The Weight of Regret

"Dad?" Gareth shouted again, but his father remained unmoving.

His subordinate, holding back tears, lowered his gaze. "Sir... he's gone."

Gareth's hope instantly vanished. His legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees, not even noticing the fresh blood seeping through his bandages as he crawled toward his father.

"Dad—" Gareth's voice shook as he reached out, slapping his father's face. The coldn