Upon realizing Roxanne didn’t feel any animosity towards her, Estella leaped into her arms happily. Smiling, Roxanne wrapped her arms around Estella and asked gently, “Why are you with Archie and Benny?”
Hearing her question, Archie and Benny exchanged a sheepish glance before directing their gaze toward Estella.
Should we let Essie tell Mommy we sneaked her out, or should we tell her ourselves? It has been a while since Mommy and Essie last met. She won’t get mad at Essie!
Estella didn’t disappoint them, for she quickly revealed, “Archie and Benny came to visit me. I wanted to visit you, so I asked them to bring me here!” Her voice sounded smug.
Luckily, I followed them back. Otherwise, there is no telling when I’ll get to meet Ms. Jarvis! Roxanne stiffened when she heard Estella’s answer.
Essie ran away from home with Archie and Benny. If Lucian finds out about it, how should I explain it to him? He’ll most probably assume the boys persuaded Essie to follow them back to my house.
With that thought in mind, she released her hold on Estella slowly. Panic flashed across Estella’s face. “Ms. Jarvis, don’t get mad!” Roxanne patted her head comfortingly and explained, “I have to inform your dad that you’re here. Otherwise, he’ll be concerned.”
Estella muttered reluctantly, “I don’t want Daddy…”
Daddy was the one who refused to let me see Ms. Jarvis, Archie, and Benny! Upon seeing Estella’s reaction at the mention of her dad, Roxanne felt troubled.
She could finally understand Sonya and Aubree’s feelings. Estella had a much stronger attachment to her than she did to Lucian. Therefore, it was understandable that they did not want the little girl to continue getting in touch with Roxanne.
Roxanne even came to the conclusion that they were correct, as Estella would soon be someone else’s daughter. As a mother herself, she wouldn’t want her child to have a close relationship with another woman.
However, Roxanne couldn’t bring herself to ignore Estella, especially when the latter was pouting pitifully. “Be good. I’ll talk to your daddy nicely,” she said and forced out a smile.
Roxanne stood up to make a call to Lucian.
She had just scrolled through her contacts and found Lucian’s number when the doorbell rang.
Hearing that, Roxanne paused in her tracks.
Estella clung to Roxanne’s leg like a frightened little animal and hid behind her.
She thought Lucian was here to bring her back home.
Roxanne gave her head a reassuring pat and went to answer the door.
The sight of the newcomer caused them to blanch in shock.
Estella was so flustered that she grasped the edge of Roxanne’s clothes tightly, desperately wanting to conceal herself completely behind Roxanne.
Archie and Benny pursed their lips and went to join Roxanne at the door.
Sonya’s lips twisted mockingly as she observed their actions. She then directed her gaze toward Roxanne. “Catalina informed me that your boys had sneaked Essie out of the house, so I came here to verify if it was true. Turns out Essie is indeed at your house.”
Roxanne furrowed her brows and refuted, “Archie and Benny simply brought Essie back here so that they could play together. They are just children, so please be mindful of your words.”
Claiming that the kids “sneaked” Estella out of her house was too serious an accusation.
Sonya pinned her with a withering stare. “Why? Did I say anything wrong?”
Sonya turned her attention to Estella, who was hiding behind Roxanne. “Essie, come on. I’ll bring you home.” Estella had a firm grip on the edge of Roxanne’s clothing. When she heard Sonya’s words, she recoiled in fear.
I’ve just met Ms. Jarvis, so I don’t want to go home yet. Besides, Grandma looks really scary. I just didn’t want to attend the new kindergarten, that’s all, but she wants to discipline me like the cruel Ms. Pearson!
Estella was overwhelmed by fear as she remembered Sonya’s expression from that day.
Sonya realized that Estella was frightened of her, so she apologized softly, “I’m here to apologize, Essie. I must have scared you that day, haven’t I? I promise it won’t happen again. You’re my precious princess, Essie.”
She reached out and tried to pry away Estella’s hand that was gripping Roxanne’s clothes. It was frustrating to see her granddaughter preferring another woman over her.
At once, Archie and Benny dashed forward to stand in front of Roxanne and protect Estella. This time, they wouldn’t let Sonya bring Estella away no matter what.
“Won’t you control your kids?” Sonya shot an irritated glare at Roxanne. “They first sneaked Essie out of the Farwell residence, and now they are trying to prevent me from bringing her back. Why? Do they consider Essie to be their real sister?”
Conflicting emotions welled up in the boys’ hearts when they heard that. We don’t know who Essie’s mommy is, but we are indeed her half-siblings.
With that thought in mind, they grew increasingly determined to protect her.
Roxanne was also reminded of the kids’ relationship, but she didn’t know how to reply to Sonya.
As Roxanne remained silent, Sonya took a step forward and attempted to push the boys out of her way.
Instinctively, Roxanne reached out to protect her children by gripping Sonya’s wrist.
Both women were at a standstill for a moment before Sonya withdrew her hand with a scowl. She stated coldly, “Like mother, like son. It’s no wonder they are so mischievous, given that you are their mother.”
Roxanne believed that she had raised both boys well, so she felt a stab of anger upon hearing Sonya’s criticism.
“Mrs. Farwell, you can criticize me all you like, but isn’t it rude of you to vent your anger on the kids?”
Sonya valued her pride the most, and Roxanne’s words had hit her sore spot. “What did you just say?” she shrieked.
Unfazed, Roxanne said, “You claim to feel sorry for Essie, but have you ever considered why Essie is afraid of you if you truly love her? It’s because your supposed love is just fulfilling your own ego!”
Sonya was practically quivering in rage. She looked at her granddaughter, wanting to refute Roxanne’s statement with facts.
However, Estella merely cowered behind Roxanne silently. Her behavior seemed to verify Roxanne’s statement instead of supporting Sonya.
“I already told you last time that Essie can’t handle stress, but you kept forcing her to act against her wishes. I doubt that you love her,” Roxanne stated firmly.
She piled on the pressure, not giving Sonya any room to maneuver.
Sonya flew into a fit of anger. “You know nothing! Who are you to question me? Essie is a Farwell, so it’s up to us to decide how we want to raise her. That has nothing to do with you!”
Roxanne felt that this was unjust for Estella. “Just because Essie is a Farwell, does that mean she should be treated this way and not be allowed to befriend people she likes?”
Sonya sneered, “If you’re talking about your sons, then she isn’t allowed to befriend them.” A flash of disappointment crossed Archie and Benny’s faces when they heard that.
Does Grandma hate us that much? She won’t even allow us to be friends with Essie. Roxanne was upset, too. “Mrs. Farwell, the children have nothing to do with our grudge.”
Roxanne knew that the elderly lady’s hatred for Archie and Benny must have stemmed from her, for they rarely interacted with Sonya.
With that thought in mind, she cast the boys an apologetic look. Though the boys had no idea about their own background, their biological grandmother ended up despising them because of her.
For one split second, Roxanne had the urge to reveal Archie and Benny’s identities to Sonya so she would stop insulting her boys.
Sonya was not interested in arguing with Roxanne. Her attention was focused on Estella as she coaxed, “Come on, Essie. Let’s go home.”
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.