Silent Disappearance

Roxanne’s heart lurched to her throat and remained there as she hurried out of the airport. She kept turning at her shoulder to confirm he didn’t come after them.

Fortunately, his figure remained nowhere to be seen even after they exited the airport.

Roxanne could finally heave a sigh of relief.

The kids found it strange that she kept turning her head to glance behind them.

As Roxanne seemed anxious, they knew it wasn’t the time to ask questions. Without a word, they allowed her to drag them out obediently.

“Roxanne! Archie! Benny!” A woman called from afar.

The three of them lifted their heads and saw a lady dressed in a suit, waving at them happily as she made their way to them.

Roxanne relaxed gradually at the sight of the woman. Flashing a smile, she said, “Madilyn, it’s been so long!”

Madilyn Xander was her best friend back in university and was currently working as a doctor in her own family’s hospital.

Shortly after, Madilyn came to a stop before them and flung her arms around Roxanne. “You’re finally back home. I’ve missed you so much!” she said in a friendly manner.

Roxanne chuckled and replied, “I’ve missed you, too.”

They’ve been in touch over the years online but rarely got the chance to meet each other in real life.

After giving her a hug, Madilyn squatted down and pulled the boys into a hug. “My babies, do you miss me?”

Archie and Benny giggled adorably before answering in unison, “Of course we do! Aunt Madilyn, we even dreamed of you. You’re still as pretty as ever!”

“How sweet of you!” Madilyn beamed happily after hearing their praise.

Roxanne’s guard was still up. She glanced at the gate of the airport and said calmly, “Let’s go. We can talk back home.”

Madilyn gave the boys a peck each on their cheeks before getting to her feet. After placing the luggage in her car truck, she ushered them into her car and sped away.

At the same time, Lucian appeared at the gate of the airport.

“Cancel my schedule overseas,” he told his assistant, Cayden Lawson.

Cayden gave a brief nod in acknowledgment. “Mr. Farwell, we’ve widened the search for Ms. Estella. She’s young and can’t go far. Don’t worry.”

Ms. Estella is Mr. Farwell’s darling daughter. It’s more crucial to find her. His work overseas isn’t as important in this situation.

Lucian’s gaze turned dark as he strode toward the Maybach parked by the road.

Soon, the car drove away.

An hour later, Madilyn’s car arrived in Durwest Garden. It was a residential area full of mansions.

Roxanne had asked for Madilyn’s help to rent a place, and this was the house that Madilyn had gotten her.

The four of them hopped out of the car and entered the new house under Madilyn’s lead.

“The surroundings seem nice. I like this place.”

Satisfied, Roxanne turned to look at Madilyn. “You’re quite efficient, huh?”

Madilyn arched a brow. “I’m your neighbor. The owner of this house moved to the capital and wanted to rent this place out. I happened to stumble upon it. Whenever we’re free, we can visit each other’s places.”

Roxanne’s lips curved as she bobbed her head in agreement.

After she unpacked their stuff briefly, it was time for dinner.

Hence, Madilyn brought them out for dinner.

She had just driven into the restaurant’s parking lot and was about to park her car when a little girl ran out of a dark corner.

Madilyn slammed on the brakes before her car could hit the little girl. In shock, she stared at the little girl who had collapsed to the ground.

Roxanne’s heart was racing at the near accident, too. She turned to make sure her boys were fine before opening the door to get out.

There was a young girl around five years old mere inches away from the car. She sat on the ground, clearly in a state of shock.

Roxanne felt her heart soften at the sight. She made her way to the girl carefully before asking, “Hey, are you hurt?”

The young girl had a fair complexion and looked sweet with her hair braided up. She had a tall nose, huge eyes, and delicate features. Dressed in a pink fluffy dress, she hugged an expensive doll in her arms.

Hearing Roxanne’s voice, the little girl regained her composure and shook her head shyly. She didn’t forget to eye Roxanne warily.

Roxanne’s heart stirred as she observed the little girl silently. After confirming that the little girl was unharmed, she heaved a sigh of relief inwardly and reached out to help the little girl up.

She had just stretched her hand out when the little girl cowered back in fear.

Roxanne’s hand paused midair. Flashing an assuring smile, she explained, “Don’t worry. I just want to help you up.”

Glancing around, she asked doubtfully, “Where are your parents? Why are you alone?”

The young girl hugged her doll tightly and shook her head without uttering a word.

Roxanne’s brows snapped together, for she had no idea how to communicate with the girl.

Madilyn and the boys soon got out of the car.

Archie and Benny shared a curious look when they noticed the little girl remaining silent the entire while.

She looks cute. Why isn’t she talking? Could she be a mute?

