Chapter 721 In a Flash, Back into Daddy's Arms
Another Bedroom.
Vera went back and immediately reached for Teddy in Patrick's arms.
Teddy, eager to please Vera, crawled towards her. This time, Patrick pulled away, not letting Vera hold him.
Vera, frustrated, grabbed Patrick's shoulder and tried to take Teddy. "I asked you to hold him earlier, and you didn't. Now you won't let me hold him. Give me the baby!"
Teddy clung to Vera's sleeve, refusing to let go, as if Patrick were a villain keeping him from Vera's comforting embrace.
Finally, Teddy nestled into Vera's warm arms, his little mouth immediately seeking her cheek.
Vera held Teddy's chubby back, her face enduring his slobbery affection.
The room was silent. Patrick didn't speak, and neither did Vera. They just took turns holding Teddy. The only one unbothered was Teddy, who lay on Vera's face, babbling away. His tiny fingers poked through Vera's thick sweater, then curiously tugged at it.
After a few minutes of silence, Patrick spoke first. "Is there anything else you're hiding from me about Randall?"
"No, what Molly said is everything," Vera replied, glancing at Patrick. "Patrick, have you calmed down?"
"What did you call me?" Patrick's sharp gaze fixed on Vera.
Vera nodded. "Looks like you have calmed down." At least he was paying attention to how she addressed him.
Since their wedding, Vera had called him by his name only when they were unfamiliar with each other. Later, she called him "husband" or referred to him as "my husband" or "our Patrick" to others.
"Honey, I wasn't upfront with you about Randall at first, and I'm really sorry about that. But I couldn't tell you back then," Vera admitted, feeling a bit wronged. "Randall hadn't made up his mind, and if I told you, I'd be a terrible friend for not keeping his secret. But if I did tell you, who knows what might have happened? That's something I need to work on."
Vera reflected on her actions. "Honey, do you think I'm right?"
Vera, holding Teddy, unknowingly sat next to Patrick.
Patrick turned to see the matching faces of mother and son, though Teddy's was chubbier. "So, are you going to analyze my issues next?"
Vera nodded. "Everyone has flaws and problems. The key is to reflect on them."
"Why didn't you say this downstairs?"
"There were too many people, and I was scared. You had just lost your temper. Who scrubs a hot pan right away? You have to let it cool down first," Vera explained, comparing Patrick to a hot pan and her words to scrubbing it. She didn't speak earlier because she was afraid of getting burned, but now that Patrick had calmed down, the pan had cooled.
Patrick looked at Vera, who was always quick with words and examples.
"Honey, I get why you're upset. You think if Randall doesn't follow your path, his life will be tough. All parents think that way. My folks thought the same when they sent Noah abroad, thinking there were more opportunities and less competition. Your thoughts are just like theirs. You want Randall to take over the company, achieve status, and not have to struggle. You want him to reach the finish line while others are still at the starting point.
I can't say you're wrong, nor can I say Susan's decision was wrong, or that Randall's choice was wrong. You and Susan both love Randall, and Randall loves you and this family. He likes Susan, so he chose against his own wishes.
Do you think I'm right?"
Patrick looked at Vera, who sometimes seemed to understand everything, yet other times gave him a headache.
"Honey, if I were in your shoes, having spent years raising a child, putting in more effort than his parents, expecting him to follow my plan and become my successor, only for him to suddenly change course and start over for his dream, I'd be angry too." Vera looked into Patrick's eyes, the man she loved most, without fear. "So I understand why you're upset tonight. But..."
Patrick watched Vera's mouth, ready for her to point out his faults.
"Patrick, Teddy's too heavy. My arms are sore from holding him," Vera whined.
Patrick, still fuming, was speechless.
Teddy, happily playing with Vera's sweater, suddenly found himself in Patrick's arms, looking confused.
No one paid attention to Teddy.
Patrick looked at Vera and said, "Go on."
"But you're too domineering and have a bad temper. Maybe it's because of your high position, where no one dares to oppose you. If you weren't strong, you couldn't manage the vast Olteran Group. But sometimes, your anger is terrifying. Tonight, you scared Teddy to tears, and you scared me too. Susan didn't dare speak, and Randall never tells you the truth because he's afraid of you.
Let me put it this way, Patrick. I may often scold Randall and Noah, but they're not afraid of me. They play with me and sometimes act mischievously. But they wouldn't dare joke with you or speak up because you're so serious. And because the entire Olteran family relies on you.
At home and work, you're used to being strong, so everyone, including Dad, doesn't joke with you. Only I dare to kiss you on the lips." Now, there's also fearless Teddy who dares to mess with him.
Vera continued, "Patrick, you need to separate home and work. Being strong has its benefits, but it also makes you temperamental. Tonight, you were too harsh on Randall, telling him to leave. This is Randall's home, our home in Cherry Villa."
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