"...W-wha-... w-what...?" Cal's voice trembled, his words faltering. The weight of the revelation pressed heavily on his lungs, making each breath a struggle.

"...I am... protecting the man... whom I love..." Gregory's voice quivered slightly, his words punctuated by a panting breath.

"Y-you're... with Podeshire...?" Cal's voice shook even more. He couldn't fully grasp or accept the truth that had been revealed.

"...Yes," Gregory sighed heavily as his gaze dropped to the ground.

     Cal's breath hastened, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Tears shimmered in his eyes as he looked down. He stared at the floor, his face drained of colour. Overwhelmed by guilt, his mind flooded with remorse, and his heart shattered into countless pieces.

     Oliver grunted, his eyes tightly shut as he summoned every ounce of strength to rise from the ground. His legs felt as numb as solid lead, making each movement a struggle. As he managed to stand, gasping for air, he wiped the sweat from his face and gingerly held onto his wound. Panting heavily, Oliver directed a tender and forgiving gaze towards Cal.

     Guilt and regret sparked through Cal's veins like lightning, causing his body to tingle. A chilling wave of shudders surged through his body as the revelation dawned. Cal furrowed his eyebrows, gently shaking his head and briefly closing his eyes before meeting Oliver's gaze.

"...D-do you mean... Podeshire is my..." Cal's voice faltered as he looked towards Oliver.

"...Your son-in-law?" Gregory ventured. "Yes," he confirmed.

"P-Podeshire is my... son-in-law..." Cal whimpered, the weight of the revelation crashing down upon him. He placed his trembling hands on his head, clutching his hair. "My... son-in-law..."

"...You've always wanted to kill him because you believe his family ruined ours. Isn't that your intention? But, look. He is a part of your family now..." Gregory extended his palm, placing it gently over his chest. "...Our family..."

"I... I..." Cal's voice shook, his words caught in his throat.

"If you care about our family so deeply that you would resort to violence, why would you want to hurt your own family members?" Gregory questioned.

Cal looked at Jean. "...If you're with Podeshire... d-does that mean he is..." Cal's trembling finger pointed directly at Jean.

"My son," Gregory affirmed. "...Your grandson."

"My grandson...?" Cal gasped, his breath catching in his throat. Tears flooded his eyes, blurring his vision.

"Yes. You're a grandfather now," said Gregory.

     Cal turned around and looked at Oliver, his eyes brimming with tears. Cal's brows began to furrow slowly as he clenched his teeth. Suddenly, he snatched a pocket knife from his coat and charged towards Jean, his heart threatening to shatter into a million pieces. Jean's eyes widened in fear as he caught sight of the glinting blade. His heartbeat skipped a beat, and he closed his eyes tightly, bracing himself for the imminent strike.

     Gregory gasped, and his instincts kicked in. He swiftly lunged forward, positioning himself between Cal and Jean, his arms outstretched protectively. His eyes winced shut, bracing for the impact. Oliver's shriek pierced the air, his heart leaping into his throat. He extended a trembling hand towards Jean, urging his feet to sprint, desperately trying to reach them in time.

     The blade sliced through Jean's body, and a sickening sound filled the room. Oliver and Gregory watched in horror, their breaths caught in their throats, as time seemed to freeze in that agonizing moment. Cal's trembling nerves lost their grip on the knife, causing it to clatter to the floor, forgotten. Tears flowed down his face as anguish, regret, and shock consumed him.

     Jean squeezes his eyes closed, refusing to open them as his trembling body quivers with fear. In the darkness behind closed lids, he expects a stinging pain. But, to his surprise, Jean feels the strict bonds around his body gradually loosening their grip instead.

     Slowly gathering his courage, Jean opens his eyes, cautiously taking in his surroundings. Before him, he sees the tight rope that once bound him now severed in half. Relief splashes over him as he realizes he can finally move his arms freely. Confusion gives way to understanding as a smile of gratitude forms on Jean's face.

