Her previous drawing of the plants was rather decent, though her brushstrokes were a little childish.
However, her drawing of the wreath was unbelievable. In fact, it almost looked real. “Essie, you’re amazing!” Benny breathed.
Roxanne, too, smiled and nodded in agreement. By the time Estella was done with the drawing, Benny could not help but ask, “Essie, have you taken art classes before?”
However, Estella shook her head in confusion. The look of surprise in Benny’s eyes only intensified. However, Roxanne suddenly thought of something, and her heart went out to the little girl.
Maybe her artistic skills have something to do with her autism. All autistic children always have some kind of surprising talent.
With that thought in mind, Roxanne patted Estella’s head while feeling sorry for the latter.
Unaware of what was on Roxanne’s mind, Estella innocently showed the woman her drawing. “I’ll keep it well!”
The flower wreath would not last, but she could take good care of the drawing.
Roxanne’s heart softened when she saw Estella still wearing the shell bracelet she gifted her back then. “I’ll help you preserve the wreath when we get back.”
Upon hearing that, Estella looked up at Roxanne with surprise.
Roxanne merely smiled. There were many chemicals in the research institute that could be used to preserve plants.
When Estella saw the smile on Roxanne’s face, she grinned wider.
Archie hurriedly took out his camera and took a picture of the duo.
Noticing that, Roxanne extended her hand, gesturing for Archie to show her the picture.
Hence, Archie obediently placed the camera in her hand.
Roxanne lowered her gaze to look at the picture, and Estella scooted over as well.
“Essie!” shrieked Estelle excitedly when she saw her face in the picture.
Roxanne’s gaze softened when she saw the picture of Estella. “You’re really pretty, Essie.”
The praise made Estella smile wider.
After sitting there for some time, Roxanne brought the children further.
When they exited the car earlier, Roxanne realized the field nearby had a type of rare medicinal herb.
Therefore, she decided to bring them there to play while she looked for the herb.
The three children walked ahead of her, skipping happily along the way.
Meanwhile, Estella had stopped drawing. She carefully placed the wreath on her head and marched ahead, paying attention to the ground where she stepped.
She, too, wanted to find some pretty flowers to make a wreath for Roxanne.
Suddenly, Estella found something. She squatted and called out to Roxanne, “Ms. Jarvis, what flower is this?”
Hearing Estella calling out to her, Roxanne strode over and looked in the same direction. Immediately, her eyes lit up.
Just as Estella was about to pluck it, Roxanne hurriedly held the former’s hand. “This is a valuable medicinal herb. I’ve been looking for it for some time. Thanks to you, Essie, I finally found it!”
Estella was confused, but she still smiled innocently, for she knew Roxanne was praising her. The former then retracted her hand obediently.
Subsequently, Roxanne took out the tools she had prepared and carefully scooped out the yellow flower along with its roots.
Estella cocked her head to one side, confused by what she saw. “For medicinal herbs like this, we need to preserve their roots as well,” Roxanne explained patiently.
Hearing that, the girl nodded even though she did not understand Roxanne’s words completely. Now that Estella knew Roxanne was looking for that kind of flower, the former quickly got up and scoured the area.
It did not take long for Estella to find a huge area of it, so Roxanne collected a few more to be preserved. Soon, noon arrived. The children were clearly hungry because their pace had slowed.
Noting that, Roxanne brought them back to the tent to prepare food for them. She had woken up early that morning to prepare a various selection of food for the children.
The sight of the children feasting on the plates of food she prepared made her beam. “Essie, this is for you,” said Benny while taking out some sweets from his bag.
Estella smiled from ear to ear as she accepted the sweets. “Thank you, Benny.”
Similarly, Archie retrieved some snacks from his bag and piled them in front of Estella.
What on earth was Daddy even thinking? He only prepared tools but no food for Essie. Good thing we thought ahead and prepared some for her.
Realizing the children were going to be full from the snacks, Roxanne hurriedly stopped them, saying, “Slow down on the snacks. I’m making barbeque for you kids.”
As soon as the children heard the word “barbeque,” they immediately put down their snacks and fixed their gazes on the grilling rack Roxanne was holding.
The way they gaped at the food as if they were close to drooling amused Roxanne.
However, the boys quickly snapped out of it and went over to help her.
Meanwhile, Estella did not know what to do, so she obeyed the boys’ orders and washed the vegetables.
Soon, the ingredients were ready, and Roxanne began grilling them.
A delicious aroma instantly permeated the air.
The children’s eyes looked as if they were sparkling as they sat around Roxanne and waited for the food to be ready.
Noting their anticipation, Roxanne quickened her movements in order to not let the children wait too long.
Not long after, a plate of mutton skewers was served.
Archie and Benny immediately reached out and gave one to Estella.
Accepting the skewer, Estella darted her eyes from the aromatic mutton skewer to Roxanne, who was still grilling food for them.
“Ms. Jarvis!” Estella called out, bringing the skewer to Roxanne’s lips and gazing at the latter with sparkling eyes.
Roxanne’s heart melted when she saw the skewer suddenly appear in front of her. “Thank you, Essie.”
Only after Estella had finished feeding Roxanne did she take another skewer from the boys, devouring it.
The atmosphere was harmonious as the four chatted and joked with each other.
Meanwhile, a black car slowly pulled up on the road a distance away from the field.
Sitting in it was a furious Aubree, who watched the interactions between the four through the window.
Any stranger would think they’re a family if they see this. That b*tch, Roxanne! How dare she says she has no intentions of going back to the Farwell family? That’s impossible. If that’s true, why is Roxanne treating Essie so well when she doesn’t know who her biological mother is?
Looking at the figures, Aubree narrowed her eyes as she subconsciously tightened her grip around the vial she’d gotten from the man. Meanwhile, Roxanne remained oblivious of Aubree’s presence.
Just after lunch, the afternoon sun bathed the land in its warm light. The kids didn’t feel sleepy at all. Quite the opposite, they felt hot due to the rising temperature.
Roxanne scanned her surroundings before bringing them toward the waterfall, where the group was instantly greeted by a pleasantly cool breeze. Even Roxanne couldn’t help but let out a satisfied sigh.
“Ah!” All of a sudden, Estella ran and hid behind the woman’s back. Roxanne lowered her head, confused.
All she could see was Archie and Benny, both barefooted in the stream, splashing water toward the little girl.
When they noticed Estella was hiding behind their mother, the two little boys instantly stopped what they were doing, feeling a tad guilty over their actions.
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.