The same thought popped up in Roxanne’s mind. Is this little girl a mute?

Her sympathy for the little girl increased. In a gentle voice, she asked, “Can you give me your hand?”

With that, she stretched her hand outward.

Despite staring at her timidly, the little girl seemed to be less rigid after hearing her words.

Roxanne waited patiently for the little girl to accept her hand.

After a long hesitation, the little girl finally reached out to take Roxanne’s hand cautiously.

Seeing that, Roxanne held her hand gently and helped her up. She didn’t forget to check the little girl again for any injuries.

Because of her action, they got physically closer to each other.

The little girl felt soft and fluffy. She even smelled like milk.

Roxanne couldn’t help but recall her daughter, who was a stillborn baby.

If she were to grow up well, she’d be around this little girl’s age.

As that thought surfaced in her mind, Roxanne was overcome with heartache and regret.

As if sensing her emotions, the little girl stayed put and gazed at her quietly.

I know I shouldn’t talk to strangers, but this lady is really pretty. Strangely, I feel the urge to get close to her.

At that moment, Madilyn remarked, “Oh, what an adorable young girl. She’s as adorable as our boys!”

Roxanne nodded in agreement. “I believe she got lost. Let’s send her to the police station and see if we can get in contact with her family.”

Right after she said that, the young girl gave her a slight tug.

Roxanne looked down in confusion.

The little girl was shaking her head profusely, her eyes turning red. She seemed like she was about to dissolve into tears any minute.

Clearly, the little girl didn’t want her to do that.

Seeing the girl’s distraught expression really tugged at Roxanne’s heartstrings.

She had no other choice, though. If she didn’t send the little girl to the police station in time, she might be accused of kidnapping the latter.

Roxanne was in a dilemma.

“All right. We don’t have to go to the police station.” She squatted down and tried to negotiate with the little girl. “Do you have your parents’ phone number? I can call them so they can come here to pick you up.”

The little girl stopped shaking her head, but she slumped in dejection instead.

As she didn’t respond, Roxanne a*sumed she didn’t have her parents’ number. She was about to send her to the police station when the little girl moved.

Roxanne watched as she pulled out a pencil and a post-it note. She then scribbled a phone number with the word “Daddy” behind it before handing the note to Roxanne.

After taking the note from her, Roxanne punched in the number belonging to the little girl’s dad.

“Oh, she’s indeed mute,” Archie and Benny muttered under their breaths.

Roxanne stiffened and shot her sons a warning look. “Don’t be rude to her.”

The boys straightened their backs and gave the little girl guilty smiles.

Glancing at them, the little girl inched nearer to Roxanne instinctively and reached out to grab the corner of Roxanne’s dress.

However, Roxanne didn’t notice that as she was busy double-checking the phone number before making the call.

Back in the Farwell residence, Lucian strode into the mansion angrily. “Is Essie back?”

The butler came to welcome him. Wearing a worried expression, he said, “No. I didn’t see Ms. Estella around.”

After saying that, he realized the temperature surrounding his employer had dropped drastically.

Lucian’s lips thinned as he furrowed his brows.

I’ve searched everywhere I could. Where could she be? Did something happen to her?

As that possibility occurred to him, a faint gleam of malice shone in his eyes. It appeared as if he wanted nothing more than to destroy the entire world.

Right then, a lady clad in thick makeup hurried into the mansion and asked anxiously, “Lucian, I heard Essie went missing? Is it true? Did you find her?”

The lady was none other than Aubree, the one whom Lucian wanted to marry previously.

Nevertheless, Lucian kept his authoritative aura before her. “She’s still missing. Now that you’re here, I’d like to know what you told Essie this afternoon. Why would she run away from home for no reason?”

Aubree seemed surprised to hear his question as she stared at him incredulously. “Lucian, what are you saying? Are you saying I did something to Essie?”

Seemingly hurt, she added, “I did nothing to her! Never mind if someone else misunderstands me. You’ve seen how I treated her dearly over the years! Even though Essie treated me coldly, I didn’t mind and took good care of her. I never yelled at her. No way would I do something to make her run away from home!”

With her red-rimmed eyes and innocent expression, she was trying hard to convince Lucian that she had nothing to do with Estella’s disappearance.

Deep down, she wanted nothing more than for the mute little girl to disappear forever.

Indeed, she was harsh to Estella that afternoon. She also told the little girl that she would give birth to more adorable children after she married Lucian.

By then, Lucian would no longer adore Estella.

As Estella couldn’t talk, Aubree wasn’t afraid that the former would complain about her behavior to Lucian.

However, she had no idea that Estella would end up running away from home.

This is great! It will be better if she can’t return. That way, I won’t have to see her again!