Never Judge

"Nice joke Ram." Veronica said with a laugh. "How can you be adopted? The elders would never let someone who's adopted inherit Lights Entertainment. We both know that they are painfully traditional and very strict about someone of the blood always owning the family businesses." Veronica said with a scof, she knew how much their family valued an Abad always being at the helm of their companies. 

"They allowed it because of how good your brother is, and also because of the connections he brings with him." James explained to his daughter. Ram's business prowess and friendship with the four other princes gave them the advantage to convince everyone that Ram should be allowed to be named as the heir of the Abad family in spite of being adopted. "Veronica, we never wanted to take anything away from you." 

"Dear, we were married for so long and we couldn't have a child for a while." Victoria Abad explained to her daughter. Victoria and James were married young, they were both still in university when they were married. At first Victoria wanted to delay their marriage till after she finished her studies, but their families wanted to be assured that the wedding, and the attached business partnership would fall through. So at nineteen, Victoria and James got married and started living together at the Abad family home. "You know that your father and I married early, and the elders pressured us for a child after being married for over three years. Science wasn't as good back then, they said I wouldn't be able to have a child. So your father and I decided to adopt."

"How old was my older brother when you adopted him?" Veronica hesitantly asked.

"He wasn't even one yet. He was the most adorable little boy. When we met him, we were sure that we wanted to keep him in our lives forever." Victoria said as she smiled towards her son's direction.

"And the timing and his age was perfect, he would have friends to play with since our friends just had children of their own as well." James added to his wife's story.

"Didn't the family object to your choice of adopting?" Veronica knew that in the Abad family you couldn't do anything major without first seeking permission from the family elders. They often used money and influence to scare the younger generation into submission. This was the main reason Veronica felt the desire to leave. She didn't care for the money, but it was the family's influence that she feared, even if she could let someone into her heart, if her family didn't approve of that person they would not stop trying to break them up.

"After finding out that I couldn't have a child we left the country for over a year to help me recover emotionally." Victoria Abad explained. "Of course our friends visited us, it was them that helped us decide to adopt your brother." 

"But when you came years after, we were so happy Veronica." James added. "We already loved your older brother so much and when we found out that we were going to have a little princess as well, we were over the moon with joy."

"Veronica, are you mad that I took your birthright away?" Ram asked, his voice full of hesitation and worry.

"Are you stupid? I've never wanted to run Lights Entertainment or Abad Network." Veronica scolded Ram. "And besides, no matter what you say, you are still my older brother. Adopted or not we are siblings and I'll always love you." 

Ram looked up and smiled at his sister and hugged her tight. "I'm sorry you were forced into an arranged marriage to protect me."

"Miguel isn't that bad. He loves me." Veronica confessed to her brother and parents. "Maybe I can learn to love him too, eventually." 

"Miguel will wait for the rest of his life if he has to. And he will be more than happy to do so." Ram said with a laugh.

"You've kept this secret for so long, why tell me now?" Veronica asked her parents.

"We hoped that it wouldn't matter that Ram was adopted since he brought so much to the Abad family, but it seems it's not enough." James Abad said with a sigh. "Your grandparents want him engaged to Calathea Carpio. We've told them time and again that that woman is not in her right mind, but they refuse. The Carpios are still a very rich and powerful family."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Veronica asked her father.

"Come home, or at least show people that you are really an Abad." Ram told his sister. He already knew what his dad wanted, and Veronica was more likely to say yes if he was the one who asked.

"Ram, what does my being an Abad have anything to do with pleasing our grandparents and great uncles and aunts?" Veronica asked, sceptical if her return could do anything to make an impact.

"Veronica, it will do so much for your brother. The more it seems that you made a great match, the less likely they will go after him. Also if people talk about you more, our influence will also be stronger." James explained.

"Dad, I married Miguel Chan. The only way I could have married better is if I married Ray or Cedric. And that's never going to happen." As Veronica said this she laughed a little. 

"Please, Veronica. Let's take baby steps on this." Victoria Abad pleaded with her daughter.

"If you think it will help Ram then I don't mind." Veronica shrugged. "But I think, brother, you should start dating again. Maybe being spotted with a daughter of a powerful family will help."

"I have someone in mind." Ram said with a nod. "For the meantime I've asked Katerina's help. Eric is going to hate me but at least it will gain us some time."

"Won't they be bothered with all the rumors surrounding Katerina?" Veronica asked her parents, she knew that their relatives were incredibly sensitive when it came to the family image.

"She's the president's daughter and an ace attorney. All those rumors won't matter to them. Just being connected to the Sebastian family, and by extension the Laurence family who are their cousins, the elders wouldn't be able to complain." James told his daughter. 

Veronica thought and paused for a bit, with her making enough noise and the elders thinking that Ram was dating Katerina, it should help drive them away for a bit, at least till they start pressuring Ram to get married. 

"I think Katerina would agree to this plan." Veronica knew that her friend was looking for a way to get people to forget about the rumors about her private life.

"I'll talk to her." Ram said with a nod.