Do you have children? Have you raised a family?
When a child gets caught doing wrong, he or she immediately says: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry; please, I'm sorry."
That sounds like the plea of a child trying to escape the consequence of a wrong committed, whether the consequence be a spanking or a privilege being taken away. But being sorry doesn't necessarily change a person. The child may keep on committing the same action and keep on "being sorry," or simply apologizing for committing the wrong. It depends on how far they think they can push the limits of the parent.
I asked God to forgive me because I was sorry for my sins. I had not known about the repent or perish scripture. I repented because I wanted to obey God and be reconciled to Him. I was sorry for my sins, despite your analogy of the child and parent. Even if I had repented out of fear, it does not make my apology any less contrite.
Stop denying we have to repent and that repent means to want to turn from that sin or sins. Here are many scriptures saying we have to.
"If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
"…but now God commands all people everywhere to repent." Acts 17:30
"Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, and times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:19
"Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him and to our God, for He will freely pardon."
Isaiah 55:7
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret."
2 Corinthians 7:10
Saying I'm sorry is just an apology. God does not want an apology. Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to apologize for our sins. That is what being sorry for your sins is--apologizing. "Whoops, I'm sorry God."
The Lord doesn't accept it.
And it doesn't get anyone saved. It is false message of hope.
You go against the Word of God when you say we do not have to repent, and when you say repenting is not being sorry for our sins. You go against the Word of God when you say God does not accept our repentance.
It would be right to repent even if someone repented because of suffering.
Revelations 9:20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk.