The Ex and Her Riches

Eugene was unperturbed. “His personality, surroundings, experiences, and the pain he’s facing in his young life have already determined who he will be. How can a journal influence any of that?”

Cedrick heard the implicit meaning behind those words. He clenched his fist beneath the sleeve of his military uniform, not deigning to respond.

“A person is known by the company he keeps,” Joshua argued. “Besides, a child is born a blank canvas. If he takes an interest in the things you show him and makes irreparable mistakes because of it, you will cause him harm.”

Eugene scoffed incredulously at Joshua’s accusation.

Cedrick, however, froze at what Joshua said about irreparable mistakes.

He recalled what he had heard in the ward and how certain Benedict had sounded in his childish voice.

“Even if you and Mommy are not mad at him, I’ll teach him a lesson in the future. Getting rid of someone means they won’t be around anymore, right? I just don’t want to see him. I want him to disappear.”

Benedict doesn’t like Charles. He hates him.

He wasn’t joking.

Cedrick felt anxious all of a sudden. He realized he did not know who his five-year-son was anymore.

The more he thought about it, the greater the pain he felt in his heart.

“I’m going back to the ward. I’ll leave this to you.”

Without another word, he turned around and swiftly left.

“Huh? Cedrick?”

called out to him, he was already

forced to deal with

weird reading material even if

strode back

His heart, too, was filled with a complicated mix

couple of years

helm of both their distinguished families, he and Gwendolyn had so many obligations that there

that he realized he had been so occupied with Benedict’s physical condition that he had neglected his psychological

he thought about it, the more uneasy he

Cedrick found himself back at

pushed open the door and saw that Benedict was in bed. The

and staring at the foliage outside the window.

pushed open. When he saw Cedrick, he smiled. “Daddy, you’re back.” Then, he looked up at the drip. “The professor who came to change my medication said there’s only one bottle left for today. You can go deal with work first if you’re busy, Daddy. There’s no need to rush over to spend time with me. I’m already five years old, and I don’t need you

a prickling sensation in

bed and smiled at his son. “Are you worried that I would be

“I’ve been sick since I was born. I’m not

took a deep breath, suppressing the heavy feeling in his heart. “Everybody falls ill,” he said solemnly. “That doesn’t mean you’re not normal, Benny. Besides, I will never find

his arms, enveloping the boy in a

and Mommy, Benny. You can cry if you’re sad, make a scene, and throw a tantrum. You shouldn’t have to pretend and be serious like an adult. Mommy and I will never abandon you. Even if you never get

chest. “Making a scene and throwing a tantrum sounds

have the right to express how they feel, too,” Cedrick said. “You can cry in front of me, Benny.

to cry so much, Daddy? Do you cry in front of Mommy to gain

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

guilt he had just felt for his child disappeared completely

time before correcting his son, “Says who? I’ve never shed a tear to gain sympathy. That’s what your mother

gave a wide, innocent