords were damaged and that he couldn’t speak clearly, Elijah was deeply embarrassed. He insisted on making things right and ended up staying in our village for more than a month to assist us and show his sincerity.

As my father and I saw Elijah every day, we gradually grew accustomed to him. After completing his survey, Elijah insisted on taking my dad to the hospital for a check-up on his vocal cords. The doctor’s diagnosis was hopeful: the condition could be treated.

At that point, I needed to return to school, but Elijah was adamant about staying at the hospital to care for my father. His attention to detail and considerate nature impressed us both. He treated my dad with such kindness that other patients in the ward believed he was my father’s biological son.

It was clear that Elijah had developed feelings for me, but I was aware that we were not well-suited for each other. I maintained a façade of indifference, pretending not to notice his affections. Despite my father’s encouragement to embrace love and be brave, I remained resolute in my decision. My focus was on my studies and ensuring a better future for my father.

When my father was finally discharged from the hospital, the elevator broke down. Without hesitation, Elijah carried my father on his back, descending the 16 flights of stairs. His back was drenched with sweat, and his steps were uneven, but he refused to put my dad down. Once we reached the car, he retrieved a blanket he had prepared in advance from the trunk, gently draping it over my father and reminding him to keep warm and not catch a cold.

After we arrived home, Elijah shared something personal with me. He revealed that his current father was actually his stepfather, who had always been distant and unkind. His mother, a driven career woman, had been so absorbed in her work that Elijah had never really known the warmth of family affection.

Although my father and Elijah hadn’t known each other for long, my dad had shown him genuine kindness and care, making Elijah experience a warmth he had longed for. Seeing the emotion in Elijah's eyes, slightly reddened with unshed tears, my heart was finally touched.

Whether it was out of pity or a deepening love that I could no longer contain, I reached out and hugged him. “From now on, your dad is my dad too. Let’s honor him together and make him the happiest dad in the world, okay?”

The sincerity and solemnity in his eyes, along with the radiant glow that seemed to envelop him, were unforgettable. He looked at me with a profound sense of gratitude and resolve.

“Okay,” he replied, his voice trembling with emotion.

We laughed and laughed until tears streamed down our faces. The joy of our new relationship was overwhelming. When my father learned that Elijah and I were officially dating, he was genuinely happy. His laughter was so hearty that it seemed to smooth out the lines of his face.

His only concern was whether Elijah’s family would approve of our relationship. Elijah reassured him, stating firmly that he was committed to marrying me and would never consider anyone else. He assured my dad that his family would ultimately respect his decision, so there was no need for worry.

After a year of dating, we began discussing marriage. When our families met to discuss the arrangements, Elijah’s mother and stepfather treated my dad with great respect and politeness, even inviting him to take the lead in planning the wedding.

I later discovered that Elijah's family had initially opposed our union. To show his dedication, Elijah had even threatened a hunger strike to persuade them. Learning this, I felt deeply touched. It was clear that Elijah’s commitment to me was profound and sincere, and I felt it was worth everything for someone to go to such lengths for our love.