Chapter 758 The Tragic Child
Randall just couldn't wrap his head around Susan's choices. "You're about to head home soon, and instead of spending time with your boyfriend, you're hanging out with that chubby kid who never stops talking."
Right then, the little guy was in the living room, playing with a floating ball, tugging at a toy duck, and occasionally sharing his toys with Susan, chatting away.
"Hang tight, I'll come get you."
In life, the moments we wait for often don't go as planned. The real connections usually happen out of the blue, when no one expects them.
Patrick left work early and was planning his evening on the drive home.
Randall's car was parked near Cherry Villa. He called Susan from inside, "Come out, I'm waiting at the door."
From a distance, Patrick noticed the familiar license plate and slowed down as he got closer.
Randall, glancing in his rearview mirror, saw the approaching car and felt his palms start to sweat with nervousness.
Soon, Patrick's car pulled up next to Randall's black sedan.
The uncle and nephew hadn't seen each other for over a month. Patrick had hoped to run into him at Vera's school, but had no luck. When he asked the staff at the Olteran family home, they confirmed Randall hadn't been back. Unexpectedly, he now saw Randall right at his doorstep.
Seeing Patrick, Randall felt an inexplicable tension from his uncle's imposing presence.
With only a seat's width between their cars, Randall's door was blocked by Patrick's passenger door, preventing him from getting out. "You're off work?"
"Found a job?" Patrick's gaze remained fixed ahead, his tone cold and devoid of warmth.
Randall was silent for a few seconds, then nodded. "Assistant engineer."
Patrick didn't care for Randall's explanation, still looking straight ahead without glancing at him. "You chose this path, don't forget what you said."
Randall meekly nodded.
With that, Patrick stepped on the gas and drove past Randall's car. "The Dark Web is still looking for you."
Patrick's car sped away, heading to the house where the security guard promptly opened the gate.
Just then, Susan, with her backpack on, saw Patrick. "Uncle Patrick?"
After calling out, she remembered Randall outside and quickly ran out.
Vera was also surprised to see Patrick home early. "Why are you back so soon today?"
"Taking Teddy for his vaccination."
Teddy immediately pretended to sleep in Vera's arms.
Patrick was speechless.
Vera looked down at Teddy, equally speechless. "Go ahead and pretend, but you're getting the shot tomorrow morning anyway."
Susan, sweating from her run, jumped into Randall's car. "Randall, did you see Uncle Patrick?"
"Yeah."
Randall started the car and turned around to leave.
Susan asked nervously, "Did Uncle Patrick scold you again?"
"Does Patrick have nothing better to do than scold people every day?"
Susan bit her lip. "So, what did you and Uncle Patrick talk about?"
"Just confirmed my job, that's all."
Hearing this, Susan was thrilled and grabbed Randall's arm excitedly. "Really, Randall? You found a job?"
Randall nodded, though he didn't seem very happy. "The salary barely covers the car loan and living expenses. I'm planning to rent a place."
Without the car loan, Randall's life would be much easier.
Susan naively asked, "Randall, can't we sell the car?" That way, Randall's financial pressure would be greatly reduced, and they'd have more money.
Randall sighed. "Come on, Susan. You're not a freshman anymore. You'll be a sophomore soon. Stop being silly, okay?"
Susan pouted, unsure of what she had done wrong this time. She was too scared to ask.
"Sell the car, and I'll walk you home on foot?"
Susan fell silent, not wanting to discuss her departure.
"I start my job next week. Think about when you want to leave in the next few days. I'll take you home before I start, so I can have peace of mind."
Susan remained silent.
Randall knew Susan was sulking again but didn't lose his temper.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Nothing."
"Where do you want to go?"
"Nowhere." Susan's sulking had a hint of playful pouting.
Randall pulled over and turned to look at Susan, who had her back to him. "You're really giving me attitude now."
"I just don't want to leave you." Susan pouted.
Randall complained, "Why are you so obsessed with this relationship?"
Susan mumbled softly, "I don't even feel like we're in a relationship, so how can I be obsessed?"
Randall replied, "Mumble any quieter, and I can still hear you."
Susan felt embarrassed.
Randall said, "I'm with you to take care of you, not for you to take care of me like a mom. I'm older than you, so I should be the one taking care of you. Stop thinking about sacrificing for me and moving out with me. I said I'd pick you up from the Olteran family, and I will. Just be patient. It's hard to communicate with an eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl."
Susan retorted, "Randall, don't look down on me. I'll be twenty next year."
"So what if you're twenty? I'm still older than you. Since I'm older, you have to listen to me."
Susan felt defeated by the age argument and couldn't find a comeback.
"Randall, why don't you argue with Uncle Patrick instead? You only pick on me because I'm easy to bully."
Randall was speechless.
Back at home, Patrick gently placed the now genuinely sleeping Teddy back in his stroller.
"After the vaccination tomorrow morning, we'll have lunch with Dad at home. I'll go to the office for a meeting in the afternoon, and you and the baby can wait for me at home. I'll pick you up at five, and we'll head out."
Patrick planned.
Vera said, "I haven't told Noah we're visiting. It'll be a surprise."
She could already imagine her brother's joy when he saw their family of three.
Patrick smiled faintly.
"Patrick, did you see Randall earlier?"
Patrick replied, "The company still hasn't found a suitable secretary general..."
"Do you want some watermelon?" Vera cleverly changed the subject.
Patrick smiled smugly. "No, thanks."
"I'll have some. Patrick, I've weaned, given birth, and my period cramps are gone. Can we stock up on ice cream at home?"
Patrick replied, "Even if I don't stock up, will it stop you from eating less?"
Vera was silent for a few seconds, then sheepishly hugged the frozen watermelon and walked away.
The next morning, the couple took Teddy to the hospital.
Listening to the other kids crying around them, adorable Teddy looked around at the crying children, seemingly finding it oddly familiar.
Soon, his own cries echoed through the room.
With his shoulder exposed and Patrick holding him down for the shot, Teddy's mouth opened as wide as it could in protest.
Vera marked a "√" in her phone's record next to the latest vaccine and told Teddy, "One less shot to go, Teddy. Congratulations, only nineteen more to go."
Teddy's cries grew louder and more pitiful.
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