“Mr. Farwell, didn’t you ask people to watch over me? If none of them find anything suspicious, it’s impossible for me to have anyone in mind.”
The crease between Lucian’s brows deepened. He stayed silent after hearing her words.
It’s because I sent someone to spy on Cory as well. That’s why Cory stops appearing around Roxanne. However, I didn’t find anything suspicious about him.
Roxanne remarked, “I don’t feel anything unusual during this time. Moreover, Estella is now back at your place. I think it’s safe for you to send your people away.”
After all, she had only agreed for Lucian to arrange for people to keep an eye out on them to ensure Estella’s safety.
Now that Estella had gone back, there was no need for that anymore.
Lucian wanted to reject her request instinctively, worried that Roxanne might get into danger if he dismissed the men around her.
However, something popped into his mind, changing his thoughts. It’s a futile attempt for me to tail both sides. I might never be able to find out the person behind this. Instead of remaining at this impasse, I might as well reveal a flaw to them.
With that thought in mind, Lucian said, “Okay. I’ll ask them to leave soon.”
Hearing how Lucian agreed almost instantly, she could not help but feel a queer feeling arise within her.
It took several seconds for her to finally suppress her peculiar sensation.
Roxanne stayed silent for a long while before saying, “I’ll be busy with work these days, so I might not be able to take care of Essie. Could you please help me with that if Essie looks for me?”
Her words caused Lucian to furrow his brows deeply.
There she goes again with this excuse. She’s trying to use work to avoid me and Essie again!
The images of Estella crying pitifully just now occurred to him, and he could feel anger stirring within him.
Roxanne did not expect any reply from him. She added, “This project is important to me. I hope you understand, Mr. Farwell.”
Upon hearing the mention of the project, Lucian could not help but think of the Damaris family, as it was a project led by them.
Why did she bring that up? That means she’ll be hanging around with Jack often again!
Rage quickened Lucian’s blood. He could not contain his frustration and responded in a blunt tone, “Yes. I understand that you’ll be occupied with work. I’ll tell Essie about that and ask her to behave well!”
With that, Lucian hung up the phone.
Just when Roxanne was about to say something, the call got disconnected.
She felt utterly helpless as she watched her phone screen fade to black.
I have to keep a distance from Essie. This is the only way I can protect her for now.
Just as the call ended and before Roxanne could recollect herself, someone knocked on the bedroom door. “Mommy!” When she opened the door, she was greeted by two lively boys.
The boys had been waiting in their room for the entire afternoon, but their mother never came out to call them. Thus, they came out themselves.
Suppressing the strange feelings in her chest, Roxanne forced a smile at the two boys. Nevertheless, Archie and Benny were sensitive to her emotions, and they instantly figured out that she looked upset.
Benny carefully tugged the hem of his mother’s shirt and asked, “Mommy, what’s wrong?” At the same time, Archie was quietly watching her from the side, seemingly trying to decipher something by studying her face.
Roxanne put on a nonchalant smile and said, “It’s nothing. I just had a nightmare earlier.” Hearing that, Benny shared a look with his brother.
It was clear that both boys did not believe her. Roxanne could see their suspicions, but there was nothing she could do about that.
She could never notice when the boys were putting on an act, but the boys could always figure out right away if anything happened to her.
“Is it because of Grandma?” Archie asked, cocking his head to the side. Even though Mommy didn’t show it earlier, Grandma’s words were indeed quite hurtful.
The way the boy called Sonya made Roxanne freeze for a moment. Grandma. Yes, that’s the way the boys should call Sonya if they know about their history. If not for me trying to keep things under wrap, Sonya would not have said such cruel words to the boys.
Roxanne gazed at Archie and Benny with an apologetic look. “Didn’t Mommy say not to take Grandma’s words to heart? All we need is for Essie to like us.”
Archie carefully held his mother’s finger and shook it.
Also, once Mommy gets back together with Daddy, Grandma’s impression of us will surely change. But I don’t think we’ll like her as much.
Every time the boys called Sonya “Grandma,” Roxanne’s heart skipped a beat.
She said, “Remember that you have to call her Mrs. Farwell, not Grandma.”
The boys looked at their mother in confusion and asked, “Why?”
Traces of guilt flashed past Roxanne’s eyes as she ruffled the boys’ hair. “That’s because… she’s not your real grandma. You can only call your real grandma that.”
For a brief second, the boys’ expressions changed when they heard her, but they soon schooled their faces back to a neutral look.
“Okay, we’ll keep that in mind.”
We know our history, but since Mommy wants us to call her that instead, we’ll do as she says.
Roxanne finally let out a sigh of relief at their agreement. “I’ll be busy with work these days, so I might not be able to pick you up. You have to be good kids and listen to Ms. Lane, okay?”
Lysa had just returned from her leave, and Roxanne was taking the opportunity to keep a distance from Estella.
Hearing that, the boys thought about how their mother corrected the way they called Sonya and realized what was going on.
Mommy’s going to avoid Daddy and Essie again. And yet she says it’s not because of Grandma’s words…
“But if Essie starts crying…”
Benny could understand why his mother was doing that, but he was still worried about Estella.
Roxanne lowered her gaze. “I’ll have to ask you to help me coax Essie, then.”
While she needed to keep a distance from Estella, the boys did not.
The next few days, Roxanne did not send the children or pick them up because of her work. Like the previous time, the boys would come back and hint to her about how upset Estella was to not see her.
Although Roxanne’s heart ached whenever she heard that, she said nothing about it. One night, as usual, the children waited for their parents to pick them up after school
Estella stared at the two boys. Without even needing her to say anything, the boys knew what she was going to say. Her question would be none other than when their mother was going to come.
Estella’s continuous stares throughout the past few days could burn a hole in their faces at this rate. However, they could not do anything if their mother did not give them her permission.
Not long after, Lysa appeared in the line for parents. Estella looked away in disappointment. Archie and Benny did not leave immediately. They waited until Lucian’s car appeared before leaving with Lysa.
“Daddy,” Estella miserably called out as she watched her father come closer to her. Lucian was slow, and as he walked to her, he swept his gaze around Estella.
Seemingly knowing what her father was looking for, Estella mumbled, “Ms. Lane has picked up Archie and Benny.”
Lucian stopped looking around and stood before the girl, saying nothing else as he took her hand.
After greeting Pippa, Lucian brought Estella into the car.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.