"We have fewer girls in the family, and that's why the girls are so precious. Chloe is one of the only two girls among all the boys. I can't help but shower Chloe with
attention."
Ben defended his favoritism and added, "I love my son. He's my kid, too. I care about them both."
"Sure you do, but you still favor Chloe over Connor anyway."
Ben pulled Jane into his arms and pressed her against his chest. He pleaded, "Yes,
I do favor Chloe a little more, and I've been for the last twenty years. At least, Connor took it well. Since Chloe is taking over the company, he can focus on what he wants to do in life. He spoils Chloe as much as I do, so let's leave it at that, okay?
"What do you need to pack for the trip? I'll handle the packing for you."
Jane pushed him away and said, "I don't have much to bring. The kids already have everything. I'll just take a few changes of clothes. It's not too late to pack an hour before I'm leaving."
"Ben, Ben."
Tim's voice interrupted the couple's talk. Soon, Tim emerged.
Lilian was right behind Tim, trying to grab his arm repeatedly to no avail.
"What's the matter?"
Ben glanced at Lilian and Tim.
"It's nothing, Ben. It's late, so we're getting out of your hair."
Lilian dragged Tim away, only for the latter to break free.
Tim went and sat across from Ben, his well-groomed face sulking.
He said, “Ben, Lilian is taking Jane to Laurence's, and she won't let me go along. She's ditching me to get some gossip."
Lilian was speechless. She snapped, “Tim, you're hardly young enough to act like a spoiled child. Can you drop this childish behavior? You're embarrassing."
Twenty years ago, Lilian would feel bad abandoning her crybaby son at home.
Now that Oliver was in his twenties and past the crying phase, Lilian and Tim were an old couple now. Still, Tim followed her around during trips. He even took things far by whining to Ben when he did not get his way.
Lilian was tempted to knock Tim unconscious and hauled him home. She ought to feed him enough tranquilizer to quiet him down for two days, so he would not go around telling everybody that she was leaving him.
Tim pulled a sad face.
Jane was dying to laugh but knew better.
Ben was in two minds about throwing something at Tim. However, he held back the urge when his gaze fell on Tim's hurt expression.
Back then, Oliver cried so much to the point that Tim and Lilian would threaten each other, saying that if either ever brought up divorce, they would drag the other down to the grave with them. They took turns with Oliver, one tapping in when the other had had enough. When both hit their limits, they would pass Oliver to a nanny.
Even the nannies quit, unable to handle Oliver's crying. Oliver went through more nannies than anyone else in the family.
Oliver loved clinging to the old legendary Doc. The late physician did not have issues taking care of Oliver as the latter was a perfect little angel under his watch. For that reason, the old legendary doctor would criticize Tim and Lilian for having no patience with childcare.
Lilian would vent in private that Oliver was rather manipulative, acting like a saint in front of the doctor. The moment the late physician turned away, Oliver was back to his crying little terror self.
"Oliver has grown up, Tim. Stop acting like before."
Ben said, “Jane is leaving me behind, too. Let the girls have their getaway. We, the husbands, should show grace and not be jealous."
Tim had no words.
He opened his mouth several times to say something, but no words came out. In the end, Lilian dragged him away. Despite his intention to stick around, Lilian threatened to give him a poison that would leave him powerless and delirious in bed if he did not leave.
Giving up his resistance, Tim allowed himself to be hauled away.
It was on him for marrying a wife who was just as great at fighting and in poison.
Tim's standing at home was non-existent.
Once Tim and Lilian were gone, Jane burst out laughing.