Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter 47
“I remember you came back from overseas with Archie and Benny. Considering they grew up abroad, I’m surprised at how well they speak Chanaean,” the teacher remarked with a smile.
The conversation was light, a mere excuse for the teacher to chat, since there wasn’t much to discuss regarding Archie and Benny’s performances in class. They were excelling, after all.
Roxanne smiled and nodded. “That’s because there were still many Chanaeans around to converse with them.”
The boys, as usual, stayed silent, smiling politely and nodding at anything their mother said.
The teacher chuckled, impressed by their obedience. “And besides Chanaean and Ustranasion, they seem to speak Ferropenian as well, don’t they?”
“Mmm-hmm, they probably picked it up from my colleagues overseas,” Roxanne replied, affectionately ruffling their hair.
The teacher’s admiration grew. “I must say, they’re exceptional—three languages at their age, and they’re already on track with the elementary school curriculum. And with their exquisite looks, you really do have exceptional children!”
Roxanne beamed with pride, her heart swelling. “You flatter us. They’re just ordinary children who enjoy learning.”
As they continued chatting, Roxanne kept an eye on the door, her gaze occasionally flickering to the entrance. She couldn’t help but wonder when Estella’s parents would arrive to pick her up.
The teacher, noticing her distraction, checked the time and answered, “They should be here soon.”
Roxanne nodded and glanced down at Estella, still holding onto her sleeve with quiet determination, as if she feared being left behind.
After a moment, Roxanne sighed softly, realizing that she couldn’t leave just yet. Turning to the boys, she said, “Can you boys go wait in the car for me? I’ll be right there.”
They both nodded obediently, walking to the kindergarten’s entrance without complaint. Once they were in the car, Roxanne gave them one last glance before returning her attention to Estella.
It was better to keep the boys out of the way. She didn’t want to risk running into Lucian and Aubree, and keeping them in the car would help avoid that encounter.
Outside, Archie and Benny climbed into the backseat of the car. They settled in, gazing out the windows, curious about what their mother was up to.
Benny tilted his head, fidgeting with his schoolbag. “Why do you think Mommy asked us to wait here?” he wondered aloud, his chin resting in his hand.
Archie, after putting his bag in place, leaned against the window next to his brother. “Because Daddy is about to arrive,” he said, his voice thoughtful.
Benny’s eyes widened at that. “You mean… he’s here?” He had a sudden suspicion that he was right. Mommy had been acting strangely, avoiding an encounter. Little did she know, the boys had already uncovered the truth about their father—they knew who he was and what he looked like.
As if on cue, a sleek Rolls-Royce pulled up by the curb. Benny, ever the curious one, watched intently as a tall figure emerged from the car. The man was dressed sharply in a long-sleeved shirt and pants, looking every bit the part of the powerful, influential figure he was.
Benny, his eyes glued to the man, turned to Archie with a nudge. “Look, Archie, could that be Daddy?”
Archie’s eyes followed the man as well, his expression unreadable. After a long moment, he nodded with quiet conviction. “That’s him. The man from the picture.”
Benny, unable to contain his excitement, grinned wide. “Daddy looks even more dashing in real life than in the pictures!”
But Archie wasn’t smiling. Instead, he shot Benny a glare, his expression darkening. “Didn’t I tell you not to like him?”
Benny, taken aback, zipped his mouth shut, his face flushed with embarrassment. He knew his brother was right—this was the man who had abandoned them.
As they watched, both boys fell silent, their thoughts drifting in different directions. For Benny, the sight of his father, handsome and composed, was an exciting revelation. But for Archie, it was a reminder of the man who had left them behind.
