Then he let go of her wrist.
Surprise flashed across Roxanne’s eyes.
It’s the first time he has let me off so easily…
For a moment, the atmosphere between the pair was thick with tension.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going to prepare dinner.” Not wanting to linger around any longer, she withdrew her gaze first and headed toward the kitchen.
This time, Lucian did not stop her.
Roxanne was at the kitchen doorway when his voice rang out again. “There’s no need to prepare dinner for Essie. I’ll be taking her home when she comes downstairs.”
His gaze was so dark that it was utterly frightening.
The way I see it, Roxanne’s acceptance of flowers from another man is equivalent to her accepting that man’s pursuit of her. Naturally, I shouldn’t hang around and get underfoot. Taking care of Essie has probably even turned into a nuisance for her. Otherwise, why would she have left the three kids at home and let them eat takeaway?
Roxanne turned and cast a glance at him. “It’s something I promised her I’d do. As long as she doesn’t tell me otherwise, I’ll definitely make dinner for her. Even though you’re her father, you can’t make decisions on her behalf.”
With that, she spun around and went into the kitchen.
When Archie, Benny, and Estella headed downstairs, they saw Lucian standing in the living room expressionlessly.
The trio exchanged glances at the sight of that, picking up on the strange atmosphere in the living room.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the two adults must’ve gotten into an argument, and it was about those flowers.
Downstairs, Lucian, too, noticed the children making their way down. They were about to say something when Lucian looked up at Estella and said impassively, “Come down, Essie. We should be heading home.”
Upon hearing that, the children were taken aback. Estella widened her eyes in confusion. “Daddy…”
I’ve already promised Ms. Jarvis I’d stay and have dinner tonight. What does Daddy mean by this? Even if he and Ms. Jarvis got into an argument, he shouldn’t take me home. After all, he told me he wanted me to help him woo her. If I leave as well, how will that get Ms. Jarvis to stop being mad?
Nonetheless, Lucian was unmoved. “Ms. Jarvis has other matters to attend to, and we don’t know whether there will be any other guests tonight. It’s better if we don’t get in her way.”
Having said that, he took two strides in the direction of the staircase and stretched out a hand toward Estella. Estella pursed her lips and hid behind the two older boys. “No! I want to have dinner with Ms. Jarvis!”
Archie and Benny quickly shielded Estella behind them. “Mr. Farwell, we don’t have any other guests tonight, so you and Essie can stay.”
Lucian furrowed his brows. Knowing that the boys were not his children, he had no choice but to soften his tone a few notches as he replied, “If you like Essie so much, you can play together at the kindergarten. But she has to go back with me now.”
Archie and Benny looked at each other anxiously, knowing that he was angry because Roxanne had brought home that bouquet. However, they did not know what to do. They had wanted to explain everything clearly to him. If they were to move aside then, he would surely take Essie and leave.
For a moment, the two of them were caught in a dilemma.
After some time, Archie suddenly stepped aside and ran down the stairs.
Naturally, Benny could not stop Lucian by himself. Hence, he could only watch as Lucian picked Estella up in his arms and turned to walk toward the front door.
Estella’s reluctance at being carried by Lucian was written all over her face. She stared fixedly in the direction of the kitchen, hoping Roxanne would come out and stop her father.
Alas, even as Lucian had almost carried her to the front door, there was still no sign of Roxanne.
Estella could not help feeling a little disappointed.
“Mr. Farwell!”
Suddenly, Lucian heard Archie’s voice ring out from behind him.
Estella was puzzled to see Archie holding a single lily in his hand.
Lucian frowned when he heard Archie calling him. He paused in his tracks and turned around. “What is it?”
Archie hurried toward them. He did not even pause to catch his breath, and his small face was flushed as he said, “If you let Essie stay for dinner, I’ll give you this lily.”
Confusion spread across Lucian’s stern face. He did not know where Archie had gotten the flower, nor did he understand what the boy meant by those words.
Having guessed Lucian’s thoughts, Archie explained sweetly, “I took this flower from the bouquet Mommy brought back. She said that if I want to thank someone, I should give them lilies because lilies symbolize gratitude.”
Then, Archie added guiltily, “Don’t tell Mommy I secretly took one of her flowers, okay?”
Realization dawned on Lucian. So what Archie meant to say is that he’ll be very grateful if I don’t take Essie home.
Archie held out the flower again hesitantly. “There are plenty of lilies in Mommy’s bouquet. That’s why I dared to take one of them.” Lucian’s brows furrowed as he finally understood what Archie meant.
Someone obviously sent those flowers that Roxanne brought back as a thank-you gift. I was the one who misunderstood the whole thing. No wonder she flew into such a rage!
Lucian’s expression relaxed drastically after he realized the truth of the situation. He swept his gaze over to Roxanne, who was busy in the kitchen, then turned back and took the lily Archie was holding. “I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions. Essie and I will stay for dinner.”
With that, he set Estella down. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Estella shot her father a glare before running off toward the kitchen to look for Roxanne.
In the living room, Lucian held the lily taken from Roxanne’s bouquet of flowers with a frown. He and the boys stared at each other for some time.
Archie and Benny could see Lucian’s frustration, and they snuck glances at each other with troubled looks in their eyes. Daddy and Mommy often argue, but it’s clear that Mommy is very angry this time. What can we do to help them make up?
Over in the kitchen, Estella clung to Roxanne’s leg. Roxanne, still fuming with anger, was perplexed when she saw Estella running into the kitchen, looking aggrieved. “What’s the matter, Essie? Did the brothers bully you?”
As she spoke, she cast a glance toward the door. That doesn’t make sense. The boys have always been fond of Essie, so why would they bully her? Apart from the boys, the only other possible culprit is Lucian.
The next second, Estella’s reply confirmed her suspicions. “It was Daddy! He’s a meanie!” Estella said huffily, complaining about her father to Roxanne.
Estella’s response did not surprise Roxanne. However, the latter was still curious about what caused Estella to become so angry. “How was he mean to you?”
Puffing out her cheeks, Estella recounted what had happened angrily. “Daddy wanted to take me home and wouldn’t let me have dinner with you!”
A look of surprise flashed across Roxanne’s eyes. Lucian did mention taking Essie home just now, but I already shot him down. I didn’t think he’d still go ahead with it. I wonder how she managed to run in here.
As the thought went through her mind, she subconsciously lifted her gaze, worried that Lucian would suddenly barge in. Once she looked up, however, she spotted Archie and Benny standing at the kitchen doorway.
“Mommy, let’s play a game together!” Benny said with a bright smile. His words threw Roxanne for a loop. Pursing his lips, Archie nodded solemnly. “Yes, let’s play a game!”
Seeing that the usually serious Archie was also suggesting they play a game together made Roxanne even more confused. And for some reason, his cheeks are so flushed.
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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