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 out of sight and

to deal with

you will not give Benny any more weird reading material even if he begs you for them. If my darling nephew grows up messed up, I won’t ever forgive

strode back to

was a mess during his walk back. His heart, too, was filled with

and Gwendolyn owed Benedict. They had been spending every waking hour of the past couple of years

distinguished families, he and Gwendolyn had so many obligations that

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

he thought about it, the

himself back

Benedict was in bed. The IV drip hanging above him had not yet been

at the foliage outside the window. His frail,

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

words gave Cedrick a prickling sensation in

on the side of the bed and smiled at his son. “Are you worried that I

sorrowful. “I’ve been sick since I

he said solemnly. “That doesn’t mean you’re not normal, Benny. Besides, I will never find you annoying, and I’ll always

his arms, enveloping the boy in a father’s

make a scene, and throw a tantrum. You shouldn’t have to pretend

embrace, Benedict nestled his head against Cedrick’s chest. “Making a scene and throwing a tantrum

too,” Cedrick said. “You can cry in

his eyes twinkling mischievously. “Why do you want me to cry so much, Daddy? Do you cry in front of

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

felt for his child

remained silent for a long time before correcting his son, “Says who? I’ve never shed a tear to gain sympathy. That’s what your mother does. She always pulls that tactic when

wide, innocent