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?”

him, he was already

forced to deal with the

weird reading material even if he begs you for them. If my darling

back

his walk back. His heart, too,

been spending every waking hour of the past couple of years trying to save him. They spoiled him even more than they spoiled their daughter

both their distinguished families, he and Gwendolyn had so many obligations

that day that he realized he had been so occupied with Benedict’s

more he thought about it,

Cedrick found himself back

that Benedict was in bed. The IV drip hanging above

outside the window. His frail, pale face

“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

a prickling

the bed and smiled at his son. “Are you worried that I would be annoyed, Benny?” he

looking sorrowful. “I’ve been sick since

solemnly. “That doesn’t mean you’re not normal, Benny. Besides, I will never find

arms, enveloping the boy

yourself and laugh out loud in front of me 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

nestled his head against Cedrick’s chest. “Making a scene and throwing a tantrum sounds like something Zendy

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

up at him, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “Why do you want me to cry so much, Daddy?

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

guilt he had just felt for his child

your mother does. She always pulls that tactic when she wants to apologize to me, which

wide,