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Archie gave in and said, “We’ll head back then. Take good care of yourself, Mommy.” Hearing their brother’s words, Benny and Estella couldn’t voice their disagreement despite their unwillingness.
Roxanne let out a relieved sigh when they finally conceded. She nodded with a smile. “Got it. I’ll take good care of myself so that I can go home to you as soon as I can.”
“You must pick up our call!” Archie demanded with a grim look on his face. Roxanne knew the kids were worried sick for getting out of touch with her for the past two days. Her guilt clawed at her at that knowledge, so she agreed to Archie’s demand.
With her promise, the children finally relented. and released Roxanne’s hand reluctantly. Roxanne didn’t dare to meet their gazes and hurriedly turned her gaze to Lucian. “Lucian, you can send them back now.”
She was scared tears would flow from her eyes if she continued locking gaze with them. Guilt slammed upon her since she should stay by the children’s side seeing they were so upset.
However, she couldn’t discharge from the hospital. Thus she could only have Lucian take care of them on her behalf. Fear gripped Lucian as he watched the kids. being with Roxanne. He recalled how close she was to losing them.
However, he quickly snapped out of his flashback and collected his feelings at Roxanne’s cue. He nodded at the children and promised, “I’ll take good care of your mother. Going back obediently is the biggest help you can give to your mommy and me.”
He stepped closer to the kids and patted their heads before bending down and carrying Estella into his arms. He reached his empty. hand out to Archie and Benny.
Benny took his hand with tears still flowing while Archie held his brother’s hand. The kids cast a longing glance over their shoulders at Roxanne. Roxanne waved at them with a smile. She could feel the prick of tears at the back of her eyes. It was such a close shave and I would’ve lost them.
Watching Lucian and the kids leaving through the door, Roxanne’s gaze grew determined. I will do all I can to cure myself for the kids’ sake. They finally got a complete family after going through so much. I won’t ever let their situation revert to the past.
In the meantime, Lucian shut the backseat door after the children got in the car. He got in the driver seat and pulled away from the hospital toward the manor.
On the way there, the kids couldn’t stop crying. The atmosphere in the car was tense. Lucian’s heart ached for the children when he caught their red, puffy eyes through the rearview mirror.
“I promise you I’ll take good care of your mommy,” he swore. Benny sniffled before sobbing, “I trust you, Daddy. Every time Mommy got sick, you would take good care of her.”
When Mommy was sick before, Daddy would stay by Mommy’s side, and Mommy would get better every time. I’m sure this time is no different.
Guilt clenched Lucian’s stomach at Benny’s trust. His lips curled into a faint smile before answering, “That’s for sure.”
If they knew, they almost lost Roxanne because of me. I wonder if they would still trust me like this. The children were clueless about his thoughts. They merely pleaded with him to take care of their mother well.
Lucian agreed with a heavy heart. Lucian glimpsed at the rearview mirror again when the kids’ voices had gotten softer. Exhaustion from all the crying finally set in. Benny and Estella were sound asleep with their heads leaning against each another.
Lucian glanced at the passenger seat and was met with Archie’s wide-awake eyes. Shocked, Lucian questioned, “You’re still awake?”
I thought all of them had fallen asleep. Archie’s eyes were red and puffy too. Yet, he still kept a solemn look on his face. “Daddy, Mommy has been sick for many days already, right?”
Lucian’s expression grew tense at his question. He wasn’t sure if he should tell his son the truth. Archie is the most mature of the three. Explaining the situation to Archie first is the best option if I want to tell them the truth. They were still crying until a while ago, though. I don’t think it’s the right time to tell them yet.
After a few minutes of silence, Lucian decided to keep it from them. “No, that’s not it. Don’t think too much. Your mother just got a cold and a fever. She’ll be better soon.”
The second he finished, Archie immediately asked, “But Mommy never went on such a long business trip before.”
Lucian’s expression didn’t falter as he said, “That was because she was worried no one would take care of you, your brother, and your sister if she was gone for too long. Now that you have me, she can put her heart in her stomach.”
A mask of concentration overtook Archie’s face at Lucian’s answer. He’s right. Mommy wouldn’t go on long business trips before because she knew we would be waiting for her at home. Now that we’re living with Daddy, Mommy can be more at ease. But… still feel something doesn’t add up.
Lucian gazed ahead as he drove but occasionally would shoot glances to check on the kids in the backseat. He was fighting in his mind about whether to tell them the truth.
Suddenly, Archie’s voice broke the silence. He muttered with a frown, “Our hearts felt heavy the last time Mommy fainted. It’s the same this time.”
We shouldn’t have that feeling if Mommy only has a cold and fever. Besides, we felt it a few days ago. I’m sure Mommy’s condition is not just a simple fever.
However, he noted his father’s avoidance of telling him the truth, so being the thoughtful child that he was, he didn’t continue hounding his father about it. “No matter what’s wrong with Mommy. I trust that you’ll take good care of her as long as you’re there. We have faith in you, Daddy.”
His words were a copy of what Benny said earlier. When Mommy was sick before, Mommy always got better in the end under Daddy’s care. It I trust that this time will not be any different. Lucian couldn’t get a word out of his mouth at Archie’s absolute trust.
Archie didn’t mind Lucian’s silence. Instead, he said, “Daddy, all you have to focus on is caring for Mommy. Leave Benny and Essie to me! I’ll watch over them! You can’t let anything happen to Mommy, okay?”
Archie’s voice cracked at the end. Lucian glimpsed at the rearview mirror again and saw the unshed tear in the corner of his eyes. His heart clenched again. “Got it. I won’t let anything happen to your mother. I’ll protect her even if I have to give up my life.”
Archie shook his head fervently. “No! I want both Daddy and Mommy to be safe and sound! We want Mommy to come back, but Daddy, you can’t leave us too!”
His words moved Lucian’s heart. Lucian comforted, “All right. I’ll come back with your mother. Don’t be scared.”
Archie finally nodded as he cried. Lucian sent them back to the Manor. When the children woke up, they were still feeling a bit down.
As he was worried about them, he watched them wash up and return to their rooms before leaving the house.
Back at the hospital, Roxanne was still awake. Lucian quickened his pace when he saw the lights in her ward were still on. “Why are you still up?” He was worried when he saw Roxanne sitting on the bed in a daze.
Roxanne returned to her senses after she heard his voice and smiled. “I’ve slept too much for four days straight, so I can’t fall asleep now.”
Then, she asked about the kids, “Where are the kids? Are they asleep?” “I’ve tugged them in bed before coming here,” Lucian replied.
Roxanne felt more at ease hearing that. Soon after, she started worrying about him. “You look pale. You should get a good rest at home.” People might think Lucian was the one who was sick after seeing his face.
Hearing that, Lucian ran his hand down his face instinctively. Then, he forced a smile. “I had the experience of being unable to sleep for days for work so it’s no big deal.”
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.