Chapter 556 – Her Sudden Departure: A Tale of Love and Redemption (Lucian & Roxanne)

On his way to the club, Jonathan had been thinking of how he was going to make Lucian talk, and in the end, he decided to start with Estella.

Everyone in their social circle knew about Estella changing kindergartens. The kindergarten she had transferred to was one catered toward the rich and the powerful.

On Estella’s first day, when the parents found out that their children were in the same class as the daughter of the Farwell family, they began plotting how they should curry favor with the Farwells through her. However, Estella did not appear on the next day.

The parents had quickly looked into the matter. It took no time before Estella’s matter became a well-known one in the circle.

There was nothing Lucian wanted to hide, so he nodded in indifferently. Jonathan raised his brows in surprise. “Essie agreed to it? How did you convince her?”

For a while after that, the room was silent. Jonathan slowly realized that Lucian did not get Estella to agree to it in the first place. That must be why she’s throwing a tantrum and stopped going to after a day.

cleared his throat awkwardly. “How is Essie feeling recently?”

Lucian picked up his wineglass and took a sip from it. “She was sulking the past two days, but she’s fine now.”

Jonathan was even more taken aback by that. “She’s all right after such a short period of time? Does that mean she’s doing much better now?”

“She spent a day at Roxanne’s,” Lucian said nonchalantly. Jonathan could guess what Lucian was trying to say.

It was not because Estella’s condition was getting better for her mood to have improved so quickly, it was because she met Roxanne.

However, Jonathan found the way Lucian mentioned Roxanne strange Is he really… planning to cut ties with Roxanne?

Jonathan’s confusion was clearly written on his face. Noticing that, Lucian said, “I talked to her about it. It’s true that we can’t progress any further in our relationship, so we’ve decided to do as she says-to become strangers.”

“Are you really giving up just like that?” Jonathan could not believe what he had just -heard. Lucian frowned. “What do you think?”

You can’t possibly ask me to cast aside my dignity to beg Roxanne to change her mind. I can’t do that, and she won’t change her mind anyway.

Jonathan drew his brows together. “What about Essie? Dr. Jarvis is her mother, and the girl adores her too.”

The mention of Estella made something flash past Lucian’s eyes. “I’ve talked about this with Aubree. She’ll treat Essie well, and as time passes, I’m sure Essie will slowly accept her.”

Getting Essie to accept Aubree?

Jonathan found that incredulous. He had invited Lucian out because Frieda had gleefully told him about how Lucian was planning to stay engaged to Aubree.

Perhaps it was because Jonathan had been Lucian’s wingman in the past. Frieda was exceptionally arrogant when she told him about the news. Of course, Jonathan did not believe it.

He was the one who witnessed Lucian courting Roxanne in all the ways he could think of, so he found it hard to believe that Lucian would give up on Roxanne so easily.

Even if Lucian did give up on Roxanne, Jonathan felt that he should not have chosen Aubree Estella’s dislike of Aubree throughout the six years was apparent to them all. How could Lucian marry a woman that Essie did not like and make her Essie’s mother?

Even when he heard the confirmation from Lucian, he still thought that he was dreaming. “Essie hasn’t accepted Aubree in six years. Do you really think she’ll suddenly change her mind?”

Lucian was unfazed, however. “We still have to give it a try.” “What happened between you and Dr. Jarvis? You’re not someone who gives up this easily!”

Silence ensued. Lucian lowered his gaze and drank away.

Jonathan downed his wine and huffed, “If I had known that you were going to give up so easily, I wouldn’t have helped you back then. Look! You can choose not to see Dr. Jarvis from now on, but the Queen family still has to interact with .her.

How am I supposed to face Dr. Jarvis now?” Jonathan scrunched up his face in frustration. “Also, my grandfather told me to care of Dr. Jarvis, What am I supposed to say to him about this?”

As he spoke, he carefully observed the expression on Lucian’s face. He said that to find out if Lucian would have a change of heart. Alas, despite his long speech, Lucian’s expression remained the same. It was as if he had not heard Jonathan at all.

