The Cherished Wife



"Brandon, stop!" Tania cut him off, her voice tinged with hesitation. "Listen to me. You're not well enough to go to the amusement park."

"But I wanna go!" Brandon's bottom lip quivered, and his eyes brimmed with tears.

"Why make the kid cry? If he wants to go, we should just go," Peter said, his heart sinking at the sight of Brandon's tears. He walked over and gently took Brandon's hand. "How about I take you tomorrow, champ?"

"Really? Yay!" Brandon's tears vanished, replaced by a beaming smile. "I wanna go with you. You're the best!"

"However, ..." Tania bit her lip, worry creasing her brow. "Brandon, he..."

"Tania, relax. We'll all be there to keep an eye on him," Noelle chimed in, sensing Tania's anxiety. "Is something wrong with Brandon?"

"No, nothing at all!" Tania quickly shook her head, trying to dismiss her concerns. "Weren't we going to go to the mall?"

"Yeah, that's the plan," Noelle replied with a grin. "Peter, my car's too small for everyone. How about yours?"

"Give me a second!" Peter scooped up Brandon and headed to the garage. He carefully buckled Brandon into the car seat, making sure he was secure. Noticing Brandon's wide-eyed wonder, he playfully pinched his cheek. "Why doesn't Mommy want you to go to the amusement park, huh?"

Brandon's expression darkened when he heard the news, and his voice was shaky. "There are bad guys at the amusement park. They're after me, and Mom's so upset!"

Peter's eyes flashed dangerously for a moment, his whole aura turning fierce. However, when he looked at Brandon, he softened a bit. "Don't worry, kiddo. I've got you. No one's gonna catch you, alright?"

Once Brandon was settled, Peter hit the road. His phone rang-it was Lareal. "Mr. Lennon, I've emailed you Trevon's file. He's been globe-trotting for years, with lots of trips to Carvonia. He's married, but it looks like he's not living with his wife. And get this-I found out Trevon was in Brookville four years back!"

Peter's hands clenched the steering wheel tighter, his gaze sharp. "And?"noveldrama

"That's all I've got for now. I'm still digging for more, Mr. Lennon. What are your thoughts so far?"

"Keep digging."

Trevon had been in Brookville four years ago, and Tania left Brookville just three years and seven months ago. That could not be a coincidence.

Meanwhile, as Peter and Brandon

went to get the car, Noelle stood with Tania at the hospital entrance Tania could not seem to take her

eyes off the direction Peter

gone Noelle tried to comfort-

"Tania, chill. Peter's not gonna let anything happen to Brandon."

"Sorry, I got carried away," Tania

said, her voice tinged with emotion.

She caught herself, realizing heret

words might have been too much. "I'm just... really on edge."

"No worries!" Noelle said with a reassuring shake of her head. Tania's nerves only confirmed that her connection with Peter was anything but ordinary.

"Tania?" A voice laced with surprise and disbelief cut through the air, stopping the exchange between Noelle and Tania.

Tania's brow creased at the sound. She turned to find Layla hobbling toward her, leaning on Jordan for support.

Despite her limp, Layla's face lit up at the sight of Tania. "Tania, it's me, Layla! Don't you remember?"

Tania squinted slightly and offered a half-smile. "You? How could I forget? Ms. Layla, you've been unforgettable since day one!" Tania's gaze then shifted to the man at Layla's side. "Mr. Langford, it's been a white!"

"Indeed it has, Tania!"