The Cherished Wife

"Brandon, stop!" Tania cut him off, her voice tinged with hesitation. "Listen to me. You're not well enough to go to the amusement park.'

"But I wanna go!" Brandon's bottom lip quivered, and his eyes brimmed with tears.

"Why make the kid cry? If he wants to go, we should just go," Peter said, his heart sinking at the sight of Brandon's tears. He walked over and gently took Brandon's hand. "How about I take you tomorrow, champ?"

"Really? Yay!" Brandon's tears vanished, replaced by a beaming smile. "I wanna go with you. You're the best!"

"However, ..." Tania bit her lip, worry creasing her brow. "Brandon, he..."

"Tania, relax. We'll all be there to keep an eye on him," Noelle chimed in, sensing Tania's anxiety. "Is something wrong with Brandon?"

"No, nothing at all!" Tania quickly shook her head, trying to dismiss her concerns. "Weren't we going to go to the mall?"

replied with a grin. "Peter, my car's

sure he was secure. Noticing Brandon's wide-eyed wonder, he playfully pinched his cheek. "Why doesn't Mommy want you to go to the amusement

and his voice was shaky. "There are bad

at Brandon, he softened a bit. "Don't worry, kiddo. I've

Lareal. "Mr. Lennon, I've emailed you Trevon's file. He's been globe-trotting for years, with lots of trips to Carvonia. He's married, but it looks

clenched the steering wheel tighter, his gaze sharp.

digging for more, Mr. Lennon. What are your

"Keep digging."

had been in Brookville four years ago, and Tania left Brookville just three years and seven months ago. That could not

Peter and Brandon went to get the car, Noelle stood with Tania at the hospital entrance. Tania could not seem to take her eyes off the direction Peter had ne gone Noelle tried to comfort her. "Tania, chill. Peter's