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?”

Joshua called out to him, he was

forced to deal with

will not give Benny any more weird reading material even if he begs you for

strode back to

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

and Gwendolyn owed Benedict. They had been spending every waking hour of the past couple of years trying to save him. They spoiled him even more than they spoiled

both their distinguished families, he and Gwendolyn had so many

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

thought about it, the

found himself back at

that Benedict was in bed. The IV drip

and staring at the foliage outside the window. His frail, pale face made Cedrick’s

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

a prickling sensation in his

and smiled at his son. “Are you

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

a deep breath, suppressing the heavy feeling in his heart. “Everybody falls ill,” he said solemnly. “That doesn’t mean you’re not normal, Benny. Besides, I will never find you annoying,

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

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 get better, we will ensure that you

embrace, Benedict nestled his head against Cedrick’s chest. “Making a scene and throwing a tantrum sounds like something Zendy would do, Daddy. I’m a boy.

too,” Cedrick said. “You can cry in

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

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

his child disappeared completely as

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 Zendy learned

wide, innocent