Right as Jonathan put down his glass in resignation and was about to declare that it was none of his business anymore, Lucian spoke. “I don’t think I should give up so easily either After all, the woman’s Essie’s biological mother.”

Jonathan brightened up upon hearing that, and he asked, “Does Dr. Jarvis know about her relationship with Essie? If she doesn’t, you should tell her about it. I’m sure she’ll change her mind.”

That was a thought he had since a long time ago, but as the matter was Lucian’s family matter, it was up to Lucian whether or not he wanted to tell Roxanne about Estella’s birth circumstances.

However, it seemed that the two were going to lose each other again, so Jonathan steeled himself to make the suggestion. Almost immediately, Lucian’s hand holding the wineglass froze in mid-air.

Tell Essie’s birth circumstances to that woman? Maybe I would have given this a thought if Roxanne hadn’t given up on me… But now, it’s pointless.

Thinking that his suggestion was fantastic, Jonathan looked at Lucian in anticipation as he waited for his response. “If you still want her back by your side, this is the best way to get her to come back!”

A beat later, Lucian finished his drink and uttered quietly, “No.”

Jonathan’s eyes widened He’s really planning to give up on Roxanne! “She can’t give me what I want, and she can’t give Essie what Essie wants. What I can give her isn’t something she wants either,” Lucian said.

Jonathan could only blink at him, bewildered. “Why do you say that?”

Lucian’s eyes fluttered shut as he recalled the memories of their time together.

“What Essie wants is for her mother to be by her side, but clearly, Roxanne’s preoccupied with the Damaris family’s project. Her full focus is on it, and even when Essie went to her, she left the two kids to take care of Essie instead.”

It was the same for the last time. The girl was so .miserable, and Roxanne heard it, but she still chose to prioritize her Lucian pursed his lips, the air around him turning a few degrees colder. “At the start, I was hoping that she would stay in the country for that project, but who knew that she would throw her entire self into it?”

Even now, he still could not figure out whether Roxanne saw the project as something so important because of the project itself or because of the one in charge of it.

Jonathan nearly jumped in fright at the change in Lucian’s mood, but when he heard Lucian’s words of complaint, he became amused.

Then a smile appeared on his face. “Why are you smiling?” Lucian asked before shooting him a cold look. The smile on Jonathan’s face remained wide. “I’m just thinking about how even you can’t escape from something like this.”

Lucian knitted his brows in confusion. Jonathan cleared his throat but deliberately kept quiet for a while.

It was only when he sensed the air around him turn even colder did he shudder and said, “You say Dr. Jarvis is too focused on her work and has neglected Essie and your feelings. But think about this from another angle. Didn’t you do this to Dr. Jarvis six years ago?”

Just as those words went past Jonathan’s lips, Lucian tightened his grip on his glass. Six years ago…

“You must have treated Dr. Jarvis far worse six years ago than how Dr. Jarvis is treating you now,” Jonathan went on. “Back then, I wondered about what she would feel about you focusing on work and Aubree only. I thought she would have left in no time, but to my surprise, she actually lived with you for so many years and even gave birth to your children.”

At that moment, a thought seemed to have popped up in Jonathan’s head. “It looks like Dr. Jarvis was deeply in love with you back then. You say you’re a persevering man, but you’re giving up on her in mere months just because she’s a little more serious about her work. In contrast, Dr. Jarvis had stayed by your side for years.”

Jonathan even felt bad for Roxanne when he thought about the things she had to go through during those years. Once he was done saying his piece, he clicked his tongue and shook his head. Lucian’s expression darkened.

How did she persevere during all those years, then? I thought she was being unreasonable when she abruptly departed back then. Now that I think about it, she must have reached her limits.

What thoughts did she have on the night of her departure?

The recollection of that time made Lucian’s heart ache. “This is my fault,” he said after a beat Jonathan stiffened. This was the first time he had heard Lucian admit that he was wrong so easily.

“I did this to her six years ago, and now she’s doing the same thing to me.” The look of self- deprecation was bright in Lucian’s eyes. “Perhaps this is karma, but it’s late by six years.”

