The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

“Cedrick, I…”

Nico, looking pale, wanted to explain the situation, but Cedrick simply walked past the former and walked out of the door.

Meanwhile, Charles remained standing in the corridor not far away, his blue eyes fixed on Cedrick wistfully.

There were two children with Charles—one by his side and one in his arms. It was strangely a pleasant sight.

Benedict trotted forward, opened his arms wide, and fixed his glassy eyes on his father as a silent request for a hug.

As if reading his son’s mind, Cedrick bent forward and gently lifted the former into his arms, letting his son sit on his arm.

Even when Cedrick managed to take a quick shower, Benedict could still detect the smell of smoke and alcohol on the former, thanks to the sensitive nose he acquired from his prolonged sickness.

“Daddy, you’re naughty. You know I can’t stand the smell of smoke. Still, you secretly drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes in the office. If Mommy finds out about this, she’ll definitely punish you.”

Cedrick forced a faint smile to hide the anguish in his gaze. “I’m sorry. I won’t smoke again, and I won’t make Gwenny angry. Let’s head into the office first. It’s cold out here in the corridor.”

With that, Cedrick carried his son into the office, with Charles and Nico following them.

As soon as they entered the office, Zendaya quickly scanned the room, only to end up frowning. “Daddy, where’s Mommy? Uncle Charles says Mommy was keeping you company when you worked overtime. Why isn’t Mommy here?”

The smile on Cedrick’s face froze, his gaze lowered as he came up with an excuse. “Your mommy has gone back to the Harris residence on Mount Tranquil. Something urgent happened in the family, and she needs to take care of it.”

Benedict, who was still in Cedrick’s arms, asked, “Then why didn’t you go with Mommy? You wanted to follow her everywhere in the past.”

With a tensed jaw, Cedrick explained awkwardly, “That’s because I have an urgent matter to take care of at work, too. I had no choice but to work overtime. I’ll pick her up latest by tomorrow or maybe the day after tomorrow.”

Both Nico and Charles had grave expressions. They realized something was not right with Cedrick, but they did not expose him in front of the children.

Benedict lowered his gaze, looking a little disappointed. “Daddy, I feel uneasy when I don’t get to see Mommy.”

chest and glanced at Cedrick

and his face paled. He could not bring himself

be put down on the ground and trotted

I can’t sleep without

Cedrick in a tough spot, but he

acting as if he was going to put Benedict

Gwenny’s busy. You two are five years old already. Why are you still so disobedient and insistent on being with her? And how dare you ask for her when you’re in my

the former tighter and rested his head

Daddy. I’m feeling

two children would think of ways to shun Cedrick and hog their

that their mother was not home that night, Cedrick was their next best candidate to cling to. In fact, Cedrick was the person

dream tonight.

he suppressed the agony in his heart. “Of course, it’s not true,” he responded casually before bending forward to pick Zendaya up. While holding back the tears welling in his reddened eyes, he hugged them tightly and rubbed his forehead

two blankets from the

“Okay.”

to the couch and sat down on it, placing the children each beside him. When they were tucked safely under the blankets, they lay

In fact, they behaved really well now that they had their father with

and backs from time

drifted off to

Charles were slightly taken aback

Nico never expected the children who were throwing a tantrum earlier to behave so

suppression from

sleeping Zendaya in silence for some time before saying, “You’re going a great job as a

how great of a job he

you said earlier was a lie.

him, Cedrick said calmly and softly, “Since you guys have come here, I shall not keep it from you. I don’t have plans on doing that

Nico was already one step ahead