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Novel Catalog
Chapter 22
Once the two boys were upstairs, Roxanne’s smile faded slowly, as if it were a mask slipping off. The noise in the house had quieted, leaving behind a feeling of stillness that mirrored the storm brewing in her mind.
Madilyn, noticing the change, turned off the television and inched closer, concern furrowing her brows. “What’s the matter? Something on your mind?”
Roxanne hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice light but betraying a touch of unease. “I ran into Lucian during dinner.”
There was no one but Madilyn who she could talk to about what had happened six years ago—the good, the bad, and the things left unsaid.
Madilyn froze, her eyes widening as the information sank in. She leaned in, speaking in a whisper as if the air around them had thickened. “What kind of fate keeps tying you both together? Horington is huge, and I never thought there was any chance of you two crossing paths unless you were actively looking for each other.”
Roxanne lowered her gaze, lost in thought for a few moments. She wasn’t sure whether she wanted to relive the past, but the words slipped out anyway.
“So, what are you thinking about after seeing him again?” Madilyn pressed gently.
Roxanne’s lips turned downward, a sigh escaping her. “What could I possibly be thinking? My relationship with him ended six years ago. We’re nothing but strangers now. I’ve moved on. All I want is to focus on raising Archie and Benny, building a good life for us. I won’t let him affect me anymore.”
Madilyn’s heart gave a small, relieved thrum at Roxanne’s words. She gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “That’s right. You’re an amazing woman, and there are plenty of good people out there for you. Don’t let that jerk from your past get into your head. Leave him in the past where he belongs.”
Roxanne nodded, but the conversation still left a heaviness in her chest. She quickly changed the topic, eager to move on. “By the way, I haven’t gotten a car since I came back. I had to rely on coworkers for rides to the party last night, and it’s starting to feel a bit inconvenient. Are you free tomorrow to help me pick one out?”
Madilyn raised an eyebrow, a playful grin spreading across her face. “Why buy a car when I have a few sitting in my garage? Just take your pick!”
Roxanne chuckled, arching an eyebrow. “Are you really that generous?”
Without skipping a beat, Madilyn wrapped her arm around Roxanne’s neck and smirked. “Of course. You’re my godsons’ mother. What’s mine is yours!”
Roxanne’s laughter filled the room. “Well, thank you then.”
The two women shared a moment of lightheartedness, the tension from the earlier conversation dissipating. They talked for a while longer, but as time passed, Madilyn reluctantly stood up to head back to her house next door.
After Roxanne washed up, she lay in bed, but sleep wouldn’t come. Her mind kept returning to that dinner—Lucian’s gaze, the way the past rushed back like a tide she hadn’t expected. Tossing and turning, she finally drifted into an uneasy slumber.
In her dream, she found herself back in the empty room at The Waterfront. Lucian was there, pinning her against the wall, his eyes dark and intense. He leaned closer, and just as their lips were about to meet, Roxanne jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat.
Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of his presence lingering in her mind. Sleep was impossible now.
The next morning, as she sat at the breakfast table with her children, Roxanne’s exhaustion was obvious. Dark circles under her eyes stood out against her otherwise calm face.
“Mommy, did you not sleep well last night?” Archie asked, his voice full of concern as he stared at her.
Roxanne stiffened slightly, the remnants of her dream still clouding her thoughts. After a beat, she smiled lightly, trying to mask the tension. “Yes, I just lost track of time reading some documents.”
Archie and Benny exchanged a glance but said nothing more. They were perceptive beyond their years, and Roxanne knew they could sense something was off.
“Don’t tire yourself out too much, Mommy. You need to take care of yourself,” Benny said softly, his small hands reaching up to pat her arm.
Roxanne smiled, feeling the weight of their words settle in her heart. “I will, sweetheart. Thank you.”
After breakfast, she took the boys to Madilyn’s house.
“Choose whatever you want,” Madilyn said with a smile, waving a bunch of car keys in her hand. She led them into the garage where a variety of luxury cars were parked.
The boys’ eyes widened in awe, their excitement bubbling over as they pointed at the different cars. “Aunt Madilyn, you’re amazing!” they exclaimed in unison, their voices full of admiration.
Roxanne smiled fondly at her sons before walking around the garage herself. After a quick deliberation, she chose a mid-range Mercedes-Benz, priced at over a million. It was elegant, yet practical for her needs.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Madilyn handed over the keys. “It’s yours. No need to thank me.”
Once Roxanne was behind the wheel, she drove the boys to their kindergarten.
“Bye, Mommy! Don’t overwork yourself!” Archie and Benny called out as they climbed out of the car, their concern still evident in their voices.
Roxanne ruffled their hair affectionately. “You be good at school. I’ll pick you up later tonight.”
The boys nodded obediently, walking into the kindergarten hand in hand. Roxanne waited until they were safely inside before driving away, the road stretching out ahead of her.
Just a few minutes later, a sleek Rolls-Royce appeared in front of the kindergarten’s entrance. Cayden got out of the car, moving to open the door for Lucian’s daughter, Estella.
Lucian’s eyes followed his daughter as she stepped out of the car. She was smiling—happier than usual.
“Go on in,” Lucian said softly, reaching out to ruffle Estella’s hair.
Estella nodded, waving at her father as she turned to head toward the entrance. Lucian watched her leave, his mind racing.
Estella seemed so much more relaxed today. Was it because of the other children? Was she finally letting her guard down after all this time?
Lucian felt a flicker of hope in his chest. Maybe the psychiatrist was right. If he let Estella interact more with her peers, her symptoms might improve. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for her to live a more normal life.
But that didn’t stop the rest of his thoughts. Roxanne. Her face. The dream. His lips still tingled from the memory.
He clenched his jaw. No, he thought firmly. I won’t go down that road again.