Hearing the bitterness lacing Lucian’s words, Jonathan lowered his gaze as his heart began feeling heavy.

He only mentioned what had happened six years ago because the matter popped up in his head; he did not mean to make Lucian feel guilty.

“In that case, why don’t you put aside your .original plan and court Dr. Jarvis again? It’s to fix the regret the two of you have.”

Jonathan thought that Lucian would finally consider that option, but the moment he said that, Lucian’s unhesitating rejection came. “It’s too late.”

Lucian filled his glass again and downed the wine.

Jonathan did not even know how many times Lucian had already filled his glass. He stubbornly continued, “Since you know you’ve done wrong, why do you not want to fix the mistake?”

“I can’t do that.”

I’ve hurt Roxanne terribly, so how can I ask her to forgive me? I’m certain that Roxanne’s already sick of how clingy I’ve been during this time. She’s only dealing with me half-heartedly as an act of courtesy.

A wave of frustration rose in Lucian, and he started downing one glass after another.

It was only then Jonathan realized he had been too busy trying to change Lucian’s mind. Lucian had finished the whole bottle of wine by himself.

The alcohol content in the wines that the owner .served them was high. On most days, they would only drink a glass or two and focus more on the conversation. However, it was different that day.

I know you can hold your drink, Lucian, but you still can’t drink like this! Jonathan quickly shot out his hand to stop Lucian. “Lucian, stop drinking!”

Yet, before his fingers could touch the glass, Lucian stopped him. “I asked you to come today to drink, not to hear you go on and on about nonsense.”

Lucian tilted his head back to down another glass of wine.


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.


80 responses to “Chapter 556 – Her Sudden Departure: A Tale of Love and Redemption (Lucian & Roxanne)”

  1. Mavis Avatar
    Mavis

    Oh my gosh, why does Lucian and Roxanne misunderstand each other so much?l am lost for words right now. That wicked Aubree is given another chance to hurt Essie. Right now I am upset. Anyway thanks for the chapters, please post more often.

    1. Lilia benson Avatar
      Lilia benson

      It frustrates me are the adults. The only thing that make sense are the kids. Hopely all works well with Jonathan helping out. Moore chapter please.

  2. Fi Avatar
    Fi

    Love it…Can’t wait…Thanks🌹

    1. Jaye Avatar
      Jaye

      So frustrating! Aubrey is horrible. Lucian and Roxanne frustrate me. The only mature people are the kids!

      1. Lyly06 Avatar
        Lyly06

        Exactly

      2. Salma Avatar
        Salma

        Aubree need that one chance for her to shoot herself on the foot!

      3. Salma Avatar
        Salma

        I agree with you on this

      4. Merri Avatar
        Merri

        That is so true. Both adults need to stop guessing what the other thinks or feels.

  3. beck Avatar
    beck

    more chapters please

  4. Valerie Avatar
    Valerie

    Go see Roxanne and apologize… So next chapters pease.

  5. Mercu Avatar
    Mercu

    This book is borinb now

    1. Apiphenia Avatar
      Apiphenia

      Author have mercy on these children. They have been worked so long for their parents. Please assist. Aubree should be caught immediately before something bad happened again.

  6. Priya Avatar
    Priya

    Please post more chapters as soon as possible. Can’t wait.

  7. Vernillia Avatar
    Vernillia

    The truth about aubree needs to come.out
    Upload more chapters soon can’t wait to.hear how the story unfolds.
    Essie needs her mum roxanne

  8. Mercu Avatar
    Mercu

    This book is boring now

    1. Jayne Avatar
      Jayne

      💯 agree with you that’s it’s boring now. Author really did a doozie on this by dragging it out.

  9. T Avatar
    T

    This is some sort of merri-go-round. I can’t wait to read more.

  10. KayDee Mosojane Avatar

    I am failing to comment…

  11. JA Avatar
    JA

    Again Aubree won and poor Essie has to bear it again..
    More chapters plz..

