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

forced to deal with the

you will not give Benny any more weird reading material even if he begs you for them. If my darling

strode back to

back. His heart, too, was filled with a complicated mix of

of years trying to save him. They spoiled him even more than they

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

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

thought about it,

found himself

that Benedict was in bed. The

at the foliage outside the window. His frail, pale

the sound 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

a prickling

smiled at his son. “Are you worried that I would be annoyed,

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

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

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

throw a tantrum. You shouldn’t have to pretend and be serious like an adult.

father’s 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.

right to express how they feel, too,” Cedrick said. “You can cry in

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

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

felt for his child

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 she wants to apologize to me, which is how Zendy learned to

wide, innocent smile.