You More Than Anything In The World

Patricia Reynolds followed Edwin into the house, but she was asked to wait in the foyer while Benjamin, Arissa and the kids ate breakfast in the dining room.

“Please wait here, Ms. Reynolds. Mr. Graham is still eating breakfast,” Edwin explained curtly, his voice devoid of its usual warmth. As far as he was concerned, Benjamin's mother was the only Mrs. Graham in the family. He frankly did not regard Bryan and Nick's biological mother with any fondness.

Nonetheless, Edwin poured Patricia a glass of water, then set it on the coffee table. Let it not be said that Benjamin's household staff was lacking in proper courtesy.

Patricia looked in the direction of the dining room. From where she sat, she could see Benjamin and his family having breakfast in there. She grimaced when none of them bothered to come out and greet her.

Rude, insolent child! In any case, I'm still Benjamin's elder! He should at least greet me!

Edwin side-eyed Patricia, then turned and headed into the dining room.

“Eat up.” Presently, Benjamin was giving Arissa more helpings of breakfast and encouraging her to eat more.

Arissa looked at him curiously. Seeing that he was eating nonchalantly and had no plans to acknowledge Patricia's presence, she followed suit.

After all, Patricia was not someone important. They were under no obligation to greet her.

“Eat up, kids,” Arissa said to the children. She gave them helpings of food when she caught them glancing curiously in the living room's direction. It was only then that they turned their attention back to their breakfast.

“Mommy, can I have some more of that, please? It's yummy,” Jasper said, nodding at one of the dishes on the table.

Arissa gave him an extra helping and asked gently, “Is that enough? I can give you some more if you'd like.”

He giggled happily and adjusted the glasses on his little face. “This is enough, Mommy. Thank you.” He began to eat heartily.

“Mommy, I want what Jasper got,” Jesse piped up, her mouth watering as she stared at the food.

“Okay, here you go!” Arissa gave Jesse a helping, too, then watched with a gentle gaze as the children ate.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Patricia was growing sullen after her presence had been ignored for ten minutes. She heard noises coming from the dining room, but it seemed as if everyone, especially Benjamin, was intent on leaving her alone.

She would never have come here if she didn't have a favor to ask of Benjamin.

If her son were not in prison now, she would not have been so desperate as to come here and humiliate herself.

She was furious and resentful, but with Benjamin being the current head of the Graham family, she had no choice but to drop by his house and see him personally.

When over ten minutes had passed and no one came out to greet her, Patricia could no longer stand being ignored. She rose impatiently and stormed over to the dining room.

Even though her blood was boiling, she tried not to blow her top as she called out in a forced and affectionate manner, “Benjamin!”

Benjamin glanced at her sideways, then asked in a distant tone, “What is it?”

Patricia looked at everyone who was seated at the table. None of them greeted her, and as furious as she was, she could not help feeling awkward.

“Benjamin,” she tried again with a tight smile. “Your brother has been in prison for a while now, and I'm sure he's suffered plenty to make up for his wrongdoings. Do you think maybe you could forgive him?”