  12. Alison Avatar

    Thanks for chapters but what happened….not where I was hoping the story line to go almost creepy…poor Essie…maybe the boys can uncover Aubreys evilness…please get rid of her makes my heart beat to fast

  13. Portia Avatar
    Portia

    Boring chapters waited for uploads for days only to read about Aubree winning everytime again and again that’s boring.

    1. Mwemwe Avatar
      Mwemwe

      You’re not the only one who waited only to be dragged onto this neverending rollercoaster with no direction

    2. Vervina Vitor Avatar

      Oh no! Lucian give aubree a chance. Poor Essie… 😢

  14. Rose Avatar
    Rose

    I am so upset that Aubree has been given access to Estella again. I much prefer when Estella hates Aubree, because I hate Aubree too. This has to change.

    1. Akiko Imsong Avatar

      Me too… I wish Lucian put camera every nook and corner just to check on Aubrey.

  15. Palesa Avatar
    Palesa

    I genuinely need this story to be straight up real! Because why are we ending the chapter at something so vague?

    Please update

  16. 😇😇 Avatar

    I honestly don’t like way things are unfolding
    Thanks for the chapters

  17. Panda Avatar
    Panda

    Why do I have the feeling this story is going to be dragged for a long while? The misunderstandings are getting from bad to worst. The funny part is I am still here waiting for more chapters and it is really becoming tiring 🥲

    1. Mwemwe Avatar
      Mwemwe

      Imagine. We have been on the same thing for too long now…

  18. Rose Morgan Avatar
    Rose Morgan

    Thank you so much. Cant wait to see when the truth is revealed.

  19. Kaoru Avatar
    Kaoru

    I have to say that I’m becoming exasperated. Too many steps back to see the light ay the end of the tunnel.

  20. Mavis Avatar
    Mavis

    Essie is suffering way too much in this story. She needs to be happy. The boys should find a way to let Lucian know that he is their father and someone should let it slip that Essie is Roxanne daughter. Each time the adults have their misunderstandings Essie is the one who is hurt again and again. Both Roxanne and Lucian are at fault and behaving like senseless people. Had enough of their kind of behavior. They need to get it together for the sake of the children. As for Aubree, please let her time be up. More chapters please 🙏

    1. Hlengiwe Khoza Avatar
      Hlengiwe Khoza

      It’s like we playing hide and seek o we not moving everytime Roxanne and lucian has to have a misunderstanding can’t really say how they feel no we getting tired of of this story no way forward

  21. Sara Lasa Andrew Avatar
    Sara Lasa Andrew

    Will come to past, just be patient… 🙏🙏🙏

  22. Sara Lasa Andrew Avatar
    Sara Lasa Andrew

    Saw the ending in Tapon.. glancing thru all

  23. Karen Matthews Avatar

    Keep them coming, I’ve tried reading slower but the chapters end so quick. Wish they’d be honest with each other and get a move on, plus when is Aubree going to be found out about staging the car incident and the poisoning of the children 🤷‍♀️ more chapters please

  24. Carmy Avatar
    Carmy

    I felt sad and thinking not to continue reading the following chapters due to the fact that I feel downed and not happy anymore…My dear writer, please give love and don’t let us miserable and depressed. l just want to be happy…🙏🙂

  25. Lily Avatar
    Lily

    Just keep updating more chapter please. As most of the time .the children in this story are more sensible
    Keep updating please

  26. 😇😇 Avatar

    I don’t like the way things are unfolding
    Thanx for the chapters
    Please kindly upload more

  27. 😇😇 Avatar

    Im here again today…. checking if they are new chapters uploaded 16 February 2024

  28. Priya Avatar
    Priya

    Please post more

  29. Akiko Imsong Avatar

    Not again… Why is it hard to understand one another? Another misunderstanding and argument again and again.

  30. Akiko Imsong Avatar

    Are they even going to confess each other?

  31. Clotielde Avatar
    Clotielde

    How many ways can you rehash the same storyline ?? After Lucian suspects that Aubree poisoned his daughter, he still allows her to interact with her…this is not believable in any world…not even in the realm of fiction !!! BORING !!

