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

you will not give Benny any more weird reading material even if he begs you for them. If

strode back to the

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

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

both their distinguished families, he and Gwendolyn had so many obligations that

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

he thought about it, the more uneasy

Cedrick found himself back at the

in bed.

at the foliage outside the window.

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

on the side of the bed and smiled at his son. “Are you worried that I would be

“I’ve been sick since I was

“That doesn’t mean you’re not normal, Benny. Besides, I will never find you annoying, and I’ll always be

enveloping the boy in a father’s

scene, and throw a tantrum. You shouldn’t have to pretend and be

Cedrick’s chest. “Making a scene and throwing a tantrum sounds like something Zendy would do, Daddy.

they feel, too,” Cedrick said. “You can cry in

me to cry so much, Daddy? Do you cry in front of Mommy to

Cedrick’s lips twitched.

had just felt for his child

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 is how Zendy learned to

wide,