Chapter 23

Letting Michaela walk away was all sorts of wrong, but Patrick didn't know how to stop it. Especially when asking her to stay would mean asking her to put up with his mother's disapproval. He couldn't ask her to endure that.

Patrick spent the next several days coming to terms with Michaela"s perspective on life and his own path. The acceptance that their worlds were too different to truly align wasn't easy. In fact, it was impossible, so he did the only thing he could. He threw himself into the role he'd been raised to take, running the family company. But that didn't mean he was going to completely sacrifice all of himself. He had his own ideas. His own plans. Patrick began to explore ways he could improve mental health treatment within the organization. It was a personal mission, fueled by the memories of his sister"s ongoing struggle.

Pouring over research and proposals, Patrick continued his passion to integrate therapy and personalized support programs alongside the traditional pharmaceutical approach. He wanted to offer a more holistic solution for those grappling with mental illness – something his own family sorely needed. Perhaps it would include nature retreats. He knew the perfect spot.

The work provided a sliver of purpose, a way for Patrick to honor the pain of the past while shaping a better future. Though he still ached for the carefree days at Kincaid Lake, for a life with Michaela, he focused his energy here, where he could make a difference.

The most challenging times were evenings alone in his apartment. Michaela had been there such a short time, but her essence lingered. He savored and cursed it all at once.

He heated leftover take out in the microwave and planned to watch a ball game, when a knock on the door interrupted him. He opened the door to Syndey.

"I thought you were back in Virginia," he said by way of greeting. Hadn't she been the one to fly her home?

Sydney fixed him with a direct gaze. "I"ve come back up to visit my parents. At least that's my excuse. I'm actually here to give you a proper tongue lashing."

He smirked. "You sound more southern all the time." He let her in.

"I'm not joking."

He tensed, sensing the seriousness in her tone. "Okay."

"It's about Micki. You"re a fool to have let her go."

Patrick opened his mouth to defend his actions, but Sydney held up a hand, cutting him off.

"I know, I know. Family duty. Good God, Patrick. What have they done for you to deserve your sacrificing your own happiness? Or is that an excuse? Are you too afraid to love?"

Pain lanced through Patrick. Angry words sat on the end of his tongue. Instead, he went to his kitchen grabbing the bottle of scotch.

"Good idea," she said following him. "Drink your life away."

"Not everyone gets what they want," he snapped, pouring the liquid in a glass and chugging it down. He didn't bother to offer her any.

"Most people at least try." She glared at him with her hands on her hips.

"I have responsibilities, obligations?—"

"God, you're a broken record. When have they ever truly supported you, Patrick? When have they ever put your needs first?"

Patrick fell silent, unable to refute her words. Instead, he poured another drink.

"The smartest thing I ever did was go to Virginia to find Mitch. To reach out for love. Are you really going to throw that away? For what? Guilt? Guilt that you shouldn"t even be carrying in the first place."

"I failed Julia. You and I both know that."

"First, you didn't. Second, even if you did, you shouldn't be suffering a life sentence. She's a grown woman. She made the choices she made."

He shrugged.

"How is burying yourself in this family business going to change what happened?" Sydney challenged. "How is that going to heal the guilt you feel?"

Patrick had no answer.

Sydney"s gaze softened slightly. "Your family only supports you when it suits them." She paused for a moment. "Micki feels the same, but do you know what's different? Her parents love her. They told her to leave the resort. They told her she didn't have to feel obligated to continue it after them. They want her to be happy wherever that may be."

"What's your point?"

"Wouldn't you rather have them as a family?"

It occurred to him that if Michaela didn't have the sense of duty to her parents anymore and was encouraged to explore a different life, she could have chosen a life with him, but she didn't.

"She left me, Syd."

She rolled her eyes. "Why would she stay? Not after your mother and you failing to tell her how you felt or asking her to stay."

He downed his drink and went to the window. He didn't have the emotional bandwidth to deal with this.

She put her hand on his shoulder. "Think about what you"re giving up. Think about the happiness you"re denying yourself. You deserve love and support. I know Micki wants to give it to you."

At work the next day,Patrick was haunted by Sydney"s words. His attention divided over his choices and their implications for his happiness and sense of self. He recognized that the only time he was truly happy was with Michaela, who challenged him but accepted him as he was. She didn"t ask anything of him. Contrasted with his sister and parents, who only made demands, but never gave back and didn"t seem to care about what he wanted.

"What's this I'm hearing about a new project?"

Speak of the devil. Patrick looked up from the papers he was supposed to be reviewing to watch his parents enter the office. He steeled himself as his parents approached, knowing this conversation would not be easy.

"Just a new project."

His mother"s brow furrowed. "A project? What sort of project?"

"I'm looking at how we can offer support or programming integrating medicinal treatment with mental health services."

