Chapter 376 – Her Sudden Departure: A Tale of Love and Redemption (Lucian & Roxanne)

Estella burrowed into Roxanne’s arms and turned to look at Archie and Benny curiously. They were so anxious when Daddy nearly took me home, and I’m still mad about it. Yet, they want to play a game now. How strange.

Just as Estella was wondering what was going on, Benny winked at her discreetly and signaled for her to look through the doorway at Lucian. Getting his hint, she reluctantly glanced at her father.

Through the kitchen door, one could see into the living room. Estella looked up and saw Lucian frowning. There was also a rare look of frustration on his face.

She puffed out her cheeks and fumed inwardly, Needless to say, he must have regretted getting mad at Ms. Jarvis and me. Hmph! It serves him right for getting angry at us before getting his facts straight!

Even so, after grumbling about it silently, Estella still remembered that she wanted Roxanne to become her mother. Helping Daddy also means helping myself.

With that thought in mind, she decided to set aside her prejudice and lend Lucian a helping hand. She tugged at the hem of Roxanne’s shirt gingerly and said in an adorable voice, “Ms. Jarvis, let’s play a game together…”

Estella’s acting skills were top-notch. She wore an aggrieved expression as she spoke, appearing as though she had yet to recover from how upset she felt when Lucian had wanted to take her home.

Roxanne’s heart could not help softening at how pitiful Estella looked. After hesitating for several seconds, she finally raised her hand to pat the latter’s head and agreed to a game. “Okay.”

The three children looked at each other with joy in their eyes when they saw Roxanne acquiesce. After promising to play with them, Roxanne surveyed the ingredients she had prepped. It looks like everything is ready. All that’s left is to cook up the dishes later this evening.

She double-checked to make sure everything had been prepared, then stood up and followed the children out of the kitchen. As soon as she walked out, she saw Lucian, who was still standing in the living room.

He was standing next to the coffee table with slightly downcast eyes, staring in the direction of the couch.

Noticing movements from where the others were, he raised his head and looked toward them. When he met Roxanne’s eyes, something seemed to cross his mind, and his gaze flinched for a split second. Visibly frowning, he quickly shifted his focus back to the couch.

Roxanne could not help feeling stunned by his behavior. This guy was questioning me in a fury earlier, but as I look at him now, he looks a little guilty. Puzzled, she followed his line of sight and saw the bunch of lilies she had left on the couch.

I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but I can’t shake the feeling that someone seems to have tampered with the flowers. They look a little messy.

The children were waiting for Roxanne before starting the game, and when they saw that she was lost in thought, Archie and Benny called out impatiently, “Mommy!”

Hearing that, she jolted to her senses and shot the children an apologetic smile. “What are we playing?”

Archie, Benny, and Estella exchanged looks, the wheels in their minds spinning. After a while, they suggested, “Let’s play Red Light, Green Light.”

Roxanne had no idea what the trio had in mind. She thought they merely wanted to play a game out of boredom, so she readily agreed.

Benny ran up to Lucian and said innocently, “Mr. Farwell, why don’t you play together with us?”

Roxanne’s brows drew together slightly when she saw that. She was worried that Lucian was still angry and that it would startle Benny. To her surprise, Lucian merely frowned for a few seconds, then lifted his head and glanced toward her before agreeing to it in an indifferent manner. “Sure.”

The twinkle in the children’s eyes grew brighter after both the adults consented to play with them. Estella was the caller for the first round. She stood at the bottom of the staircase while the starting point for the other four was the front door of the mansion.

Since the distance between the two points was very near, Roxanne and Lucian had to take smaller steps to accommodate the children’s strides.

The game began with Roxanne and Lucian in the middle and the boys on either side. “Green light… Red light!” Estella waited for them to take a few steps before suddenly spinning around.

Although the others stopped in their tracks at once, the two little ones lost their balance and swayed about for a little bit before steadying themselves.

Fortunately, all Estella wanted was for them to all play together. Hence, she did not take issue with it and quickly turned back. When the game resumed, Roxanne could not help wondering whether the boys’ excitement was causing them to veer toward the center.

She glanced at Archie, who was next to her, helplessly. However, all his attention was on Estella standing right in the center. It seemed as though he was straying in that direction solely because he was eager to tag Estella.

Seeing that, Roxanne sighed inwardly and moved toward the center to make room for him.

Meanwhile, Lucian, too, noticed the same thing with Benny. He seems to be behaving oddly, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. After all, if he’s so eager to win the game, it’ll make more sense for him to walk forward. Instead, he’s walking sideways like a crab and keeps running into me.

Although Lucian had no idea what Benny was up to, the former still subconsciously took a few steps toward the center to make way for the latter.

Just as Lucian and Roxanne were preoccupied with staying out of the boys’ way, Estella suddenly swung around and called out, “Red light!”

