The Secret Successor

CHAPTER 07

Four days later.

The Bennett family members were having a wonderful breakfast. Arnold, Jennifer, and their kids, James and Viola, were all in a good mood. James was 19, and Viola was 20. James got his mother’s features, and his face was more oval compared to Viola who got her dad’s features. She had a sharp physique compared to him.

Russell came walking down the stairs slowly and occupied his seat. Russell’s biological mother was a foreigner, so he had a different skin complexion and facial structure compared to his step-siblings.

Russell didn't greet anyone, and he looked dull.

“Brother Russell? Why are you acting a bit strangely since yesterday?” Violo asked, looking a little worried. “Did you hurt your foot or something? Is everything alright?”

Russell didn’t say anything.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Viola pressed him for an answer.

James nudged his sister and whispered, “Maybe he’s got a rash or something. Women aren’t the only ones who get moody every once in a while or feel embarrassed to reveal such things.”

“Ahem,” Viola cleared her throat and touched Russell’s hand. “You’re going to heal soon, Brother. Don’t worry.”

Russell briefly glanced at his father who wasn’t even looking at him.

Viola looked at her mother and pleaded, “Mom, Brother Russell isn’t a kid. He’s what? 26 now? You don’t have to room-arrest him.”

“It’s all for his good, Viola,” Jennifer reasoned. “You think I like doing it? But it’s all part of disciplining one’s children.”

“But you never room-arrested me, though?” Viola argued.

“So you want me to discipline you as well? Fine. I’ll do it from now on.”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant, Mom,” Viola put her focus back on eating.

Russell was trying to eat, but the food wasn’t going down his throat any easily. He silently walked out of the house, even though Viola called for him and told him to sit.

Jennifer asked her husband in a low voice, “Is it okay to let him go out like that?”

“You don’t need to worry,” Arnold assured, though he wasn’t looking at her. “He’s learned his lesson.”

“Haha, so two days of room-arrest did the trick, huh.”

Arnold didn’t say anything. After finishing his meal, Arnold came out through the main door and dialed the number. “Jefferson. How are you doing?”

“I should be the one asking that question,” Jefferson asked with a little tense voice. “How’s your son doing?”

“He’s not speaking a word, but he’ll come around.. right?”

“I did my best to hypnotize him. I still think we rushed it, though.”

“Well, time wasn’t on our side.”

“Mm. But I must say it was a very close call,” Jefferson hadn’t taken a breath in the past half minute. “He was so close to slipping into a coma when we entered his room. If we were any late, things could have gotten a lot trickier.”

“Yeah,” just thinking about it gave Arnold goosebumps. “Who would have thought he’d take sleeping pills? He’s become such a coward. He should learn from Elora on how to absorb stress. She is a sponge when it comes to taking stress. I’m afraid Russell didn’t get that attribute from me or from his mother.”

“Well, it’s God who makes children in the womb, not us. Anyway, let’s hope everything turns out well,” Jefferson hoped. “I wish you good luck. And don’t forget about me after shaking hands and sharing drinks with Liam Lynn.”

“Haha, how could I?”

“And always have someone watch over your son, as he might react in ways we can’t predict.”

“Sure.” Arnold ended the call, and his expression turned serious, which was his usual face. Perro came up to him and rubbed its head to his leg. When it licked his foot, he got irritated and kicked the dog in the face. It backed away for a bit and made a sad face. He brought his hand closer, and it started licking his hand. “Why can’t Russell be like you? Why does he make life difficult for his father?”

Meanwhile, Russell traveled forty miles in his father's car and reached a clifftop.

He stood at the end and kept staring down as sadness seized his heart. And he jumped.