  32. Akiko Imsong Avatar

    Please update as soon as possible… Can’t wait.

  33. Pinky Avatar
    Pinky

    Aubree wins again, kanti how smart is Lucian if he cannot suspect that there’s something fishy about Aubree, Roxanne already gave him a hint about some of his fiancee’s evil deeds, he should have taken a initiative to dig deeper

  34. Mwemwe Avatar
    Mwemwe

    To be honest, too much of anything can make anyone sick. This novel has been procrastinating the same issue over and over again. The same story line. Initially people will lose interest because we keep seeing the villainess with the same act. I can probably even write a better write up as towards how the ending will be.
    It will be the same one gets sick and initially finds out that the kids are related. The fact that people stuck along is because they hoped to be proved wrong but it’s evident the author doesn’t read the comments but just posts. Everyone is commenting negative things on how it’s become boring but no one gets that. Imagine a whole 556 chapters?? For what? The author clearly lost the muse when writing hence jibbering the same nonsense over and over.
    We all know Aubrey will get caught, we just wanted to see how creative but instead the author thinks by all these chapters, people will be captivated when in actual sense they are just throwing the readers off. It’s damaging the book review.

    1. Malimal Avatar
      Malimal

      I totally agree with you. I think that we kept during this 556 chapters reading the same things over and over again. It becomes annoying to continue in this way. I think that the author should think and consider about the readers and their feelings first. But here I want to thank the author with those chapters but to make us waiting anymore and frustrated us like that, I’ll pass. Still the story won’t be captivating anymore if it’s like that and the writer keep us waiting.

  35. Margie Avatar
    Margie

    Is there another way to read this book? This has become painful!!! also how Can a successful man be so stupid? I’m am not liking his character anymore! Before he was a successful powerful handsome man now he seems none of the above! How can two people rip each other apart so bad and still want to be together! Nothing gets solved it just goes on and on and on and on

  36. Dani Avatar
    Dani

    I feel like we’re playing a game of ring around the rosey. Should we just give up reading this book because Aubrey hasnt gotten caught.

  37. Apiphenia Avatar
    Apiphenia

    Today its weekend at least update chapters early

  38. Rihanbaby Avatar
    Rihanbaby

    The novel is very interesting. But as it’s getting unnecessarily long, it’s becoming boring.

    In this chapter, Lucian is supposed to tell Roxanne that Esti is their daughter

  39. Ibun Avatar
    Ibun

    So, what’s the point of Lucian giving another chance to Aubree? He doesn’t love her and Essie hates her. He also knew what Aubree did to Essie. Knowing how he loves and protects Essie, the plot becomes irrational

  40. Zana Avatar
    Zana

    Why waited too long to reveal who Essie is to Roxanne?
    Lucian already stop investigating about the children illness and giving Aubree the chance to get close to Essie? Aahh
    Getting bored….

  41. Nellie Avatar
    Nellie

    Getting boring!! People can’t see the resemblances and just tell the truth already! I wish the boys would just tell their father. 556 chapters of jumping from one storyline to the next without conclusion/resolution. How did Lucien get Essie and his did Roxanne think he baby girl died. Food poisoning – a hint at who did it and she still gets away with it. Lucien fir such a rich and powerful guy is so pathetically insecure! And can’t stand up to his mother! If this is the life of billionaires I don’t envy them at all. After a while designer bags, shoes clothes and million $$ whatever is just boring if they can’t live happily thereafter.

  42. Jane Avatar

    More chapters pls

  43. Reader Avatar
    Reader

    Come on, why is Lucian acting like a fool and believing Aubree .Isn’t he almighty and powerful Ceo. I’m really getting tired of this novel.Its not moving further yet only misunderstandings come over and over again. In the next few chapters if they won’t clear the misunderstandings then Iam going to give up reading this novel.l am so anxious about this relationship

  44. Zainab Hassan Avatar
    Zainab Hassan

    I can’t believe that Lucian is giving Aubree another chance to renew their engagement after all the evil things she did. Esse is suffering too much and her father is not as concerned as before. This is too much for the little girl. Lucian and Roxanne’s misunderstanding is even getting worse than before. It is getting depressing. Hopefully, next chapters will be more uplifting.

