After that, the children then looked at Lucian distressedly, hoping he could say something on their behalf too.
Roxanne noticed who the children were looking at, and her gaze lingered briefly on Lucian. Seeing that the man had no intention to speak, she felt something strange welling in her heart.
“I’ve already agreed on a time with Mr. Damaris. I cannot be late.” Roxanne then dipped her head to look at her children, her tone sounding contrite.
The children knew there was nothing else they could do to dissuade Roxanne when they saw how adamant she was about going. Their faces were filled with disappointment.
Roxanne felt sorry for the children as she took note of their crestfallen expressions, but she knew she could not do much. She merely patted their heads and said, “When it’s done, just leave some for me so that I can taste your handiwork.”
Subsequently, Roxanne turned around to leave.
She barely took two steps when she heard the man’s voice.
“Since you need to go, Ms. Jarvis, maybe we’ll bake this cake some other day.”
Lucian set aside the whisk, pulled down his sleeves, and looked at her derisively. “By the looks of it, your appointment with Mr. Damaris is more important than the promise you have made to the children.”
Hearing what he said, Roxanne stopped walking and turned around to look at the man in confusion.
Nonchalantly, Lucian continued, “The children have hoped that we can finish this little project with them. But since you must leave, it’ll mean nothing if I stayed behind to help them.”
Lucian then glanced at the children, who looked increasingly disappointed.
Roxanne could not tell if she was imagining things, but it seemed as if the children were looking at her with resentment in their eyes.
Their expressions seemed to ask why she chose to cast them aside when they were the ones who made plans with her first.
“I…” Roxanne was at a loss for words, unsure of how to explain the situation. In the end, she tried to placate them by saying, “I’m going not because Mr. Damaris’ appointment is more important, but because this is a work-related matter. That’s why—”
Before Roxanne could finish, however, Lucian cut her off coldly by saying, “That’s why you decided to blow off your kids? You can’t keep your priorities straight? What happened to work-life balance?”
Embarrassment flashed in Roxanne’s eyes.
I only agreed to meet because I heard that Old Mr. Damaris is going to be there. I can’t keep him waiting. I didn’t mean to forget about the kids. He’s right. I did make plans with the kids first.
“I’m sorry. I was negligent, but I have to go.” Roxanne sounded very contrite as she said this. “On top of that, Old Mr. Damaris is going to be there. I cannot keep the old man waiting.”
Lucian’s expression softened at her flustered expression. In a deep voice, he said, “It’ll be done in half an hour. Surely you can explain the situation to Mr. Damaris?”
Upon hearing this, the children’s expressions brightened, and they looked hopeful again.
Under the children’s expectant gazes, Roxanne hesitated briefly but still pulled out her phone and made a call to Jack, explaining the situation. She told him she was going to be thirty minutes late, but Colby would be there to receive them first.
Thankfully, Jack readily agreed.
After receiving affirmation from Jack, Roxanne heaved a sigh of relief and shuffled back into the dining room again. She patted the children on their heads and said, “I’m sorry. Let’s continue baking.”
Seeing that she was willing to stay, they obediently nodded their heads and put the cake into the oven.
After the plain cake was completed, the children hastily spread the cream on it. Each child had their own idea, so Roxanne split the cake into three sections to let them decorate in their own way.
The children clearly thought of the task as something important, for they were cautious as they spread the cream.
Roxanne would glance at the time every once in a while. It was almost time for her to meet Jack, but the children were not done decorating yet.
However, she dared not urge them to hurry when she recalled the unhappy moment earlier. “I’m done!” Estella spoke first.
The two boys followed soon after as they cast a look that told Roxanne they were seeking praises from her.
Roxanne tamped down the urgency she felt and flashed them a smile. She then walked over to the table and glanced at the children’s masterpieces.
The boys’ sides were a mess while Estella’s side was not. Yet, the boys were still gleeful about it.
Roxanne had no choice but to compliment them despite what she actually thought about their work. “You’ve done it wonderfully, my darlings.”
The children beamed. Roxanne sneaked a glance at Lucian, who had been silent, before turning back to the children. “I’ll cut the cake now, all right?”
The children nodded fervently.
Roxanne cut the cake into six simple slices, then passed them to the children and kept one for herself. After that, she turned to look at the man beside her, who showed no signs of wanting to join them.
“Mr. Farwell,” Roxanne called out to him with a frown. “The cake is done. Come and give it a try.”
It was only after hearing her voice did Lucian turn to look at her and walk over.
The children wanted the two adults to try out the slices they had been in charge of, so Roxanne had to cut three small pieces for Lucian and herself.
The children watched them with faces full of anticipation when the adults began digging in.
Roxanne gave them a quick smile before starting with Estella’s piece. After tasting it, she looked at the girl in surprise and exclaimed, “Essie, yours is amazing! It’s delicious! Thank you, Essie.”
The girl smiled from ear to ear upon hearing Roxanne’s compliment.
Just as Roxanne was about to try the next piece, Estella’s piping voice sounded beside her. “Ms. Jarvis, can I call you Mommy?”
The girl seemed thrilled, and she was looking at Roxanne expectantly.
Roxanne froze as she looked at the girl with wide eyes. Then she turned to the man opposite her.
Lucian did not see the girl’s question coming either.
Similarly, Archie and Benny were astounded by Estella’s question.
Even though they had been working hard to form a complete family, they could still see that their mother had yet to accept their father.
Mommy must be shocked by Essie’s abrupt question.
Estella continued, “Ms. Jarvis, can you be my mommy? I love Ms. Jarvis the most!”
At that, the girl even shyly tugged the hem of Roxanne’s clothes.
Roxanne snapped back to her senses and suppressed the chaotic feelings in her chest. She put down the cake on the table, crouched down, and forced herself to smile at the girl. “You’re a sweetheart, right, Essie? It’s true that I like you a lot, but that doesn’t mean I can be your mommy.”
Estella tilted her head to the side in confusion. “But I like you a lot too, Ms. Jarvis!”
For a moment, Roxanne did not know how to respond to Estella’s declaration of love. I mean, I like Essie too, but I have never entertained the thoughts of becoming her mother.
After all, she has her own biological mother. If anything, children would probably prefer their biological parents more…
A good example will be Archie and Benny. Although they don’t know the truth of their births yet, their attitude toward Lucian is clearly different from the rest.
“You can’t?” Having received no answer from Roxanne, Estella lowered her eyes in disappointment and despair.
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.
Leave a Reply