The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

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?”

When Joshua called out to him, he was already out of sight and earshot.

with the strange old man

give Benny any more weird reading material even if he

strode back to

His heart, too, was filled with a complicated

owed Benedict. They had been spending every waking hour of the past couple of years trying to save him. They spoiled him even

so many

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

more he thought about it, the more

himself

the door and saw that Benedict was in bed.

and staring at the foliage outside the window. His frail,

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 to rush over to

a prickling sensation in his

bed and smiled at his son. “Are you worried that I would be annoyed, Benny?” he asked

gaze, looking sorrowful. “I’ve been sick since I was

falls ill,” he said solemnly. “That doesn’t mean you’re not normal, Benny. Besides, I

the boy in a father’s

a scene, and throw a tantrum. You shouldn’t have to pretend and be serious like an adult. Mommy and I will never abandon you. Even if you never get better, we will ensure that you spend the

warmth of his father’s embrace, Benedict nestled his head against Cedrick’s chest. “Making a scene and throwing a tantrum sounds like something Zendy

Cedrick said. “You can cry

eyes twinkling mischievously. “Why do you want me to cry so

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

had just felt for his child disappeared completely as a

long time before correcting his son, “Says who? I’ve never shed a tear to gain sympathy. That’s what your

a wide, innocent