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.

was forced to deal with the strange old

Eugene, but you will not give Benny any more weird reading material even if he begs you for them. If my darling nephew

strode back to

his walk back. His heart, too, was filled with

They had been spending every waking hour of the past couple of years

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

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

it, the more uneasy he

himself back at

the door and saw that Benedict was in bed. The IV drip hanging

staring at the foliage outside the window.

sound of the door being pushed open. When he saw Cedrick, 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 no need to rush over to spend time with me. I’m already five years old, and I don’t need you

Cedrick a prickling

side of the bed and smiled at his son. “Are you worried

been sick since I was born. I’m not a

ill,” he said solemnly. “That doesn’t mean you’re not normal, Benny. Besides, I will never find you annoying, and

pulled Benedict into his arms, enveloping the boy in a father’s vast, warm

out loud in front of 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

chest. “Making a scene and throwing a tantrum sounds like

“You can cry in front of me, Benny. I won’t make fun of you

mischievously. “Why do you want me to cry so much, Daddy? Do you cry

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

his child disappeared completely as

what your mother does. She always pulls that tactic when she

gave a wide, innocent smile.