You More Than Anything In The World

Jasper's cheeks puffed up indignantly. “Did you all leave me behind?”

“Didn't we ask you if you wanted to come?” Arissa pinched his cheek affectionately.

“Don't even think of abandoning me, Mommy,” Jasper cried as he ran after them. “I want to go home!”

“Come on,” Arissa said as she beckoned the children to go downstairs. “We'll come back here on our next vacation. I'll bring you around then!”

The five children nodded happily as they bounded down the stairs after her.

Meanwhile, Benjamin turned to Bradley. “What did she say to you earlier?”

Bradley glanced at Benjamin hesitantly, not as outspoken as he was in front of Arissa.

“She asked me if I found anything out about Tim's living conditions.”

Benjamin narrowed his beady eyes at him. “What did you tell her?”

Bradley shook his head hurriedly. “Nothing. She wants me to spend the next few days digging.”

Benjamin appeared satisfied by that answer.

“Don't let her find you!”

Bradley was dumbstruck.

“Coincidentally, Mdm. Mary is going to have a house built. I'm placing you here to keep an eye out.”

Benjamin gave the order as if Bradley was his employee, not Arissa's.

“All right,” Bradley replied. “How long should I remain hidden from my boss, Mr. Graham?”

Benjamin frowned. “Until her condition improves. I will tell her myself and you won't have to hide from her then.”

Bradley stared at him. Isn't she in a good enough condition now?

Before he could respond, Benjamin saw Jasper tumbling down the stairs and disappearing outside before he could make sense of it.

He strode over to the other adults and found Kingsley, Shaun, Mary, and Ethen similarly baffled.

Benjamin glanced at them. “What happened to Jasper?”

They shook their heads in confusion. “Not a clue. We only saw him come downstairs and run out.”

Benjamin followed him out and saw the boy crawling onto the plane.

He frowned and quickly got on the plane with a frown.

Benjamin raised his eyebrows at the boy easing into a seat and buckling himself in. “What's going on?”

Jasper looked up as an idea occurred to him. “Mommy doesn't want to take me back!” he wailed.

Startled, Benjamin sank into the seat next to his son and stroked the child's hair. “Why?”

Jasper pouted and met the man's gaze. ”Mommy doesn't want me anymore!”

Benjamin laughed. “Out of all the people in the world who may not want you, your mother is the least likely one to!”

That woman is devoted to her children!

Jasper hid his smugness by scoffing in disdain. “All you do is say good things about Mommy.”

Benjamin was helplessly amused at the boy's angry frown.

“I'm telling the truth!” he persisted gently, stroking the boy's hair as he did so. “Your mother is simply teasing you. She doesn't dislike you, I promise. Don't be angry, or your mommy will be sad.”