“It's time you go back, Ms. York. I'll wash Grandma's clothes.”
Tim went to the bathroom door, wanting to take over the chore of washing Mary's clothes.
“I'm not leaving. I'll be staying to keep you both company tonight. Also, I'll wash Mdm. Mary's clothes. You go out and keep her company instead,” Arissa replied smilingly.
Tim bit his bottom lip, not quite sure what to say upon seeing that she was still washing the clothes.
Arissa turned her head slightly and looked at him. “What do you want to say to me?”
As his eyes met her earnest gaze, Tim shook his head.
“Sweetheart, hurry up and go to bed. Kids have to sleep early to grow tall and strong. I'll also rest when I'm done with all this,” Arissa urged gently so that he didn't have to waste his time here with her.
“Come here, Tim! I've got something to say to you!”
Hearing Mary's holler from the bathroom, Arissa leaned out and interjected, “Why don't you put that on the back burner first, Mdm. Mary? It's late now.”
She was worried that it would affect Tim's sleep, so she felt that it was better for them to talk another day.
Mary glanced at her. On second thought, she also felt that it would be better to talk sometime later.
At that precise moment, Benjamin came in with the children.
“It's late, so go back and rest. Mary needs to rest, too!” he said to Arissa.
With her eyes pinned on him, Arissa stated, “I'm staying here tonight.”
All at once, a frown marred Benjamin's countenance. He gestured for her to step out.
Seeing that he had gone out, Arissa reckoned that he might want to say something to her, so she washed the foam off her hands before stepping out as well.
“What do you want to say to me?”
“Take the children back to rest. I'll stay here tonight, so don't worry.”
Benjamin stared at her fixedly.
Meanwhile, Arissa looked the man up and down. “You haven't rested for a day and a night, no?”
Benjamin was busy searching for their child last night before rushing back to Dellmoor during the day, so he hadn't had any rest.
At her remark, Benjamin arched an eyebrow and stepped closer to her, the gap between them so negligible that she could smell the alluring smell of him.
Her heartbeat started racing.
“How did you know that?”
Meeting the man's ebony eyes, Arissa swallowed, her gaze shifty.
She stole a peek at Benjamin's handsome countenance.
“Hmm?”
Benjamin leaned over, his gaze scorching.
Arissa's face flushed bright red. “Didn't you say that you were searching for our child last night? Then, it goes without saying that you didn't sleep!”
Benjamin continued staring at her intently, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. Well, well... She's still not admitting to it, huh?
“You stayed up late as well last night. What were you doing?”
Snorting softly, Arissa fibbed, “I was also searching for our son!”
Benjamin sniggered, causing embarrassment to deluge Arissa.
“Were you not following me?”
Benjamin lifted her chin, his gaze dark as night.
At his question, Arissa choked. Oh God, he knows!
“I was following my son's leads, not you!”
Quirking an eyebrow, Benjamin pinched her face with his long and slender fingers.
“Take the children back to rest!”
Arissa cast a glance at him, and asserted, “I want to stay and keep Tim company!”
“There's no rush. I'll talk to him. Are you not going to bother about Gavin and the rest anymore?”
Benjamin's brows furrowed.
Conversely, Arissa was startled. After coming over, all her attention was on Tim, so she neglected her other five children.
“They've got you to watch over them, haven't they? I-”
Benjamin's attitude abruptly turned hard. “Go back and rest. Or do you want me to have the bodyguards escort you?”
Arissa was rendered speechless.
“You didn't sleep either, but I slept the day away!”
“My body can take it even if I don't sleep for a few days and nights. Can you do the same?”
Benjamin harrumphed.
At that, Arissa pursed her lips.
“Go back and have a good sleep. Don't have the kids worry about you.”
Benjamin's voice had gentled slightly then.
Glancing at him, Arissa relented, “All right, then. I'll go back. However, I've got to wash Mdm. Mary's clothes first.”
Benjamin's brows creased deeply once more. “The caregiver will be coming over in a while, so you don't need to do that anymore.”
“You hired a caregiver?”
Arissa didn't expect him to be so thoughtful that he even thought of hiring a caregiver for Mary.
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