The Cherished Wife



"It's here."

Peter opened the study door, motioning for Tania to step inside. She walked in and realized the room's layout was exactly as it had been years ago, right after she and Peter got married. Nothing had changed in the entire Five Elements Residence.

Peter noticed her reaction but said nothing, only gesturing for her to sit. "Go on. If you're here to tell me to give up, I'm not interested in listening."

Tania opened her mouth, hesitating. "It's about Brandon."

Peter paused, a flicker of concern crossing his gaze.

"I need you to look into something."

"Tell me," he said.

"A year ago, Brandon was kidnapped. Ever since, he has shown unusual behavior for a child his age. I was worried something was wrong, so I took him to see a psychologist. The doctor said he'd been traumatized and was showing signs of... emotional instability and some developmental delays." Emotional instability? Developmental delays? Peter frowned. Could it really be that serious?

However, in the time he had spent with Brandon lately, he had not seen anything out of the ordinary. Brandon seemed just like any other child. "Do you think I'm lying to you? I honestly thought I might have been mistaken too. Brandon's been so normal with you... So normal that I almost forgot he had any issues.

"But back then, he would go blank and even ramble nonsensically. Do you know why I was afraid to take him to an amusement park? It was because that was where he was abducted. I tried a few times after, but he had always reacted with such resistance."noveldrama

"What do you want me to do?" Peter asked, his brows furrowed. "Do you want an evaluation for Brandon, or do you want to investigate what happened back then? You were with Jack, weren't you? When Brandon was taken, what did he do?"

Jack? Tania's expression darkened. "Jack wasn't around when Brandon was kidnapped. I never even told him."

Peter narrowed his eyes. "I'll look into it."

"Thank you." Tania breathed a sigh of relief, though Peter seemed slightly irritated by her tone.

"Brandon is my son too."

"I..." Tania hesitated, intending to say Brandon was not his son. However, with Peter's knowing look, the words would not come out. There was no way he would believe something like that.

"I know you're still holding onto what happened three years ago, but believe me, I'll get to the bottom of it. And as for Brandon... He looks exactly like me. I'm not blind.

"A paternity test is just a piece of paper. If that's what you need for proof, you know I can get one easily enough, but I'd rather not." Peter looked intently at her. "Tania give me time."

For the first time, Tania found herself unable to argue against his words.

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She felt increasingly lost, wondering if these past three years away had been a mistake. Perhaps those years had been part of a plot. After all, why was it that the one who saved her had been Peter's uncle?

"Let's go downstairs for dinner."

"Peter!" she called after him. "Don't tell my cousin about Brandon's situation for now."

Peter narrowed his eyes. "Alright."

After all, Brandon was his son, and this was his responsibility.

Although Charles was his friend and Tania's cousin, Peter could not help but feel a little jealous. Tania and Brandon were his, after all.

Tania was unaware of Peter's inner thoughts. She only wanted to avoid worrying her cousin and mother, especially with Nancy's condition at such a critical stage. She just could not risk it.