They are the only people who could bring Roxanne away.
Reminded of Roxanne’s relationship with the two men, Lucian’s expression darkened. His tone inadvertently grew stern as he asked, “Which man? Do you know him?”
It sounded like a re-enactment of how he told off Estella a day before.
Benny jumped in surprise and was about to confess everything when Archie poked him in the ribs.
He quickly recovered himself and placed both hands behind his back. Then, he frowned as though trying hard to recall his memories and mumbled, “Hmm, I don’t think so.”
His answer was hardly useful to Lucian.
Lucian furrowed his brows in thought and rephrased his question. “Well, do you know why he came to get your mom?”
“Mommy said a child was sick and needed her help,” Archie volunteered before his brother slipped up.
Lucian’s gaze darkened slightly at Archie’s reply. Treating a child? Roxanne could be with either Jack or Larry. Lucian clung to the last sliver of hope as he asked Archie and Benny, “Do you remember what the man looked like?”
The boys looked at each other. Benny sensibly remained silent and allowed Archie to take the lead. The elder twin replied somberly, “The man looked very handsome and seemed to be on good terms with Mommy.”
He hoped it would remind Lucian that their mother had many admirers and spur him to step up his courtship. Sadly, his plan backfired. He did not know Lucian and Roxanne’s relationship had grown tense because of Larry and Jack.
Archie’s reply only added to Lucian’s suspicions of Roxanne’s relationship with the two men.
He thought of asking the boys for more details but decided against it when he noticed their blank expressions. With his brows still knitted, Lucian asked, “How will you go to school later? Do you need me to give you a lift?”
The boys shook their heads. “Mommy already told the school we’re not coming in today.”
Lucian looked to Estella upon hearing the boys’ reply.
The young girl had been upset after learning that Roxanne had left with another man. In fact, she was taking it out on her father by giving him the cold shoulder.
I told Daddy I wanted to see Ms. Jarvis in the morning! Daddy took his sweet time and made us late. Now, Ms. Jarvis has left with someone else!
Estella even began doubting her father’s ability to woo Roxanne and give her the mother she wanted.
Lucian sensed his daughter’s discontent and massaged his temples in frustration. Then, he asked Archie and Benny, “Can I leave Essie with you two? I have to get to work, so I won’t take a detour to her kindergarten. Do you promise to take care of yourselves?”
The boys immediately jumped at the opportunity to spend time with their sister. “Of course! We’ll take good care of Essie!”
Lucian turned to Estella next, relieved to notice the hint of a smile curving her mouth.
Despite her earlier displeasure, she evidently cheered up at the thought of spending time with Archie and Benny.
He knew his daughter best. If he insisted on sending her to kindergarten, she would be mad at him for the rest of the day until she met Roxanne.
It was better to leave her at Roxanne’s house and allow her to play with the boys. Her mood would certainly improve.
After leaving Estella in Archie and Benny’s care, Lucian waved goodbye to the children and got into his car.
Still, he felt insecure about leaving the children at home alone and called Cayden, instructing him to arrange for some men to watch the house and keep the children safe.
Cayden quickly agreed to his orders.
After hanging up, Lucian instinctively pulled up Roxanne’s number on his phone and hesitated about calling her.
I should at least figure out who she’s with right now.
He quickly squashed the thought before it could take root in his mind.
After all, Roxanne had never appreciated his efforts of snooping around her life, and she had repeatedly explained the innocent nature of her relationship with Larry and Jack to him.
Lucian merely refused to believe her.
His suspicions had riled her up on many occasions.
If he called her now and interrogated her on her whereabouts, he would destroy his previous efforts to improve her impression of him.
Despite his frustration, Lucian reined in his jealousy and kept his phone.
Meanwhile, Roxanne and Jack had just arrived at the hospital.
The director of the orphanage was already waiting for them in the lobby. He quickly greeted them and led them straight to Jamie’s ward.
A doctor, who looked like he was working for the Damaris family, was treating Jamie at the time.
He stood up and greeted Jack the moment he saw him. “Hello, Mr. Damaris.”
Jack nodded. “How is he doing?”
“He’s burning up pretty badly and has been suffering from diarrhea. I’m still trying to figure out how to diagnose this,” the doctor replied with a somewhat conflicted look on his face.
Jack glanced at Roxanne after hearing that.
Roxanne’s gaze had been fixated on Jamie since they entered the ward.
It pained her deeply to see how pale his face was as he lay there on the hospital bed.
Having noticed Jack staring at her, Roxanne gave him a nod to indicate that she was ready to treat Jamie anytime.
Jack then told the doctor, “This here is Dr. Jarvis. She helped treat this boy during the previous medical consultation. Please let her take a look at him.”
The doctor nodded and stepped aside to make space for Roxanne.
With a worried frown on her face, Roxanne sat down beside the bed and took Jamie’s pulse.
Despite being a little delirious from the high fever, Jamie was able to recognize Roxanne and smiled weakly at her.
Roxanne felt her heart ache when she saw how brave he was. “Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to treat you,” she said in a soft and reassuring voice.
Jamie simply nodded obediently at her in response.
Afraid that she would tear up if she maintained eye contact, Roxanne quickly looked away and focused on treating him.
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.
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