Clearly, she was still bothered by what had happened earlier that day.
Realizing this, Roxanne knelt down and stared straight into the girl’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Essie. I didn’t mean what I said earlier this morning. I just wanted to say that—”
Having been consoled all day, Estella had already thought of forgiving her.
Even so, seeing the woman in person now made her slightly upset.
“But why did you leave, Ms. Jarvis?” the girl asked slowly while blinking.
She had already figured it out; Roxanne didn’t want to be her mother because she still couldn’t accept Lucian.
However, she didn’t understand why the woman had driven off despite knowing that she was upset.
Why didn’t she stay and talk to me instead? She was the first one to come looking for me the last time, but she just left me like that this morning.
The difference was too much for her to handle.
“I’m sorry,” Roxanne replied apologetically. “I really had something important to take care of this morning. I won’t make you upset ever again, so will you forgive me?”
Estella merely stared at her.
“I’ll be right by your side whenever you need me,” the woman promised solemnly.
The girl’s eyes finally lit up, and she leaped into Roxanne’s arms.
The woman felt her heart melt as she watched Estella return to her usual cheeriness.
She had thought the little girl wouldn’t forgive her, but it turned out she was so easy to please.
Suddenly, Roxanne felt something warm on her cheek for a split second.
She turned to the girl in surprise.
Estella beamed with delight at having secretly given the woman a peck.
A warm sensation spread across Roxanne’s heart when she saw Estella’s expression. Unable to help herself, she responded by kissing the child’s cheek too.
The little girl was instantly filled with shock, having not expected to be kissed.
Then, joy overtook her as soon as realization dawned on her.
“Mommy! Why did you only kiss Essie? We’re going to be mad!” Archie and Benny exclaimed jokingly when they saw Roxanne and Estella make up.
Roxanne burst into laughter before turning to give the boys each a peck on the cheek, bringing wide smiles to their faces.
After that, she stroked Estella’s head. “Did your daddy say what time he’d be coming to pick you up?”
Estella shook her head upon recalling that Lucian had never mentioned when he would come and get her.
Lucian had only told her to be a good girl and stay with the two boys before leaving abruptly.
Roxanne looked slightly troubled. I didn’t take a good look at his face back then, but he must be pretty annoyed about what happened this morning. But if I decide to call him and ask what time he’ll be coming to pick Essie up, it’s going to make me look guilty.
“If Daddy doesn’t come, can I sleep with you tonight, Ms. Jarvis?” Estella looked at Roxanne eagerly. Roxanne snapped back to reality and ran her fingers through the girl’s hair. “He’ll definitely come.”
As soon as her words fell, Estella’s eyes turned bleak. “But yes, if your daddy doesn’t come, you can sleep with me tonight,” Roxanne agreed with a smile.
Estella finally beamed upon hearing that. Roxanne glanced at the time. “I didn’t get to properly taste the cake we made this morning, so how about we make another one?” she proposed.
The children nodded happily and followed her into the kitchen. Roxanne placed all the ingredients on the dining table.
Lucian wasn’t helping them out this time around, but they still enjoyed the activity together as the sounds of their laughter rang out across the room.
When the cake was out of the oven, the children each chose a piece to decorate with cream.
Then, Roxanne sliced every piece into quarters and placed them onto the children’s plates.
The whole baking process went much more smoothly than it did this morning, and the children enjoyed their cake.
After they were done, Roxanne let the kids play a while longer.
By the time the clock struck nine, the young ones had begun yawning. However, Lucian had yet to appear.
“Is Daddy not coming, Ms. Jarvis? If he’s not, let’s go to sleep.” Estella tugged at Roxanne’s shirt lightly, feeling so tired that she could barely open her eyes anymore.
The woman hesitated for a moment.
She does look exhausted, but where is Lucian? Is he even coming?
She took out her phone, deliberating over whether or not to dial Lucian’s number.
If he’s not coming, I’ll take Essie upstairs so she can rest.
Just as she found Lucian’s number, a car horn blared from outside the mansion.
Then, the doorbell rang.
Everyone inside the house turned to the door, thinking that Lucian had arrived.
Estella pouted. But I want to sleep with Ms. Jarvis! I don’t want Daddy to come.
Roxanne switched off her phone and stared at the door with an inexplicable look on her face. After a few seconds of hesitation, she finally walked toward the entrance.
“Good evening, Ms. Jarvis,” Cayden greeted politely while standing outside.
Roxanne couldn’t help but still briefly, feeling relieved yet puzzled at the same time. “What are you doing here?”
Estella glanced at the man while holding onto a part of Roxanne’s clothing. “Where’s Daddy, Mr. Lawson?”
Cayden gazed at them, pausing briefly as he noted how similar the two looked to each other. “Mr. Farwell has some urgent matters to take care of. He recalled that Ms. Estella is still with you and wanted to come and get her himself, but he just couldn’t make it. That’s why he sent me,” he replied with a smile before extending an arm toward Estella. “Come, Ms. Estella. Let’s go home.”
The little girl shook her head in reluctance before hiding behind Roxanne and gazing up at her with eyes full of anticipation.
Roxanne sensed that Estella was staring at her, but she did not react. Just now, all Cayden said was that Lucian was busy with work. As Lucian was the CEO of Farwell Group, it was natural for him to be busy.
However, Roxanne felt that Cayden was actually referring to her, insinuating that she had neglected her children as she was too busy with work. Lucian’s words from that morning rang in her ears again. Is work really that important?
Roxanne kept asking herself the same question. She worked hard because she loved her job, and she also wanted to provide a better life for her children.
Yet, her good intentions had seemed to backfire on her. “Ms. Jarvis…” Estella noticed Roxanne’s silence and began tugging at the hem of the latter’s clothes. “I don’t want to go back.”
Roxanne snapped back to her senses and lowered her gaze to eye the little girl.
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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