  45. Akiko Imsong Avatar

    Waiting for the next chapter….

  46. Bookworm Avatar
    Bookworm

    It’s a long drawn out book. On many on line sites.

  47. Vernillia Avatar
    Vernillia

    The chapters are too short.
    Give us more.

  48. Merci Avatar

    I don’t understand if Roxanne and Lucian are so smart, how can there be so many misunderstandings, how can they be so stupid? If Lucian is in such a high position at work and has such a reputation, how come Aubree hasn’t been caught yet? How can no one see what is really happening? It’s so annoying and boring. Why is Aubree even in the picture?

  49. Akiko Imsong Avatar

    When are you going to update the next chapter?

  50. Rita Avatar

    Please more chapters and let’s see something happening with aubree getting found out about her hatred for Roxanne and Essie !!

  51. Rose Avatar
    Rose

    I couldn’t stand waiting any longer and went to the Tapon site. Yes, I paid about $20 for coins and sat for 7 hours reading this novel. I didn’t need to, I could have waited for the free coins each day. I don’t have the patience for this Shelf of Novels site and I don’t want to be reading 10 chapters every 4 days and end this next Christmas. The future chapters are really good. This novel would be an amazing movie or tv series.

  52. Lynn Avatar

    I agree whole heartedly at what Mwemwe has written the story is repetitive, and has become boring. I also believe they don’t read the comments, everyone asks for more than 10 chapters at a time and not so many days between another chapter. They are on deaf ears once again there are over 2000 so called chapters to this story,so there is a long way to the ending. At 10 chapters every 3 or 4 days. I lost interest in it. Once Ina while I log back in to read comments but they also are repetitive, so good luck everyone it will take months to finish hope it was worth it for all of you that remain

  53. Veronica Avatar

    I want everything revealed when Aubree thinks she won. Can’t wait for the time when Roxanne knows who is Essie’s mother, and Lucian to know who is the boys father. Don’t let the story stretch too long the readers will get bored.

  54. Shehni Avatar

    Why the wait is too long. Please more chapters

  55. Jackline Avatar
    Jackline

    Am sick and tired of lucian.His feelings are based on his kid!😳

  56. Bookworm Avatar
    Bookworm

    I’ve read it all, there is a bit of padding out. However it’s quite a good read.

  57. Wendy Avatar
    Wendy

    Poor Essie hope she don’t get hurt again by Aubree for god sake Lucian find out how evil this woman
    Tell Roxanne she is Essie mum and the boys are her brothers Roxanne let’s soon have a happy ending before one of the children get hurt
    New chapters soon

  58. Merri Avatar
    Merri

    Dear Author, I find it a bit crazy that Dr. Damaris tells Roxanne that Essie looks like her but she don’t put thought into it since the boys are the same age. Here’s a few questions:
    1. Why did Roxanne think her daughter had died and did she see the body?
    2. How did Lucien know she gave birth to Essie but not the boys?
    3. If Essie’s has Autism why would Lucien let Essie suffer so much?
    4. How can Aubree be left alone with Essie when he knows she has something to do with hurting her?
    5. Why don’t Lucien let Roxanne know he don’t want to marry Aubree?
    6. Why’s Lucien mother controlling his decision making about his love life?
    7. Who told the Lucien and his family Roxanne abandoned Essie?
    8. Why does it seem like only the children have common sense about what’s happening?

    I hope the story line changes to one of revelations and don’t keep us reads frustrated. It’s hard to imagine the hurt these children are facing. But for some reason I see a plot twist coming. More revelation chapters please.

  59. Unique Avatar
    Unique

    When are you going to update more chapter??? Can’t wait mweee😔

  60. chris Avatar
    chris

    I read that there is over 2000 chapters. Is that correct??

  61. Akiko Imsong Avatar

    Still waiting….

  62. Delia Sinistovic Avatar
    Delia Sinistovic

    More please