Estella had lived with them for a period of time.She had seen a variety of figurines in their rooms, so she knew how much they would like the gift.Yet it seemed to take them forever to receive the gift.She nudged them and urged, “You like these, don’t you?” They tried putting up a stern face to deny her statement, but looking at the figurines, they just couldn’t say it out loud.Eventually, they relented and said, “It’s too expensive.Mommy won’t let us take it.” Estella didn’t expect them to reject her.They also brought up their mother.She pouted, lowered her eyes and stood pitifully before them, looking as if she would start crying at any moment.Seeing that, they exchanged a look and said hastily, “Since it is from Essie, we will take it.Please help us thank Uncle Lucian.” Only then did Estella start to smile again.Roxanne continued her work at the research institute the second day after she returned from Bellridge.When she was away for the past two days, she asked Colby to
After dinner, Roxanne and Colby went separate ways, returning to their own homes.When Roxanne arrived home, Lysa had fetched the two kids back.They were playing with Legos on the carpet.Archive and Benny immediately surrounded Roxanne when they saw her enter.Roxanne patted their heads and asked concernedly, “Have you two taken your meals?”They nodded obediently and blinked their eyes at her.“Mommy, Ms.Ward said she’s bringing us to plant trees this weekend.” Roxanne was slightly taken aback at the mention of that matter.She gazed downward and beamed at her children.“Yes.I know that.” With that, she pretended to be nonchalant and entered the living room.Archie and Benny trailed behind their mother and followed her to the side of thecarpet.She crouched down and fiddled with the partially-built Lego pieces as a conflicted look spread across her face.She pondered the whole journey on her way back.In the end, she was left with the same conclusion.She might run into Lucian or
Estella lowered her head and muttered aggrievedly, “Ms.Jarvis…”She yearned to meet with Roxanne.Hearing Estella’s words, Lucian’s face darkened instantaneously.He had been too occupied lately, so he had not considered Roxanne would also participate in that activity.However, at the thought of how Roxanne was evading him, Lucian highly doubted she would personally bring Archie and Benny to join the event.He figured Roxanne might even disallow them to go altogether.The screen of his phone lighted up.Pippa sent a message in the WhatsApp group: No guardian has texted me in private thus far, so I assume everyone will be coming.This activity will enhance the bond between children and their parents.I’ll take this opportunity to wish everyone a great time in advance.The screen slowly dimmed afterward.Lucian’s resolution wavered.He patted Estella’s head and croaked, “I got it.It was weekend soon. Roxanne brought the kids to the kindergarten early in the morning.That was the first
Lucian strode over through the crowd without Roxanne realizing it.Standing in front of her, Lucian gazed down at her with an unfathomable look on his face.“Essie, Ms.Jarvis has to take care of Archie and Benny.Let’s not bother her,” Lucian uttered in a hoarse voice after a few moments and bent down to hold Estella’s hand.Feeling reluctant to leave, Estella turned sideways to avoid her father’s hand.Then, she inched closer to Roxanne and said stubbornly, “I want to stay with Ms.Jarvis.” Lucian and Roxanne’s expressions froze after seeing Estella’s reaction.Many people around them had been keeping an eye on Lucian’s every movement.As a result, they were all staring in Roxanne’s direction.Panic surged within her like vomit.When she made the decision to join the activity with Archie and Benny, Roxanne had actually anticipated something like that would happen.Still, she did not know how to react when she was stuck in that awkward situation.According to her plan, she should have
After taking Estella, Roxanne now had to carry two children on her lap.Hence, her seat was getting a little cramped.Furrowing his brows, Lucian said softly, “Let me take Archie.” Roxanne was taken aback upon hearing that.Thinking of Archie’s relationship with Lucian, she felt conflicted.Moreover, she had noted how her son resented Lucian and didn’t think Archie would agree, especially since Archie was usually cold and indifferent.But to her surprise, the boy in her arms actually stretched his arms toward Lucian.Roxanne’s and Lucian’s expressions shifted as soon as they saw Archie’s response.S A hint of surprise flashed across Lucian’s eyes as he had not expected Archie to agree to his offer.Then, he reached out and carried the boy over.As for Roxanne, she lowered her gaze as an inexplicable sense of fear rose within her.Archie only did that because he did not want Roxanne to tire herself out.Although he had stretched his arms toward Lucian, his expression was tense.And onc
By the time they settled in their room, it was already nighttime. Pippa led the parents to the restaurant the botanical garden had arranged for them.Roxanne took Archie and Benny to get their food.There were far more employees of the botanical garden at the restaurant than when they first got off the bus, and Estella did not like that.She followed closely behind Roxanne, never taking her eyes off the latter.Roxanne turned around when she sensed Estella’s gaze, and a pained look appeared in her eyes upon noticing the girl’s timid expression.She immediately let Archie and Benny hold hands, thus allowing her to free one hand to take Estella’s.Seeing Roxanne reach her hand out toward her, Estella took it without hesitation, her eyes crinkling as she beamed.All signs of timidness had vanished from her face without a trace.Lucian was still worried about Estella, so he followed her.Then, he saw Roxanne and Estella holding hands, and mixed feelings surged within him as he walked behi
Mr.Farwell only interacts with you for the sake of his child.Don’t have any ideas about weaseling your way into the Farwell family.”Roxanne’s head pounded inadvertently at the woman’s words.knew running into Lucian here was catnip for unsavory comments.I just didn’t think it would come so soon.“You must be mistaken about the situation…” Roxanne tried to explain.Alas, the woman cut her off disgustedly and retorted, “Mistaken? Everyone knows how much time you’re spending with Mr.Farwell these days.Know your place, Ms. Jarvis! Mr. Farwell’s fiancée is Ms.Pearson, and their relationship is stronger than ever.I hope you don’t humiliate yourself in this hopeless scheme to win Mr.The mention of Lucian and Aubree’s impending wedding caused Roxanne to lower her gaze. She swallowed the retort on the tip of her tongue and replied to the nasty woman, “Thank you for your advice.I’ll be more mindful in the future.” The woman took Roxanne’s meekness as a sign of her victory.She made a ment
Suddenly, Estella tugged on Roxanne’s hand and said, “Over here!” Roxanne followed Estella through a complicated route and was surprised to see the boys hiding behind a man made hill.“How did you know Archie and Benny were hiding here, Essie?” asked a surprised Roxanne.The boys always hid in the most creative places, and Roxanne had always struggled to find them during their hide-and seek sessions.She never imagined Estella would find them so easily.Estella tilted her head and replied, “I don’t know.It was a guess.” Roxanne did not think much of Estella’s response and promptly believed her.By the time Lucian, Roxanne, and the children returned to their rooms, it was already nine at night. Archie and Benny were dripping in sweat from playing hide-and-seek earlier.Roxanne quickly ushered the boys into the bathroom to shower them once they got back.Their playful chatter drifted out of the bathroom from time to time.From where she sat on the bed, Estella stared at the bathroom do