Responses
Since it is a flash back (I really hope that) he is probably remembering that promise and thus he's not going to bother so much anymore... (dunno maybe the way he's son is acting makes him remember of her dear)
This is just me hoping for the best, don't mind it...
I hope you are right.
"Understood" my ass !
-"I hope he can be what he hopes to be."
-"Understood. I'll control every last bit of his life so he can never decide what he want himself and instead fulfill my hopes of unreachable perfection for him."
-"... Isn't that the exact opposite of what I-"
-"Hush dear. You're dead."