The More the Merrier

Chapter 1052 What Is It

"Not my father. My wife."

Benjamin turned to glance toward the bed and frowned when he saw Arissa rise.

He hung up while he strode in, and Jonathan's inquiry about Arissa's condition went unanswered.

"Why are you sitting up?"

Arissa froze and stared at him. "I want to use the bathroom!"

Having drank too much water, she had to go but did not feel good about interrupting him on a call.

Benjamin's brows relaxed. Scooping her up in his arms, he headed to the bathroom.

"Why didn't you call for me?" he asked her softly. "Don't move on your own. Have you forgotten the doctor's orders?"

Arissa was not embarrassed at his scowl and his reprimand. Instead, she felt pleased.

"I remember, and I will be careful. I noticed you were on the phone earlier, and I couldn't hold it in any longer, so I thought I would go on my own." She glanced at Benjamin, who was still shirtless, and pressed herself against him, reveling in his warmth.

Benjamin studied her. "Making excuses, are you?"

Arissa pursed her lips and giggled.

His anger dissipated when he was faced with her enchanting smile.

"Call me if you need to use the bathroom next time, no matter what I'm doing," Benjamin reiterated bossily.

Arissa nodded. "I will," she promised with a grin.

With an exasperated gaze at her, Benjamin carried her into the bathroom, waited for her to relieve herself, and brought her back out again.

He placed her gently back in bed and covered her with the quilt at once.

"Are you cold?" Benjamin examined her. The air conditioning in the ward, coupled with the presence of medical supplies, made the ambient temperature of the room colder than it was outside. Arissa shook her head. "Not at all. It's just right."

Benjamin smoothed her quilt. "Sleep."

She turned toward him. "Aren't you going to sleep?"

Benjamin caressed her hair. "I still have work-related matters to attend to," he said gently. "You sleep first."

Arissa nodded and, upon noticing he was still not dressed, said, "Put on a shirt before you catch a cold."

Benjamin's lips curled upward as his eyes twinkled at her. "I'll get dressed." Then, he stroked her nose affectionately. "Go to sleep."

Arissa glanced at him. "Do your thing, and don't worry about me. Don't stay up too late, though."

Benjamin nodded before getting up to put on a shirt. Arissa's gaze followed him around, feeling safe in his presence.

Benjamin got dressed before returning Ethen's call, who had work matters to report.

Suddenly, Arissa's phone rang. The children were calling.

She quickly picked up and conversed with them in a hushed voice. The children turned the camera to Bradley.

As she had not seen him in a while, the sudden sight of him filled her heart with warmth.

"Did you not get anything to eat during your journey, Bradley?"

She smiled at the sight of Bradley wolfing down his food.

"They were awful, Boss. There's nothing good to eat at Rutaceae Village. I feel as if I haven't eaten in months!" Arissa laughed.

Benjamin glanced over. "Don't laugh too hard!" he reminded her.

Glancing at him, she nodded.

"You weren't even away for a month, Mr. Hinton, and you're claiming it's been months? Could you not exaggerate?" "That's right. You're too dramatic, Mr. Hinton. I saw him indulging in Rutaceae Village, and now he is pretending that he starved." "What do you know? I have to prepare my food over there. There're no takeouts at all!"

Arissa watched them on the screen with amusement. "Stay for the night, Bradley," she offered gently. "Help me watch the children." "I heard from the kids that you're in the hospital, Boss. What happened to you?" Bradley asked as he leaned closer to the screen.