     Oliver and Gregory's eyes gradually shift towards Jean. As their gazes land on their son, they see him unharmed, released from the restricting rope. They immediately realize Cal's sole intention was to free Jean from his confines. Oliver and Gregory draw in a deep, shivering breath, their bodies trembling with tension and relief. Finally, they release a sigh of reassurance, grateful that their loved ones are safe.

     Cal's strength wanes, and he collapses to his knees before Jean. With a trembling hand, he reaches out and gently places it on his grandson's cheek. Cal's face draws closer to Jean's, and tears glisten in his eyes. As Cal closes his eyelids, teardrops slide down his face, tracing the contours of his cheeks.

"I... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Cal's voice quivered as he whimpered, gently brushing Jean's face.

     Tears cascaded down Cal's weary face, tracing a path of sorrow. He leaned forward and embraced Jean, wrapping his arms around his tiny frame. As his tears fell upon Jean's shoulder, regret wrapped around Cal's mind. The consequences of his actions sank in, and he found himself consumed by remorse, seeking a chance to undo the past.

"I'm... very... very... sorry... I'm sorry..." Cal's voice cracked with the weight of his emotions as he sobbed, hugging Jean tightly.

     Jean remains seated, his gaze locked onto Cal's tearful eyes. Sighing softly, Jean reaches out and wraps his arms around Cal's neck, returning the embrace. In that tender moment, Jean and Cal find peace in each other's arms, their hearts connecting and pulsating.

     Reluctantly releasing the embrace, Cal glances at Gregory, guilt coursing through his entire being. With a heavy heart, Cal stands upright, and his body trembles with remorse. Slowly, he approaches Gregory, bashfully lowering his eyes.

"...Gregory..." Cal brushed his elbow as he stepped closer to Gregory.

     Cal's hands trembled as he reached out and placed them gently on Gregory's cheeks. Gregory averted his gaze, his love tainted by resentment. Hatred rose within him, threatening to drown out any remaining traces of affection. He took a sharp breath, lips tightening and fists clenching. Unexpectedly, Cal's soft and warm lips pressed against Gregory's forehead.

Holding Gregory's hands firmly, Cal's voice trembled as he spoke. "...My son. I believe I owe you an apology for everything I have done... from the past to this moment," Cal's voice quivered with sincerity. "...I seek your forgiveness, oh, Gregory..." His grip on Gregory's hands tightened as tears flooded his eyes. "...I confess to all my mistakes, the wrongs I've committed against you and others," Cal's voice cracked with guilt. "...I sincerely beg for your pardon," Cal pleaded. "...Forgive me, my son..."

     Slowly, Cal pulled Gregory closer and enveloped him in a tight embrace. His arms formed a warm and comforting loop around Gregory's trembling frame as tears gushed down his face. Cal's hug tightened, and his sorrow transformed into inconsolable wailing against Gregory's shoulder.

     Contempt stood as an impenetrable barrier to Gregory's forgiveness, casting a shadow over his heart. Though his heart desired to respond, Gregory felt powerless, his words lacking the authority and dominion to bridge the divide. Sighing, he glanced at Oliver, silently seeking understanding.

     Meeting Gregory's gaze, Oliver stared back, his heart heavy with the pain of the past. Taking a deep breath, he swallowed the bitterness, mustering the strength to nod. As the weight began to lift, a smile slowly formed on Oliver's face.

     The grudge within Gregory's heart begins to fade, its stronghold gradually weakening. His breath grows louder, mingling with the sound of released emotions. Tears gently leak from his eyes, dripping down his cheeks. Swiftly, Gregory wraps his arms around Cal, returning the embrace.

"...I forgive you..." Gregory's voice wavered with emotion as he cried. "I... forgive..." He returned the warm, tight hug, holding Cal tightly in his embrace.

     Oliver watches with hopeful eyes as the broken bonds renew, with conflicts finding resolution. A bright smile stretches across his face, reaching from ear to ear, as his breath steadies, reflecting the stability within. Slowly, Oliver closes his eyes, savouring the moment, knowing the past is in the process of writing yet another history.