Page 76 of Love In Translation

“What do you mean, you knew about the viral video, me losing my job, and my six months living in your house, Paddy?” she demanded, noticing staff members were filtering into the meeting room.

“I have alerts on my phone to tell me whenever anything happens at the UN, like a terrorist attack or a bomb threat,” Paddy explained. Rheo worked in one of the most secure buildings in the world, but Paddy was worried something would happen to her. “I got numerous alerts about the video and was curious to see what all the fuss was about. I recognized your voice instantly.”

Was there anyone who didn’t know she was the translator on the viral video? Maybe some horse trader in Mongolia?

Paddy sipped from her glass, and despite her relaxed stance, Rheo knew she was borderline pissed. Paddy didn’t like being left out of the loop.

“I made a mistake,” Rheo hurriedly explained. “People do make mistakes, Grandmother.”

“You don’t, Rheo!”

Rheo sucked in a harsh breath. “That’s not fair, Paddy. You’re putting a hell of a lot of pressure on me. You always have.” Rheo pushed her finger and thumb into her eye sockets.

Was she being fair? Probably not. She’dchosento be like Paddy. “I’m allowed to fail, Paddy!”

Paddy drained her G-and-T and slammed the glass on the side table next to her lounger. She released a loud sigh. “Of course you are. Failure is a part of life.”

Wait! What? “That isn’t something you’ve told me before.”

“Maybe I’m upset because I’m used to you doing everything perfectly. And because I like knowing I don’t have to worry about you. I never had to sort you out or run to your rescue. Nobody in this family realizes how much thinking and worrying I do on their behalf.”

Paddy was being more dramatic than usual. But since she wasn’t yelling or screaming, Rheo would take the win. It was also a good time to go on the offensive.

“While we’re talking about sorting things out, you need to resolve the situation between you and my dad,” she told Paddy.

Paddy sighed, and she dropped her gaze. Was she embarrassed? Rheo didn’t know—she’d never seen Paddy blush before.

“For a few months after our argument, I was convinced he’d been disrespectful by speaking to me about my will. I was furious when he wouldn’t apologize. Ed never takes responsibility for his actions, never admits he’s wrong.”

“He learned that from you,” Rheo cheekily stated. She’d never spoken to Paddy like this, frankly and openly. She finally felt like an adult. Sort of.

Paddy picked up her empty glass and rested it against her cheek. For the first time, she looked old and a little frail. “I was sick when your father phoned me. I had the flu and I wasn’t myself. Between the meds I was taking, the lack of sleep from coughing, and my high temperatures, I got our conversation wrong.”

Wow.“Why didn’t you tell him that?”

“I’ve called myself an idiot, and I know I’m too proud,” Paddy reluctantly admitted. “I couldn’t find a way to say sorry.”

“You pick up the phone, admit you got it wrong, and say sorry,” Rheo told her, not bothering to hide her frustration. Because there had been so much hurt, too much arrogance, and too little understanding—and no communication!—her voice rose. “This isn’t rocket science, Paddy!”

Then she recalled where she was. She checked that the door was closed and her microphone was switched off. See? She could learn from her mistakes. “You admit what you’ve done and ask for forgiveness.”

“And is that so easy to do, Rheo? Obviously not, because it’s taken you six months to tell me you’ve been living rent-free in the Pink House.”

Her words were an excellent counterargument. Rheo didn’t have a leg to stand on, so she told Paddy she’d pay her whatever rent she thought was fair. It would bite into her savings, but it was the right thing to do. She was an adult, and she paid her way.

Paddy waved her words away. “Pride is a hell of a thing, my dear, and it always,alwayscomes before a fall. You failed and so did I,” Paddy quietly stated. “We learn from it and go on. I could make you pay rent for living in my house without my permission—”

“How did you find out, by the way?” Rheo interrupted her.

“Darling, I ruled the town for years,” Paddy responded with her confident drawl. “Nobody sneezes without me knowing about it. I received emails and text messages ten minutes after you arrived.”

Right. She should’ve known she wouldn’t get away with it, even if the townhadchanged.

“I thought about confronting you, but after getting it wrong with your father, I didn’t want to be estranged from another, and my most beloved, family member. I kept hoping you’d tell me yourself.”

Rheo closed her eyes, her anger fading away. “I felt like such a failure, not sure what I was going to do, or even if I’d be able to return to work. I was a leaf caught in a tornado.”

Paddy’s self-deprecating smile was full of wisdom. “Maybe the lesson we both have to learn is that we are allowed to get things wrong and that failure is a part of life and a way for us to grow.”

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