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

deal with

to or not, Eugene, but 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

back to the

mind was a mess during his walk back. His heart, too, was filled with a complicated mix of

had been spending every waking hour of the past couple of years trying to save him. They

had so many obligations that there were still aspects of

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

about it,

Cedrick found himself back at the

bed. The IV drip hanging

sitting quietly and staring at the foliage outside the window.

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

gave Cedrick a

the bed and smiled at his son. “Are you worried that

lowered his gaze, looking sorrowful. “I’ve been sick since I was born.

deep breath, suppressing the heavy feeling in his heart. “Everybody falls ill,” he said solemnly. “That doesn’t

the boy in 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 better, we will ensure that you spend the

the warmth of his father’s embrace, Benedict nestled his head against Cedrick’s chest. “Making a scene and throwing a

express how they feel, too,” Cedrick said. “You can cry in front of me,

twinkling mischievously. “Why do you want me to cry so much, Daddy?

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

just felt for his child disappeared

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

a wide, innocent smile.