Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law
Chapter 189: I Am Back

Chapter 189: I Am Back

"Sir. There is a gentleman here to see you."

Robert Collins looked up from his phone, where he had been anxiously waiting for any updates on the missing boy. His thoughts, heavy and spiraling, were interrupted by the calm voice of his secretary.

He frowned, lifting his gaze with a trace of irritation, wondering who could have arrived with enough weight or urgency to make his staff risk disturbing him. "Who is it?"

"Sir, the man claims that he is your son."

That had Sir Roberts look up and stare at his assistant," What did you say?"

The man gulped and said," Sir, the man claims that his name is Patrick Collins."

He shot up to his feet in that instant, causing his chair to scrape sharply against the floor. His voice rang with urgency. "Bring him in. Now."

The secretary nodded and disappeared through the double doors, leaving Robert Collins staring intently at the entrance, heart pounding. Seconds ticked by like hours, each one tightening the knot in his chest as he almost rushed around his desk to go out and see for himself.

Then the door opened again—and in stepped a middle-aged man, dressed in a sharp, dark suit, his hair slightly graying at the temples, eyes steady and unreadable.

Robert’s breath caught. He hadn’t seen that face for so long but it felt it was only yesterday when his son had bid goodbye to him.

"Patrick..." he whispered.

Without hesitation, he crossed the room and pulled his son into a hug. The man stiffened for a heartbeat, then slowly raised his arms to return the embrace as he patted the old man on his back.

"It’s been too long," Patrick murmured and then stepped back to look at the older man," You’ve got more grey hair now. How are you, Father?"

Robert pulled back just enough to look him in the eye and then grinned, "I’m... I’m doing well now. But I’ll be better—now that you’re here. Now that my son has returned home."

Emotion thickened his voice, and he gripped Patrick’s shoulder as if afraid he’d disappear again.

Then, quieter, he asked, Have you forgiven me, Patrick? For how I wronged you, all those years ago? Everyday I thought about what would have happened if I had let you divorce Spencer’s mother..."

Patrick gave a small, wistful smile. "Let’s not dwell on the past, Father. Let bygones be bygones. I heard you’ve sent her away."

Robert nodded, swallowed down the rising emotion and nodded, "Yes. I did. Now. Come, tell me. How have you been? Where have you been all these years."

Patrick exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting toward the window as if collecting thoughts from the horizon as he gave him a sad smile," I wandered, at first, kind of lost and angry at you. Imagine an old man like me being angry and feeling rebellious towards is father. But I was. She was the only one I loved and so I asked you to spare her. But you couldn’t..."

"Anyway, I didn’t know where to go. My sense of betrayal... it was too strong. I couldn’t understand how my own father could choose an outsider over me."

Sir Robert winced inwardly, a pang of guilt tightening in his chest like a vice. He looked away for a beat and sighed. He’d always known that his son was not happy in the marriage and had persevered all these years only because of Spencer. But he had never guessed that Patrick would fall for someone else. And that someone would be a pawn in his game. If he had known... he would definitely have spared her.

By the time Patrick had come to him, and begged him, it had been too late. And so, Patrick had left him, disappearing from their lives as if he never existed. There were times when Robert had thought to look for him but he’d always let it be.

In this life, if he had ever truly been sincere towards anyone was this boy- Patrick. His son had always loved him and trusted him without asking for anything in return... until that fateful day.

Robert felt his eyes tear up as Patrick continued telling him about how he had wondered from place to place, hoping to find peace and not having it.

Eventually, I found myself near a quiet village in the north—no one knew me there. I bought a small cabin near the woods. Haven’t left much since."

Robert studied his son’s face, searching for bitterness but finding only weariness.

"I came back once," Patrick added after a pause. "For Mother’s funeral. I stood at the back. Watched from afar. I didn’t speak to anyone. Not even you."

Sir Robert’s eyes flickered with pain. "I didn’t know," he whispered.

"You weren’t meant to," Patrick said simply, then looked at him. "I wasn’t ready."

Robert nodded slowly, giving him a small, sad smile. "And now? Are you ready to return to your father’s side?"

Patrick’s lips twitched faintly. "Now? I’m not sure. I don’t know what brought me here. Maybe it is knowing that you have finally decided to let that vile woman go so I wanted to see how you were doing."

Robert smiled then. Patrick had always been a clear soul full of love for him. Now that Spencer’s mother had been sent away, his son had returned to his side with a clear heart! What more could he ask for?

He patted Patrick’s hand and said slowly," Every day. Every day, Patricl. Not a single day passed where I didn’t regret it. Not a day I didn’t wish I could take it back and let you be with the woman you loved and who made you happy."

Patrcik gave him a sad smile then and murmured,"I know, father. I know how much you have always loved me."

Before the father and son could talk more, the door to the office burst open and Spencer stepped in, anger written all over his face as he stomped in," Spencer! What are you doing here?"

"You’re asking me, grandfather? I should be asking you what this man is doing here?"