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Novel Catalog
Chapter 39
Roxanne stepped out of the room, her heart still heavy with the weight of the phone call. Lowering her voice, she spoke softly into the phone, “I’m still treating a patient, so I’ll be back much later. Go play with Aunt Madilyn for now, alright?”
The children, accustomed to her late hours, simply agreed and went on with their play. It was routine for them—Mommy worked hard, and they knew it.
Meanwhile, back inside the room, Lucian’s expression had frozen, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface. His gaze was sharp, his jaw clenched. The echoes of Estella’s attempt to reach for Roxanne’s hand and the sound of “Mommy” ringing from the phone played on a loop in his mind.
So, that’s it. She’s already married, has other children. She must have left Estella all those years ago because of them…
The realization hit him like a blow, anger boiling through his veins. His eyes drifted to Estella, still standing there, her gaze fixed on the door, waiting for Roxanne to come back. There was disappointment in her eyes, but a glimmer of hope too. It hurt Lucian more than he cared to admit.
So what if she’s back? he thought bitterly. She still doesn’t want to care for her child.
He felt a surge of frustration that he could no longer contain. His expression darkened further as he moved toward Estella, picking her up into his arms. She tugged at his collar, a silent protest, but Lucian didn’t notice. He was too consumed by his thoughts, his anger clouding his judgment.
“It’s getting late,” he said coldly, his voice low and emotionless. “I’m taking Essie home now. If Old Mr. Queen wakes up, give me a call. I’ll stop by another day.”
Before Jonathan could even respond, Lucian turned and walked out of the room, Estella still in his arms.
Roxanne, who had just finished her call, was about to return to the room when she spotted Lucian walking past her, his face as cold and distant as ever. Her heart clenched at the sight of him, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure what to do. She wanted to say something, to stop him, but before she could react, he was already gone—no glance, no words.
Roxanne stood there for a few seconds, frozen, before a bitter laugh escaped her lips. It seems like he didn’t care about the call at all.
Six years ago, he hadn’t cared about her. Why would he care about her now? And as for the children, they were nothing to him—just strangers.
A deep, aching emptiness settled in her chest. She had always known they lived in different worlds, but now the reality of it stung more than ever. The emotional rollercoaster she’d just been through felt ridiculous in retrospect, a cruel joke.
Roxanne stood in the hallway for a long moment, her thoughts swirling, before sighing quietly and composing herself. It was time to return to the room. There was still work to be done.
Inside the room, Jonathan was still waiting. He had witnessed the entire interaction between Lucian and Roxanne, and something about it made him uneasy. There was something more to their relationship than met the eye. Lucian, in particular, seemed… off. He had never shown such raw emotion toward a woman before. The protective, almost desperate edge in his demeanor intrigued Jonathan, but he didn’t press further. After all, their history was private, and it wasn’t his place to ask.
Instead, he shifted the conversation toward Alfred’s condition, trying to focus on something more tangible.
Outside, Estella was growing more anxious as Lucian carried her out of the mansion. She fidgeted in his arms, her small face creased with worry. The moment they reached the car, she pulled out her notebook, writing down a message for her father.
I haven’t talked to Ms. Jarvis yet. Can we stay a little longer?
Lucian’s eyes flickered to the note. He felt a mixture of guilt and frustration swirl inside him. His daughter’s request only made the weight of everything heavier. The child was clearly attached to Roxanne, but it seemed that the woman had her own world, her own life, separate from Estella. His thoughts were clouded, and his temper simmered just beneath the surface.
Estella noticed her father’s distant expression. She reached for his hand, her small fingers clutching at his sleeve. She quickly scribbled down another message.
What’s wrong, Daddy? Why aren’t you happy?
Lucian’s heart clenched at the question. His gaze softened, and for a brief moment, he saw his daughter’s concern for him—the love and care in her eyes. But the weight of his thoughts, of everything unsaid between him and Roxanne, kept him silent. He couldn’t answer her. Not yet.
Instead, he gave her a quiet sigh, carrying her to the car without a word.
The chapter ends with a powerful moment of silence, leaving both Lucian and Estella in their own worlds of confusion and emotion. Would Lucian be able to face the truth about Roxanne and her past, or would his anger continue to blind him? And what would become of Estella’s quietly growing affection for Roxanne?
