You More Than Anything In The World

Miranda jumped at her father's voice. When she turned and met his furious gaze, tears of resentment welled up in her eyes.

She shrieked, “I am not done! All of you have been waiting to see me humiliated. Are you happy now? This is all Arissa's fault! I won't let that b*tch get away with this!”

Regan's eyes turned cold. Without another word, he raised his hand and slapped Miranda across the face. His hand was trembling from the force of it.

“This is your own doing! Don't blame Issa when you were the one who schemed and messed around,” he barked.

“It's all her fault, Dad! How could you speak up for her? I was raped because of her! I can't believe you'd defend her after what she did to me. Mark my words, I will not let her get away with this. I wouldn't have ended up like this if it weren't for her!” Miranda snarled, her eyes bugging. She looked like a lunatic.

Regan was too tired to try and talk sense into her, so he tossed his phone at her, saying, “Go ahead and watch the security footage if you don't believe me. I told you, what happened to you had nothing to do with Issa. I don't have the time or energy to argue with you about this. For the time being, stay at home and don't make a fool out of yourself outside. For heaven's sake, why can't you and your mother just give me a break? How am I supposed to show my face outside after this?”

It was clear from the tone of his voice that he was exasperated and furious. Having said all this, he stormed out of the room with a thunderous expression.

Miranda took the phone Regan had tossed onto the floor and watched the security footage. When she saw who had taken her to the hotel on the night she was assaulted, she trembled with rage and screeched hysterically, “That b*tch!”

...

Meanwhile, following his unpleasant exchange with Regan, Benjamin went straight to the kids' school to pick them up. As soon as the kids saw their father at the gates, their faces brightened up.

“Daddy!”

“Mr. Graham!”

The kids bounded up to him with their backpacks slung over their shoulders. Benjamin softened at the sight of them. They looked like perfect little cherubs.

He crouched down to rub their heads in affectionate greeting. “Come on, get in the car. We'll go see your mommy at the hospital.”

The kids were delighted to hear this. They erupted into cheers as they climbed into the vehicle. Benjamin waited until they had all settled into the backseat before closing the door. Then, he slid into the driver's seat, started the car, and drove in the hospital's direction.

“Daddy, did you go to work today? Did you come straight from the office?” Gavin asked curiously, grinning as he eyed Benjamin's suit.

Benjamin glanced at the children through the rearview mirror, then answered softly, “Yes, I had a meeting in the afternoon and it wrapped up just before school ended. I figured I'd come and pick you up.”

Jesse piped up, “So, Mommy's been on her own at the hospital? Wouldn't she be lonely?”

Hearing the concern in her voice, Benjamin smiled and explained patiently, “I waited until she fell asleep before going to the office. Besides, your grandfather and great-grandaunt are at the hospital, too. They can keep her company.”

Jesse's eyes lit up as she beamed and flashed her dimples.

Zachary looked at Benjamin and asked, “Say, Mr. Graham, did Mommy kick you out of the hospital and make you go to work?”

Benjamin's lips twitched. This kid's got good intuition.

Jasper and Oliver snickered, and they could not resist teasing their father over this. “You don't suppose Mommy got sick of you?”