“Why did my father reject me, Mom? Why?!” Artem shouts, throwing the blanket aside with anger. His lips press into a thin line, his body trembles. Tears splash in his blue eyes. “Because every time I stand at the gates, I think: if only he had seen who he rejected! He would’ve found out I’m the best goalkeeper—and choked on his rejection!”
“Believe me, it’s better for your father not to know,” I whisper, gently brushing his messy hair.
After a pause, my son admits: “I found his account online.”
I widen my eyes. “Why, Artem?”