Gavin, Danny, Zachary, Tim, Jasper, and Jesse finished their meal and followed Darius up the stairs.

As soon as they entered the room, the kids immediately swarmed around the bed.

“Mommy, are you feeling better?”

“Is there anything you'd like to eat, Mommy? I'll go get it for you!”

“Mommy—”

Benjamin turned and glared at the children, snapping, “Quiet down!”

At once, the six children clapped their hands over their mouths and stared at Benjamin with wide, glistening eyes. Arissa thought her heart might break at the sight of this.

“Why did you raise your voice at them?” she asked Benjamin angrily.

Upon getting berated, Benjamin pursed his lips and replied, “Because they were making a ruckus the moment they came in!”

“I didn't think they were making a ruckus!” Arissa rolled her eyes at him, then turned to address the children affectionately, “Come here, Sweethearts!”

The six children peered cautiously at Benjamin, then moved toward the headboard where Arissa was beckoning them.

She rubbed their heads lovingly and asked, “Have you all eaten?”

The children nodded. “Yes, Mommy,” they answered softly.

She beamed. “I'm glad to hear that.”

“Mommy, you should eat or you'll be hungry,” Zachary piped up as he stood to the side.

Gavin and the others followed suit, making room for Benjamin so that he could feed Arissa oatmeal.

Just then, Arissa greeted Darius and invited him to take a seat. “Dad!”

Darius smiled and waved his hand dismissively. “Don't mind me. Go on, finish your oatmeal.”

Having said that, he appraised Arissa's face and visibly relaxed when he saw she had some color in her cheeks.

Presently, Benjamin continued feeding Arissa oatmeal, but she only managed half a bowl before she said she was full.

“I can't eat anymore,” she complained, frowning as she pursed her lips.

Benjamin stopped feeding her after she expressed this. He glanced at Jesse and asked, “Jesse, would you like to finish the rest of Mommy's oatmeal?”

Jesse blinked, then looked at Arissa. “Aren't you going to have some more, Mommy?”

“No, I'm really full,” Arissa answered gently, then encouraged Jesse to finish the rest of the oatmeal.

“Thanks, Mommy!” Jesse went up to Benjamin to take the bowl from him.

However, he held the bowl out of her reach and teased, “Hey, I was the one who said you could have the oatmeal. Why did you thank your mommy instead of me?”

The little girl looked to the side as though seriously considering his question, then turned her innocent gaze back to him. “Because that was Mommy's oatmeal!”

Benjamin sputtered. Darius, who watched this exchange from the side, could not help chuckling in amusement as well.

“Don't scarf it all down at once,” Benjamin reminded as he handed Jesse the bowl. “You don't have to finish it if you're full.”

Jasper let out a derisive snort and muttered, “As if Jesse would ever be full!”

While wiping the corners of Arissa's mouth with a napkin, Benjamin suddenly thought of something. He studied Arissa curiously. She normally had a big appetite, but that night, she had barely eaten two bowls of oatmeal before declaring she was full. He wondered if she had not fully regained her appetite yet.
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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