NovelEnglish
Chapter 999
Arissa noticed Tim's injuries were not only from falling but also from bullying. Her heart
twisted in pain at the thought of Tim being hit behind her back. The rim of her eyes turned
red. Tears pricked the back of her eyes as she pulled him into a hug.
Suddenly, she felt a large hand gently patting her head, comforting her.
As she raised her head, her eyes locked with Benjamin's worried gaze.
“Okay, Arissa?”
Benjamin caressed her head again, hinting at her to regain her composure.
Stamping down the sadness she felt, Arissa let go of Tim.
“I'm really fine, Mommy. Don't be sad,” Tim comforted her when he noticed her red-
rimmed eyes.
Arissa smiled faintly before pulling him into another embrace and giving him a peck.
Guilt surged within Tim. He wouldn't have shown his injuries to Arissa if he knew it would
upset her.
Benjamin patted Tim's head. “Wait downstairs for us, kids. Your mommy will take a while
to finish packing.”
Gavin knew Benjamin wanted to talk privately with Arissa, so he obediently led his
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtbrothers and sister out of the room.
“Tim, Zachary, Oliver, Jasper, Jesse, let's head downstairs.”
Zachary, Oliver, Jasper, and Jesse glanced at Arissa. “Mommy, we'll be downstairs.”
“Okay.”
Arissa flashed her kids a smile. “You guys head down first. I'll be there in a minute.”
Biting his lip, Tim looked up at her. “Mommy, don't be sad.”
Arissa nodded. Gratification swept over her at his concern. “I know.”
Tim studied her face intently as if to discern whether she was telling the truth.
“I'm fine,” Arissa said apologetically. She felt terrible about letting the kids worry.
“Mommy, we'll wait for you and Mr. Graham downstairs.”
Tim shot Benjamin a glance before he followed his brothers and sister out of the room.
Arissa's gaze trailed after the kids.
After the children left, a man's belt buckle came into her line of sight.
She tilted her head back to look.
Benjamin's gaze dropped to her. Pinching her cheek lightly, he said, “The kids will be
worried about you if you act like this.”
Guilt welled up within Arissa. “I can't help it.”
The thought of her children suffering from being hit had her upset.
Benjamin was aware of her feelings as they reflected his.
“A little bit of hardship at his age is a good experience for him. It'll be beneficial for his
growth, so think about it from the good side,” Benjamin gently caressed her head as he
advised.
Arissa nodded.
She straightened her back and urged, “Hurry up and help me with my makeup.”
The corners of Benjamin's lips curled into a smile as he bent down to draw her eyebrows.
Looking at the curve of the eyebrow he drew, Arissa smiled at how good it was.
She couldn't resist teasing him, “Benjamin, you'll be popular if you change careers to be a
makeup artist.”
Benjamin arched his brow at her comment before dropping his burning gaze to meet her
eyes. “Won't it be better if I'm your personal makeup artist?”
Arissa's heart softened. “Well, it looks like it's a win for me.”
Such a handsome makeup artist, and he's all mine.
“Looks like? You know it's a definite win for you.”
Benjamin pinched her nose playfully.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmArissa reached for her lipstick and lined her lips. She pursed her lips into a line at the end
to blend the color.
“Done!”
“Wait!”
Arissa jerked her head over her shoulder to see Benjamin had a brocade box in his hand.
Opening the box, he revealed a set of expensive-looking jewelry.
“When did you prepare this?” Arissa was surprised.
“Do you like it?”
Benjamin's intense gaze traveled around her features, not wanting to miss even a second
of her expression.
Arissa nodded. “I like it, but it must have cost a lot!”
“It wasn't that bad.”
The price was the last of Benjamin's concerns as long as Arissa liked it. He carefully
removed the diamond necklace from the box and walked over to her, helping her put it on.
When he was done, he helped her adjust its position from the front.
Arissa stroked the pendant—a strawberry-shaped ruby with diamonds embedded in it. It
was stunning as it shone brightly.
“How much does it cost exactly? What happens if I lose it?”
She curiously looked at the man behind her through the mirror.
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