The CEO's Mischievous Little Bride

The sky was getting dark when Cindy handed Vera a glass of juice. "Drink this and go to bed."

Vera wanted to tell Cindy about Randall but hesitated. Cindy usually got upset with Randall, and if she knew he might be in danger, she'd freak out and keep calling him. Too many calls would mess with Randall's work, and if he didn't answer,

she'd worry herself sick.

So, Vera kept quiet. She took the juice. "Thanks, Cindy."

Cindy replied, "Why thank me? We're family."

Vera linked arms with Cindy, smiling. "Just being polite, don't mind me."

Patrick had been busy in the study for over two hours. When he came back, he walked quietly, not wanting to wake Vera.

Vera suddenly spoke from the bed, "Honey, you can turn on the light. I'm not asleep."

Patrick turned on the wall lamp and walked over, seeing Vera rubbing her belly. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Vera sat up. "You just got back. How could I sleep without you here?"

Patrick sat beside her, smoothing her hair. "You're hard to please."

Vera hugged him, pressing her face to his shoulder. "I'm always hard to please, but you make me happy easily."

Patrick whispered, "Lie down first. I'll go take a shower."

"Wait, honey. Come see the surprise I have for you first. If we delay it, our baby will be asleep, and you'll have to wait until tomorrow."

Patrick smiled. "What does the surprise have to do with our baby?"

Vera grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly. "Feel this. Around this time, he moves a lot. He'll stretch out his little feet to communicate with you."

Patrick had heard about fetal movements but never felt them.

He had Vera lie flat and lifted her dress to reveal her round belly.

Patrick placed his hand on her belly, but the baby stopped moving.

They exchanged looks. Wasn't he just moving?

Vera moved Patrick's hand and placed her own on her belly. "Baby, kick." Feeling Vera's warmth, the baby started moving again, causing slight waves. Patrick saw it. When he placed his hand back, the movements stopped again. Patrick was speechless.

Vera called to her belly, "Keep kicking. Daddy's back."

No movement.

Vera murmured, "Baby?"

She looked at Patrick. "Honey, I think he wants to hear you call him 'baby.""

Patrick refused, "I can't say that."

"I understand, but he insists on hearing it. My calling him doesn't work." Vera added, "I not only call him 'baby,' but I also say 'I love you' to get him to move. You have to add 'I love you' at the end, or he won't react." Every time Patrick heard Vera talk about their baby, it felt magical.

Patrick insisted, "You call for me."

Vera shrugged. "He can tell the difference in voices; it won't work."

Patrick pulled his hand back. "Then forget it."

He got up and headed to the bathroom for a shower.

Vera frowned at her belly. "What's wrong with you? We had a deal. If you don't cooperate when Patrick's here, no breastfeeding for you."

The baby moved again.

Vera threatened, "If you don't cooperate later, you'll be stuck with formula. I'll be a hands-off mom. No breast milk for you. Other babies get chubby on breast milk, but you'll be stuck with formula. Patrick's got money; you won't drink him poor."

The baby kept moving.

Vera smiled. "Alright, don't mess up later."

Patrick soon came out of the bathroom. Vera quickly waved him over to try again. She had just talked to their baby, so it should cooperate now.

But when Patrick's hand touched her belly, the baby stopped moving again.

Vera sighed. "When he's born, honey, just let him drink formula."

Patrick said, "Formula's a waste of money. Let him drink water."

Disappointed, Vera lay down, waiting for Patrick to dry his hair and come to bed.

Patrick seemed to be Vera's mobile pillow. Before he could reach out, Vera instinctively snuggled into his arms.

Vera pouted, "Honey, forget about the baby. It is enough for you to have me."

"Okay." Patrick kissed her lightly.

With Patrick by her side, Vera quickly fell asleep.

Once he was sure Vera was asleep, Patrick placed a large hand on her belly, thinking, 'Baby?'

Instantly, a gentle ripple appeared as the baby kicked back and forth several times.

Patrick smiled.

A man shouldn't compromise in front of a woman.

Before sleeping, Patrick got up again, kissed Vera, and looked at her affectionately for a while.

The next day, Patrick was already dressed and ready for work before Vera woke up. He sat by the bed, not wanting to wake her.

He got up and called Randall. Randall seemed groggy, woken up by the call.

Patrick asked, "What time did you sleep last night?"

"Two in the morning. I searched all the casinos but didn't find him. None of their acquaintances saw them either." Now fully awake, Randall said, "I'll go to his house again." Patrick couldn't directly express his concern, but his reminders were filled with care. "Don't forget to have breakfast."

"Okay."

Randall hung up, threw off the covers, and went to the bathroom to wash up.

Then he went to the dining room for breakfast and headed out.

Vera woke up at nine. It was normal not to find Patrick in the room. She called Molly to ask about Sebastian.

"My family wants me to work for a $4,000 salary instead of taking care of Sebastian. How is money more important than Sebastian?" Molly yelled in the office.

Vera said, "Maybe Sebastian doesn't need you around. If you go, he might have to take care of you, so it'd be easier for you to go to work."

Molly said proudly, "Who says that? I fed Sebastian last night."

Vera asked, "Did Sebastian refuse?"

"Does it matter if he refused?"

"Now I know why they all want you to go to work."