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 out of sight

to deal with the

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

back

back. His heart, too, was filled with a

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

many obligations that there

only on that day that he realized he had been so

about it, the more uneasy

himself back at the

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

at the foliage outside the window. His frail,

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,

Cedrick a prickling

the side of the bed and smiled at his son. “Are

“I’ve been sick since I

he said solemnly. “That doesn’t mean

pulled Benedict into his arms, enveloping the boy in a father’s vast, warm

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 better, we will ensure that you spend the rest of your

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

the right to express how they feel, too,” Cedrick said. “You can cry in front of me, Benny. I won’t make fun

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

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

child

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

a wide,