Archie happened to take a step at the same time Estella shouted. Losing his balance, he staggered a little.

Roxanne frowned, worried there would not be enough space for Archie to regain his balance. Not even bothering to think about whether she would get eliminated from the game, she carefully inched further toward the center to leave him more space.

However, she stepped on something as she shifted aside, catching her by surprise. Roxanne froze, then looked down immediately to see what it was.

As for Lucian, he had also gotten similarly tricked. He moved inward to let Benny pass, but right after steadying himself, he felt someone step on his foot.

When Lucian lowered his head, he saw Roxanne retracting her leg while looking somewhat embarrassed. With Archie taking up all the space on her other side, however, she had nowhere to lower that foot after doing so.

For a moment, all she could do was stand on one leg awkwardly. She gazed at Estella with a helpless expression, desperately wishing the latter would quickly turn back around.

If she doesn’t, I really don’t think I can keep standing like this. Estella seemed to have read her mind. Her eyes crinkled as she smiled and turned around slowly.

Roxanne was about to put her foot down when she heard Estella’s voice ring out again. “Green light… Red light!” Startled, Roxanne could not find anywhere to stand. Her body swayed on the spot before toppling forward.

Archie, Benny, and Estella watched the scene nervously. They were afraid she would really take a fall. At the same time, they were worried that Lucian would miss out on the opportunity.

As she was panicking, Roxanne reached out, wanting to grab something to steady herself. However, as soon as she reached out, she remembered they had deliberately chosen to play in an empty space. Hence, there was nothing for her to hold on to.

She was about to withdraw her hand when a large hand grabbed hers firmly. Immediately after that, she felt herself getting pulled into a pair of strong arms. When the children saw Lucian’s swift and natural reaction, they could not help exclaiming, “Wow!”

Roxanne could clearly hear the children’s voices. Unbidden, a strange feeling rose within her. However, it was soon engulfed by a wave of guilt.

Just half an hour ago, she had a falling out with the man beside her. And now, she lost her balance and fell into Lucian’s arms when they were merely playing a game with the children.

To anyone else, however, her actions might very well seem deliberate. Only she herself knew that it was truly an accident on her part. But if I were to clarify things now, I’d only make myself look all the more suspicious…

She rested in the man’s embrace stiffly, her emotions a jumbled mess. On the contrary, Estella was still immersed in the game. She emphatically ordered, “Everyone isn’t to move!”

Archie and Benny immediately answered in the affirmative. Upon receiving no response from the two adults, Estella stared at them with feigned sternness, her expression solemn.

“Got it.” Lucian’s deep voice sounded beside her ears. A flash of surprise flitted across Roxanne’s eyes. If I were to listen to Essie and remain still, I’d have to continue staying in his arms… Worse still, the kids’ gazes have been fixated on us ever since…

At that thought, a sense of aversion welled within her. She tried to break free from Lucian’s arms, but the arm encircling her tightened instead.

“Essie is still awaiting your reply,” Lucian reminded in a low voice beside her ear. Hearing that, Roxanne once again went stiff. She could almost sense Estella’s tangible gaze on her.

Although she couldn’t quite see the little girl’s countenance from her angle, she could imagine her pitiful expression. Ultimately, she relented and murmured, “Okay.”

Seeing that both the adults had agreed, all three children wore expressions of sheer delight. As Lucian hugged Roxanne, he dipped his eyes and stole a peek at the children’s expressions. Without fail, he clocked the fleeting glee on their faces.

Realizing their true motive in suggesting the game, he felt touched yet amused. Still, he obligingly held the woman in his arms without moving a muscle.

At the sight of her amenability, he couldn’t help chuckling lowly. Roxanne promptly went tense when she distinctly heard his laughter. She lifted her eyes and glanced at the man.

The smile on his face hadn’t faded completely. When their eyes met, there was still a hint of tenderness in his eyes. She was initially irked, but upon beholding his charming smile, she swiftly plunged into a trance.

This is the first time I’ve seen him smile like that…

The two of them gazed at each other for an indeterminate time before she abruptly snapped back to reality. In hindsight, she realized that Estella seemingly hadn’t turned around even after such a long time had passed.

Following that realization, her brows furrowed slightly. In a soft voice, she stated, “I’m a bit tired, so I’m not playing anymore.” After saying that, she broke free from Lucian’s embrace, whirled around, and went upstairs.

The children watched her leave and exchanged guilty glances, aware that they were seemingly too deliberate that Roxanne noticed something amiss.

Likewise, a frown marred Lucian’s countenance. Exasperation was written clear in his eyes. It looks like she’s still unwilling to forgive me.

Estella was the first to gather her wits. Lifting her hand to point at her father, she announced in a soft voice, “Daddy, you’re out!” Inclining his head nonchalantly, Lucian took a step back and extracted himself from between Archie and Benny.

---