Seeing him put on a strong and mature front made Madilyn emotional, and she was quiet for several seconds. Then, she forced a smile and held out a hand to take his.
Linda led the way while Peregrine trailed behind the trio, staring at Archie curiously. This little thing can’t be more than five or six years old, but he’s already amazing. Sure enough, the apple never falls far from the tree!
While on their way to the warehouse, Archie asked glumly, “Aunt Madilyn, is my mommy very sick?” At the sound of his voice, she stopped walking and lowered her gaze to glance at him, only to see him looking up at her with worry etched across his innocent, little face.
Patting his head, she sidestepped the question. “As long as you can help us, your mommy will be fine. There’s nothing to worry about.”
He did not say anything. I can tell from Aunt Madilyn’s expression that Mommy is seriously ill this time. I’ve got to do what I can to help!
His question made Madilyn even more anxious to the point where she could not stop herself from leaning over to pick Archie up in her arms and continue walking at a quicker pace. Instantly understanding what Madilyn was thinking, Linda also sped up in front of them. The four of them hurried all the way to the warehouse.
Referring to the prescription Peregrine gave him, Archie began reciting the locations of the medicinal herbs according to the list. “Second warehouse, third row, fifth compartment. First warehouse, topmost row, third compartment from the left. Fifth warehouse, last row, first compartment.”
He gave clear and precise locations for every medicinal herb needed. Linda and Madilyn were in charge of searching for the medicinal herbs while Peregrine was responsible for weighing them out. Thanks to their seamless teamwork, they succeeded in gathering all the medicinal herbs after one hour.
Then, Peregrine checked through each one of them again. After making sure there were no mistakes, he stroked Archie’s hair and sighed in relief. “My child, you’re so smart!” The boy looked up at him. “You’re a very skilled doctor, aren’t you?”
Peregrine’s expression softened when he heard. Archie’s cute voice. “Your mother is also a very skilled doctor.” “But Mommy’s not well now. Are you able to cure her?” Archie asked, gazing at the elderly man in earnest.
Those words touched a chord in Peregrine’s heart, and he vowed solemnly, “I’ll try my best!”
Archie bowed to Peregrine politely. “Thank you.” Peregrine gazed at the boy affectionately. He was now even more determined to cure Roxanne.
After checking the medicinal herbs, Peregrine wasted no time in leading a team to start researching the antidote. Archie sat in a corner and waited restlessly.
Meanwhile, Lucian and Jonathan stayed with Benny and Estella in the laboratory. They were all feeling downcast.
“Daddy, what’s the matter with Mommy?” Estella grew impatient and turned to Lucian with a pitiful expression, hoping to get an answer.
Lucian lowered his gaze, and his eyes darkened. Nonetheless, he maintained a calm and collected demeanor. “She’s fine. Don’t you trust that her prescription will work?”
Knitting her brows, Estella thought about it carefully. She nodded at first, then shook her head. “I trust Mommy’s capabilities, but I still have at bad feeling here,” she replied, pointing at her heart while looking upset. Lucian widened his eyes when he saw that.
Jonathan, on the other hand, could not help averting his gaze. So, that’s the bond between a mother and her children. Despite everything we’ve done, it’s still difficult to hide from these kids that Roxanne is in critical condition. However, who would have the heart to tell them the cruel truth?
“She’s going to be fine,” Lucian said. Even he was at a loss for how to break the truth to the children. If Roxanne were conscious, she wouldn’t want the kids to worry about her.
Although he did not really answer the question, his answer confirmed what Estella said. The little ones vaguely guessed that something serious had happened to their mother.
Estella bowed her head, too disconsolate to talk. Benny was also upset, but because Roxanne had been the one who brought him up all this while, he was used to being strong.
“I’m sorry. If I’d put in the effort to pick up some medical knowledge from Mommy, I wouldn’t be so powerless to help now,” he uttered softly. blaming himself. At least Archie can help with finding the medicinal herbs. However, all I can do is sit here and wait.
When Lucian heard Benny reproach himself, he frowned and patted his head comfortingly. “Waiting here quietly like this is already the biggest help you can give Mommy and Daddy.”
Benny’s eyes reddened. Bowing his head in embarrassment, he said softly, “I wonder how Mommy’s doing. In any case, Archie is very capable. I’m sure he’ll be able to help Mommy.”
Lucian’s heart ached as he crouched down and hugged Benny. Roxanne is in critical condition, and the children are worried sick. Now, Benny is blaming himself. I really don’t know how else to comfort them.
Held in Lucian’s arms, Benny finally shed his strong front and revealed his vulnerable side. He rested his head against Lucian’s shoulder and secretly wiped his tears.
“I want Daddy to hug me too!” Estella rushed over to Lucian pitifully with reddened eyes and nose. She made for a heart-rending sight indeed.
Stretching out his other arm, he wrapped the little girl in a tight embrace. “Don’t be scared. I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to Mommy. You have my word.”
Leaning against him, the two children nodded while sobbing. The pair had been in tense spirits the past few days. Now, they could finally release their emotions and bawl their eyes out. The crying eventually exhausted them, and they fell asleep in Lucian’s arms.
Even though they were asleep, their tears kept flowing, and they would let out choked sobs from time to time. Lucian lifted a hand and carefully wiped away their tears.
“Roxanne will surely be fine,” Jonathan murmured. Even he, a grown man, could not help tearing up, and his voice sounded a little hoarse.
Lucian gave a slight nod, then raised his head abruptly to look at his friend. “Thank you for your help with this whole situation.”
Jonathan frowned and did not look too pleased. “How many times have I told you? We’re practically family. There’s no need to thank me. Moreover, Roxanne is my family’s benefactor, so I’m only doing what I should be by helping her.”
“If you hadn’t helped to find Old Mr. Lomax, I’m afraid there wouldn’t have been anyone else who could help Roxanne develop the antidote. And even if someone else were to do it, I wouldn’t be comfortable with it,” Lucian continued in a low voice as though he had not heard a word Jonathan said. Jonathan has been following Old Mr. Lomax around tirelessly ever since the latter got here.
Those words triggered a frown from Jonathan. “If Roxanne hadn’t saved my grandfather back then, he would’ve passed away already. Anyway, now isn’t the time to be talking about all that. Calm down, Lucian. Roxanne is going to be okay.”
Having grown up with Lucian, I understand him all too well. He wouldn’t be so easily affected if it wasn’t because he’s in extreme emotional turmoil.
Lucian went silent for a few seconds and glanced at Benny and Estella before massaging his temple. I’m indeed panicking. I wonder how Roxanne is doing now.
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.