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.

forced to deal with the strange old man

but you will not give Benny any more weird reading material even if he begs you for them. If my darling nephew grows up messed up, I won’t ever

back to the

a mess during his walk back. His heart, too, was

couple of years trying to save him. They spoiled him even more than

and Gwendolyn had so many obligations that there were still aspects of raising a

that he realized he had been so

it, the more

Cedrick found himself back at the

the door and saw that Benedict was in bed. The

staring at the foliage outside

he smiled. “Daddy, you’re back.” Then, he looked up at the drip. “The professor who came to change my medication said there’s only one bottle left for today. You can go deal with work first if you’re busy, Daddy. There’s

a prickling sensation in

sat on the side of the bed and smiled at his son. “Are

been sick since I was born. I’m not a

ill,” he said solemnly. “That doesn’t mean you’re not

the boy in a father’s vast, warm

me and Mommy, Benny. You can cry if you’re sad, make a scene, and throw a tantrum. You shouldn’t have to pretend and be serious like an adult. Mommy and I will never

“Making a scene and throwing a tantrum

Cedrick said. “You can cry in front of me, Benny.

do you want me to cry so much, Daddy? Do you cry in front of Mommy to gain her

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

his child disappeared completely as a result of

his son, “Says who? I’ve never shed a tear to gain sympathy. That’s what your mother does. She always pulls that tactic when she wants to apologize to me, which

wide, innocent smile.