Lucian looked away from the mirror. “No need. We’ll keep to the schedule as planned.” I need to focus on my work right now so that I can get Roxanne out of my head as soon as possible.
Cayden felt he could no longer convince his boss after several rejections from him, so he could only acquiesce in silence and head downstairs to wait for him.
When he came out of Lucian’s room, he saw Aubree still standing in front of Estella’s bedroom.
The little girl seemed to be still asleep. Aubree was cautiously knocking on the door, but her side profile made it hard for him to observe her expression.
However, Cayden could not help but feel bad for Estella when he thought of how the little girl detested Aubree.
Estella had stayed up late waiting for her father to reach home the night before. Moreover, she had taken to lazing around in bed in the mornings lately as she did not need to attend school for the time being.
Early that morning, however, she was awoken by a persistent knocking on the door. Estella got up blearily and made her way to the door grumpily.
She scrunched her brows begrudgingly as she took in the person standing at the doorstep. “You’re finally awake, Essie. Why don’t I help you wash up and prepare for school?” Aubree was all smiles.
Estella pursed her lips and shook her head. She refused to let Aubree send her to school as she’d spanked her previously.
Aubree patiently coaxed, “It was my fault for being so irrational in the past. I promise to be nice and never force you to do anything you don’t want to, okay?”
She intended to bypass Estella and make her way to the bedroom. Aubree had barely taken a step before Estella moved into position and blocked her passage.
The smile on Aubree’s face froze.
“Come now. We’ll be late if we tarry any further. I heard from your Grandma that you only went to your new school for one day. Now that school has reopened, you should leave a positive impression on your teachers and classmates.”
Estella recoiled even further at Aubree’s words. She did not want to go to school, let alone allow Aubree to accompany her there.
“Don’t you want to make new friends?” Aubree patiently inquired.
Estella once again shook her head stubbornly. “No!”
Aubree’s eyes lit up. This was the first time Estella had spoken to her when they were alone.
She used to avoid her and would refuse to utter a word in her presence. Does this mean that our relationship has improved since she is willing to talk to me?
Aubree was encouraged at the possibility and her tone softened even more.
“I know you dislike being in crowded places and
new environments, but this is part and parcel of life. I’ll wait for you outside your classroom if you feel scared.”
Estella eyed Aubree dubiously as she seemed to have undergone a complete transformation. Hadn’t she any clue I’d detest it all the more if she followed me to kindergarten?
Aubree extended her hand to pat Estella’s head and seemed to have more to say. The astute Estella nimbly evaded her touch by taking a step backward.
Aubree’s hand hung in mid-air awkwardly. Then, Estella scrutinized her expression..
Aubree would always become upset whenever she avoided contact with her. As such, she was taken aback when the person before her didn’t seem affected by the least.
It was a peculiar sight indeed. Although Aubree’s attitude had improved vastly, Estella was convinced that she was merely putting on an act based on her past experiences.
Estella’s standoffishness was off-putting, but Aubree was willing to overlook it. At the end of the day, Lucian’s acknowledgment took precedence over Estella’s rejection.
Hence, Aubree had no choice but to think of another way to persuade Estella since time was running out.
“I also believe it’s better that you study at home, but your daddy thinks otherwise. You wouldn’t want him to worry about you not going to school while he’s still recovering from his hangover, would you?”
Estella’s resolve wavered at the mention of Lucian. She had seen how drunk Lucian was the night before and surmised he must have drunk a lot. I wonder what Daddy was up to.
Aubree delighted at the indecision in Estella’s eyes and continued, “If you don’t want to attend school, I can help put in a word or two when your daddy’s feeling better.”
It was only then that Estella relented and allowed her entry into the room. Aubree got to her feet to let Estella get dressed while she picked out the clothes she would wear to school.
Once the clothes were selected, she assisted Estella to brush her teeth. Estella gradually began to let her guard down. Aubree used to threaten her whenever they spent time together.
Estella supposed Aubree wouldn’t try anything since she didn’t seem inclined to do so this time. Moreover, Aubree brought up Lucian in their conversation.
Estella was docile and compliant to her demands as she did not want to trouble Lucian. Nonetheless, her expression was still sullen.
She truly abhorred the idea of going to a new school.
The boys wouldn’t be there, and she disliked her classmates and teachers.
Estella was led downstairs to have breakfast after she reluctantly changed her clothes. Lucian was already seated at the dining table while Cayden stood respectfully beside him.
He raised his eyes at the sight of Estella and Aubree descending the stairs. “Daddy.”
Estella released Aubree’s hand and trotted over to Lucian. She rested her arms on his lap and gazed into his eyes. Lucian’s head was still aching. Therefore, he resorted to patting Estella’s head without saying a word.
Estella had planned to tell him of her desire not to go to school but hesitated at his obvious state of discomfort. “Daddy, are you in pain?”
Lucian detected the concern in Estella’s eyes, and he comforted her with a smile. “Don’t worry. It’s just a bit of a headache.”
Estella pouted her lips and asked out of curiosity, “Daddy, why did you drink so much last night?”
Lucian’s eyes darkened and he didn’t immediately come up with an answer. Estella directed her questing gaze to Cayden.
He is always accompanying Daddy whenever he drinks for work. Cayden was at a loss. How could he bring himself to refuse the innocently adorable Estella?
Nevertheless, the truth was he had no clue what happened to Lucian as well. Lucian had finished drinking by the time he got there last night.
Estella’s question reminded Aubree of Lucian’s inebriated state the night before. Her heart clenched as she eyed him steadily. It must have been a personal matter since. Cayden was not privy to it.
Furthermore, Lucian had been with Jonathan. Aubree felt a hint of displeasure as she thought of what Frieda had told her about Jonathan’s opinions toward Lucian and Roxanne.
Even so, Lucian still entrusted her to send Estella to school, which undeniably meant he would give up on Roxanne after their conversation last night.
She concluded that there was no point getting worked up about nothing. Everyone in the dining hall was preoccupied with their own thoughts.
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.