Bastard Father

"Is that... is that you, Mother?" Adelson took a step forward, tears glistening in his eyes.

"Adelson, I know what you're thinking." Harley pressed her lips together and nodded. "Though I stand here as a Phantom Spirit, I am—"

"Harley Baharguli Ovis."

"A Phantom Spirit manifested in this Singularity, bearing two sets of lingering feelings. I am not your father."

Adelson rushed forward and silently embraced his mother, burying his face in Harley's shoulder as he began to cry.

"Mother... Mother..."

Harley gently patted her son's back, her eyes filled with sorrow.

"It really has been... a long time, Adelson."

"Mother, I missed you. I really missed you." Adelson was sobbing so hard he could barely speak.

"I'm sorry. I abandoned you and your father when you were still so young. I'm truly sorry." Harley stroked Adelson's hair. "This was Mom's fault. I'm sorry, son."

As she spoke, Harley released Adelson.

"Huh?" Adelson looked at Harley in confusion.

Harley rubbed Adelson's head, then turned and walked toward Lawrence.

"Harley." Lawrence looked up at Harley with a somewhat dazed expression.

Harley answered by slapping Lawrence across the face.

"...Huh?" Lawrence raised his head, clutching his faintly stinging cheek.

Harley sighed, pulled Lawrence to his feet, and dusted him off.

"Lawrence, you are exceptional. It would not be an exaggeration to call you the greatest person in the world." She lightly patted Lawrence's cheeks twice, helplessness in her eyes. "But before criticizing Adelson, why don't you first think about what you have done to this child?"

"...Adelson was wrong—gravely wrong. I know that very well, and you should know it too, Lawrence." Holding Lawrence's hand, Harley looked into his eyes. "But there is no denying that if not for us, his parents—"

The husband and wife looked at Adelson together.

"This child