His father"s expression darkened. "Mental health services? Patrick, this is a pharmaceutical business, not a therapy clinic." It was exactly the same as Dak's response.

"I understand that, but I believe we have a responsibility to provide a more comprehensive approach to wellness. Too often, the focus is solely on prescription medications, without addressing the deeper emotional and psychological needs. Pills aren't magic and shouldn't be used as such. True mental health?—"

"It's not our job."

"And who, is going to pay for all these additional services?" his mother cut in. "Our shareholders expect a return on their investment, not some pet project of yours."

"I"ve done the research," Patrick pressed on. "Do you know how pharmaceutical companies are viewed?"

"They like our product well enough," his father said.

"Improving our reputation can help the bottom line. It also serves the stated mission of the company, which interestingly isn't ‘Greed is Good.'" He quoted Gordon Gekko. "It's to improve the health and wellbeing of patients through high quality, safe, and effective pharmaceutical products AND services.'"

His parents exchanged a skeptical look.

"You're getting ahead of yourself," his mother said condescendingly. "You"ve only just officially joined the company. Perhaps you should focus on learning the ropes before trying to implement such... radical changes."

Frustration mounted. He rolled his shoulders knowing showing irritation would only cause his parents to dismiss him. "This isn"t just some passing fancy. I truly believe this could make a difference in people"s lives."

"And we believe your time would be better spent learning the business," his father cut in. "We know you have a misguided sense of guilt toward your sister, but this won't change anything for her. You need to focus on the job you've been brought into do. As soon as my doctor clears me, I'll be in, and we'll work side by side."

Patrick"s jaw tightened. "This has nothing to do with Julia. This is about doing what"s right, what"s ethical."

His father straightened his tie and fixed him with a stern gaze. "I'll tell you what. We can discuss this at the next board meeting. In the meantime, focus on your duties here. That"s where your priorities should lie."

Patrick stared at his parents for a long moment. His mother tilted her chin, as if she was waiting for him to acquiesce.

Not this time. He was already giving up too much. He wouldn't give up this.

"No."

"What?" His parents said at the same time, both their brows rising.

"I said no. Presumably, I'm here more than just because I'm your son. You must think I have some talent or skill I can bring to the table. If I'm to take over one day, I need to be a leader, not a follower. So, no. I'm going to continue this project."

"I didn't say you couldn't pursue it, just not now."

"No."

"It's that woman's influence." His mother's face contorted into distaste.

"Stop now, Mother."

She flinched, probably from his warning tone.

"It doesn't matter. I'm still in charge." His father stepped forward. "You'll do as I say."

For so long, Patrick lived his life trying to appease his parents. As he stood in front of them, once again being dismissed and ordered around, a strange sense of clarity came over him.

He picked up his suit coat and put it on.

"What are you doing?" his mother asked as he shut the lap top.

"I'm quitting." The words freed him. "I"m not going to waste my time trying to convince you of the value of my work. You want it your way, have at it. I'm done."

His parents stared at him, stunned by his outburst.

"Patrick, you can"t be serious." His mother's tone was the first time he'd ever heard a note of panic. "This is your legacy, your responsibility."

"No, it"s not. It's not my job to live your life. It's time I live my own." He started to the door.

"Where are you going?" his father demanded.

"To live, laugh, love." He couldn't remember where he'd seen that. It was likely a saying hanging somewhere at Kincaid Lake.

"Oh God, you're going to that woman." His mother's expression was horrified.

"Most parents would be happy I found love. Why aren't you?" Immediately he waved his hand. "Never mind. It doesn't matter." He strode out of the office, leaving his parents speechless in his wake.

Patrick felt a surge of adrenaline rode the elevator down, his heart pounding with a mix of relief and trepidation. For years, he had dutifully followed the path laid out for him, never truly questioning whether it was the right one. But now, letting that sense of duty go, he felt a profound sense of liberation. As he stepped out onto the bustling city streets, Patrick paused, taking a deep breath. He smiled, realizing that for the first time he was in control of his own destiny.

His steps quickened as he made his way through the crowded sidewalks, his mind racing with thoughts of the future. He wasn't thinking of his sister"s struggles or his parents" disappointment, but of Michaela and the life he had glimpsed at Kincaid Lake.

The memory of her vibrant spirit, her infectious joy, and the way she had so effortlessly drawn him out of his shell, stirred a longing within him. With renewed purpose, Patrick climbed into the back seat of the car, telling his driver to take him to the airport.

How would Michaela respond when he showed up? Would she still think their worlds were too different?

Then there was the fact that he didn't know what would do for a living. He figured he had the flight and drive to Kincaid Lake to figure that out. What was most important was showing Michaela that he wanted to give her his heart. The only question was, would Michaela want it?