Page 76 of Come to Me

Finally, she pulled away. “I think I need to go.”

His brow furrowed. “What? Why? Not because of her.”

Her heart was shattering again after only just melding back together. “I care for you Patrick, I really do?—”

“Then stay.”

“You know I can’t. And you can’t come with me. Our lives, our worlds, our duties, they're just too different."

The same frustration and pain she felt shone in his eyes. She ached to take him in her arms, to soothe away the turmoil they both felt. Finally, he shook his head, and understanding, resolve filled his expression. He knew as she did that a future together was impractical.

They stood there, suspended in a moment of utter anguish. But as much as it pained her, she also knew that it was the only way forward, for both of them.

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."

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