SWNOVELS Chapter 16
Benjamin held Jasper close while gently placing a hand on his head in a protective stance. He acted coldly toward Danna. "No one is allowed to harm a child of the Graham family. Don't you dare to come close to Gavin anymore!" "Benjamin, I am Gavin's mom, and he's my beloved child. Why would I ever hurt him? He was the one that..." Her eyes met Benjamin's cold gaze. She did not dare to place the blame on Jasper and immediately started to beg for mercy, "I did not do it on purpose. All I wanted was to give him a hug... I never thought of hurting him." "Are you taking me for a fool, Ms. Adams?" Benjamin scoffed. Danna opened her mouth in shock. Her eyes grew red-rimmed as she shook her head.
"No. Don't you know that I have never taken you for a fool... " "Get lost!" Benjamin chased her out and glanced at Edwin before carrying Jasper to his study. "Please take your leave, Ms. Adams!" Edwin remained polite despite being fueled with anger. Danna watched as Benjamin left along with Jasper. She felt hurt at the realization that he was kicking her out for real. "Please leave, Ms. Adams. Have you not caused enough harm by hurting Gavin? I don't care if you don't treasure him, but as a mother, you should never bully him," Edwin heartlessly urged.
With the fact that Danna planned to marry Benjamin by leveraging on the fact that Gavin was their son, Edwin was shocked to see her be so cruel toward Gavin. He felt that Danna was way more ruthless than any stepmother in the world would be toward her son. Gavin is still young, and yet he has to endure cruel treatment from his mother. He doesn't even utter a single word about it. No wonder he has a gloomy personality and shuts himself out. Danna gritted her teeth furiously and left. "I'll come to see Gavin next time!" You're the b*stard that made Benjamin scold me. I'll get my revenge! "Ms. Adams, I suggest that you stop coming over. Gavin is not pleased to meet you either. Stop pestering him!"
It was true that Gavin felt uncomfortable whenever she was present. She glared at him in return. "Are you not afraid that I might tell Benjamin about your attitude toward me, Edwin?" Even if I were wrong, Gavin is my son. You're in no position to judge me! "Go ahead and snitch on me, Ms. Adams." Edwin was well-aware that Danna was enraged and snorted secretly in his heart. She must be putting up an act. How could she be the one that gave birth to Gavin? It's so pitiful that he has her as his mother. I hope that he now knows her true nature after this incident. Danna was pissed and had no idea how to deal with Edwin. He was a senior and had served Benjamin for a long time. All she could do was say things out of spite to relieve herself.
There was nothing she could complain about in front of Benjamin as it would all be pointless. She had no other choice but to leave since she did not wish to make Benjamin hate her more. Benjamin entered his study while carrying Jasper. Then, he grabbed the first aid kit. An irritated look was visible on his face as he checked if Jasper had any wounds. Jasper looked briefly at him. He took a deep breath as he was slightly frightened by Benjamin, who remained silent throughout the process. Benjamin had a look at Jasper and noticed that the latter was crying.
Tears flowed non-stop out of his swollen red eyes. Benjamin felt his heart ache at how distressed the child appeared. "Stop crying. You're a big boy!" Jasper bit the corner of his mouth frustratingly. "I'm hurt! Why does she hate me? Other children's mommy could not bear to hurt their child, but mommy tried to pinch me with all her might. Is she even my mommy?" Benjamin was stunned. They previously underwent a DNA test to prove that Gavin was no doubt their child. He gulped and took a quick glimpse at Jasper before proceeding to close the first aid kit. He softened his tone and spoke. "You can stop seeing your mommy if you don't like her!" Benjamin was confident that his son would grow up properly even if his mother was not around.
Danna had gone too far this time. Hope lit up in Jasper's eyes as he asked pitifully, "Really? Don't you love her? Are you still going to marry her, then? She told me that you would, Daddy!" Benjamin frowned. "You don't have to worry about it! It's never going to happen." Jasper was stunned by his reply. What does he mean? Does this mean that Daddy does not love Mommy? Or is he not going to marry her? "I feel that she is not my mommy. She hated me since I was young. Whenever you all were not around, she would try to pinch me in places that would not be easily visible when she was displeased."
Jasper honestly had no idea if Danna had always acted that way. He was just making things up to make Benjamin believe him. Benjamin's face turned solemn as he asked with a deep voice, "Why did you not tell me about this before?" Jasper glimpsed at him and pouted. "I did not dare to do so because she threatened me!" He lowered his head and shivered as he explained. His sorrowful look made Benjamin's heart clench in pain. Benjamin gently ruffled the boy's hair and promised, "From now on, I won't let anyone bully you!" He felt guilty that his beloved child was almost hurt, not just by anyone but Danna. Jasper buried himself in Benjamin's arms and sniffed. "Are you still going to be in a relationship with her, Daddy?"
A glint appeared in Benjamin's eyes as he had no clue how to answer his question. "Well, would you like me to be with her?" Jasper shook his head. "No!" Benjamin paused for a second after hearing Jasper answer with determination. He lowered his gaze onto Jasper's head. I thought that he would want us to remain together. "Do you feel pain anywhere?" He held Jasper and continued to check if Jasper had suffered any wounds. "Here!"
Jasper patted his left chest to show Benjamin that he was physically fine but felt emotionally hurt by Danna's actions. Benjamin rarely witnessed his son crying. Ever since Gavin learned how to walk and speak I've never seen him cry in such a manner. It breaks my heart. He gently patted Jasper's head and comforted him, "Everything will be all right." Benjamin frowned as his expression darkened.
How could his own mother be so rough toward him? I would never try to hurt him. Benjamin was very protective of his son. Even if Danna was someone who held an important place in his heart and was Gavin's mother, he could not help but feel agitated. Jasper felt that something was off with Benjamin and asked with caution, "Daddy, is she really my mommy? Could my mommy be someone else?" Upon hearing that, Benjamin knitted his brows. He looked at Jasper's hopeful eyes and cheekily squeezed his cheeks. "She is your mommy. You're overthinking."
“Hmph! For all I know, she might have adopted me. Don't you think that I look nothing like Mommy, Daddy?" Jasper said in disappointment. A shiver ran down Benjamin's spine. Then, he observed Jasper's facial features. The child was roughly seventy to eighty percent similar to Benjamin in terms of looks, but he indeed had no resemblance to Danna. Usually, children took after their parents' looks. He was unable to convince Jasper since Jasper looked nothing like Danna.