“Is your stomach aching badly? Do you want me to carry you?”Roxanne, who had come to the staircase, knelt down in concern and looked into Benny’s eyes.Benny cracked a mischievous yet gleeful smile. “It stopped hurting a long while ago, but I could sense that you felt like leaving early.”From the moment Mommy saw Daddy and the wicked woman at the elevator just now, there was a drastic change in her mood.Furthermore, when they were blocked in the corridor by Lucian, he could clearly feel the hostility Roxanne exuded.Coincidentally, both he and Archie resented the sight of Lucian, hence the excuse to get Roxanne to leave.Upon hearing Benny’s words, the relieved yet amused Roxanne gave his nose a playful scratch. “Next time, don’t scare me by telling me that you have a stomach ache while being sick. Instead, you should just say that you’re tired.”Roxanne was given a fright by Benny earlier. If not for the urge to avoid further interaction with Lucian, she would have brought Benny b
Upon emerging from the stairwell, Aubree, with a drastic change in her expression, hurriedly walked into the washroom. Gritting her teeth, she gently knocked her plaster-casted arm against the wall. The impact was instantly followed by her face writhing in agonizing pain. When she subsequently checked the time and saw that it was the usual hour for Sonya’s visit, Aubree rushed back up the stairs to her ward.The tremendous pain in her arm, plus climbing six to seven flights of stairs in a single breath, caused Aubree to be covered in sweat upon returning to her ward.Lucian, who was waiting inside, was about to call her when he heard the commotion beyond the door. After watching Roxanne leave with the children, he went to the orthopedic department to look for Aubree. When he didn’t find her there, he decided to return to her ward, where she was still nowhere to be seen.“Lucian, you’re back.” There was a hint of desolation in her voice.Lucian simply nodded. “Where did you go?”Aubre
Since it was already late when she stepped out of the hospital, Sonya headed back to the Farwell residence in spite of her anger. I must demand an explanation from Roxanne over what happened and also give her a stern warning. As for what to say, I’ll have to give it proper thought first.That night, Sonya didn’t sleep a wink, for her mind was entirely occupied by the matter.The next morning, Sonya had a simple breakfast before getting the driver to send her to Roxanne’s house.Meanwhile, Roxanne was having breakfast with the children.Benny, who was feeling much better after taking his medication, was enjoying his breakfast very much.When she saw how he had returned to his energetic self, Roxanne sighed to herself in relief.Just when she planned to take them to the research institute after breakfast, an unexpected guest arrived.Amidst the children having breakfast, Roxanne got up to get the door upon hearing the doorbell ring.At the sight of the visitor, Roxanne’s heart sank. Sh
Naturally, Sonya, too, heard their exchange. Nevertheless, she, having long decided to have her son marry Aubree, had warned Roxanne off and wasn’t worried that the latter would disobey.As a result, she couldn’t care less about their interaction and continued to sip her coffee elegantly.When Sonya heard Roxanne’s leaving footsteps, a contemptuous smile descended upon her face.Disgraceful women can always be easily frightened away. Furthermore, there’s no way I’m going to allow such a woman to marry into the Farwell family.“Have a seat.” Sonya finally turned around to give Lucian a look as she invited him to sit.The frowning Lucian, whose eyes were burning with suppressed anger, strode up to his mother and sat down.The cup of untouched coffee in front of him was ordered by Roxanne earlier.Playing back in his mind the words she said to his mother a while ago, Lucian deepened his frown.“Waiter, please get us another cup of what I’m having.” Sonya raised her hand at the waiter. “
In other words, Lucian would not tie the knot with Aubree. Sonya could not help but ma*sage her temples while shooting daggers at her son. “Did you come here this early in the morning just to upset me?”Lucian remained unperturbed. “I can send you to the hospital if you’re feeling unwell, but there’s no way you can force me to marry Aubree.”Both mother and son kept mum for some time.Sonya waved her hand and gestured for him to leave. “Go. Get out of my sight.”Lucian nodded. Before leaving, he said, “I’ve stationed a few men by the door. Call them if you need their help.”Before Sonya could react, Lucian had left the café.“Heading back to the office now, Mr. Farwell?” the driver asked with respect when Lucian got into the car.Lucian knitted his brows. Roxanne’s house flashed across his mind. I wonder how she’s doing now. Did she mean what she said just now?Lucian went deep in thought but eventually snapped out of it. He replied to the driver, “Back to the office.”The car starte
Pippa heard Estella’s sobs as soon as she entered the cla*sroom. She quickly looked over, only to see the little girl crying her heart out with a tearful face. “What’s wrong, Essie?” Pippa hurried to the little girl’s side.Estella simply continued crying without saying a word.Beside her, Yoel obediently stood up and explained the situation to Pippa, “Ms. Ward, when cla*s was over, I wanted to invite Estella to play, but I seemed to have scared her.”Soon, someone could not stand it and spoke up for Yoel. “It was Estella who hit Yoel first, but she ended up crying herself.”Pippa listened to the children’s words, and understanding dawned upon her.Having been Estella’s teacher for such a long time, she naturally was aware of the girl’s condition. Moreover, she had also noticed Estella’s gloomy mood for the past two days.It should be as Yoel said. He scared Essie, so she hit him.At that thought, Pippa looked at Yoel with concern. “Where did Estella hit you? Are you okay? Let me hav
After asking a few more questions out of concern, Pippa checked the time and appeared troubled. Although she agreed to excuse Estella from school, she did not take any leave, and it was not good to stay outside for too long.“Since you’ve visited Archie and Benny, Essie, let’s go back,” Pippa asked the little girl for her opinion.However, Estella stared at Roxanne and the boys, pursed her lips, and shook her head.Seeing Estella’s reaction, Pippa knew it would not be easy for her to take the little girl back that day. Not knowing what to do, she could only shoot Roxanne a beseeching look.Roxanne smiled at her. “Let Essie stay. I’ll send her home later. You can go off first.”Hearing those words, Pippa sighed with relief and got up to say goodbye.Roxanne and the children saw Pippa out before returning to the living room.Estella clutched the woman’s hand tightly the entire time and did not want to let go even though her hand was sweating.Although Roxanne’s heart softened at the si
Roxanne felt even more conflicted when she heard the tiny, adorable voice in her ear.Roxanne felt even more conflicted when she heard the tiny, adorable voice in her ear. I knew it. I knew Essie was highly empathic and would’ve realized I was distancing myself from Lucian. That’s why she had visited me the last couple of times without letting him know. Am I truly that important to her?Upon seeing how pitiful Estella was, Archie and Benny couldn’t help but put in a good word for her.“Mommy, since Essie came alone, why don’t you let her play with us for a bit more?” Benny pleaded as he tugged at Roxanne’s sleeve.“Mommy, Mr. Farwell wouldn’t come looking for her so soon,” Archie chimed in. “Let Essie stay here a little longer!”Roxanne stayed silent for quite some time, not knowing what to say.Estella, on the other hand, buried herself in Roxanne’s embrace. Afraid that the latter might reject her, she kept her gaze lowered, not daring to make eye contact.Roxanne glanced at her boy