You More than Anything in the World (Arissa)

Benjamin looked down at the boy before kneeling, pulling the latter's tiny hand over to him, and wrapping it with the handkerchief.

“Be careful next time.” The man's voice became much gentler.

“Okay.”

The child blinked, feeling the man's concern for him.

Benjamin then walked out of the ward while continuing to hold Tim's hand.

“Where are we going, Mr. Graham?” the boy asked in confusion.

“To see your mommy.”

Benjamin shot him a glance.

Tim remained puzzled. But she'll be back soon.

Still, he agreed to follow the man.

Gavin and the other children watched as the two left, their eyes widening.

“Mr. Graham can't leave Mommy alone, can he? He just doesn't want to admit it!” Jasper exclaimed with a sigh, imitating the way adults spoke.

“Right? She'll be back real soon, but he can't even wait another second,” Oliver chimed in while adjusting his glasses.

“Does Mr. Graham like Mommy now?”

Jesse stared at her older brothers with her large eyes.

Mary chuckled upon hearing the children's conversation.

“Isn't Mr. Graham your daddy? Why do you still call him Mr. Graham? Is he not together with your mommy?”

She had initially thought Arissa and Benjamin were a married couple, but after spending more time with them, she soon noticed that the two didn't seem as close as husband and wife should be.

“Mommy's not with Mr. Graham,” Jasper remarked with a smile.

“They're not together?” Mary was bewildered.

“Nope. Mommy only came back to Chanaea a while ago,” Gavin explained. “She and Daddy barely knew each other, and she was just working at Daddy's company. They only started talking to each other more after she found me.”

Mary was still in the dark. Does that mean Issa became pregnant before marriage?

That poor girl. It must've been so hard for her, having to raise four kids on her own.

Her heart broke for Arissa.

“Your mommy must've worked so hard to raise you on her own.”

Zachary nodded. “It was hard for her, but things are better now. Don't feel like you're troubling Mommy, okay? She'll be sad if you do.”

Mary was touched. “Okay. Thank you, children. I'm so thankful for your mommy too. She's so much better than my good-for-nothing son!”

“We'll take good care of you from now on. Don't you worry!”

Jesse beamed at her, looking utterly adorable as she revealed a toothless smile.

“Okay.” Mary was beyond elated.

“We shouldn't disrupt her sleep,” Gavin reminded his siblings before turning to Mary. “Get some rest for now.”

With a nod, Zachary, Oliver, Jasper, and Jesse sat next to the old woman.

Mary was delighted to see that.

Meanwhile, Benjamin had left the ward with Tim not to look for Arissa, but because he had something to discuss with the boy.