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?”

to him, he was already out

to deal with the strange old

if you meant to or not, Eugene, but you will not give Benny any more weird reading material even if he begs you for them. If

strode back to

His heart, too, was filled

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

both their distinguished families, he and Gwendolyn had so many obligations that there were still aspects of

realized he had been so

it, the

himself back at

in bed. The IV drip

outside the window. His frail, pale face made Cedrick’s heart

of the door being 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

words gave Cedrick a prickling sensation in

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

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

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

the boy in a father’s vast, warm

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 if you never

scene and throwing a tantrum

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

want me to cry so much, Daddy? Do you cry in front of

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

had just felt for his child disappeared completely as a result of

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 she wants to apologize to me, which is how

gave a wide, innocent