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Novel Catalog
Chapter 58
Roxanne had initially intended to make a brief call to the research institute, simply to inform them she’d be arriving a bit later. However, the moment she picked up the phone, Colby’s voice greeted her instead. He immediately launched into a discussion about a project that had been consuming the team over the past few days, asking for her help with some group data before she could even get a word in.
As Roxanne immersed herself in the technical conversation, time slipped away unnoticed. It wasn’t until she heard Lucian’s voice from downstairs that she finally remembered her earlier plans. Panicking slightly, she hurriedly ended the call, making a quick mental note to deal with Colby’s request later.
Roxanne’s heart raced. She had almost forgotten that Lucian was arriving soon and that her two sons were still downstairs, keeping Estella company. If Lucian sees them together… Her mind raced with the potential consequences.
By the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, it was already too late. She turned the corner to find Lucian standing near the carpet, his cold gaze sweeping across the room. Her two sons were just finishing tidying up the Lego bricks, the atmosphere still thick with the quiet aftermath of their play.
Lucian turned sharply as if he sensed her presence, his eyes locking onto hers. The coldness in his gaze made her falter for a moment, but she steeled herself, squeezing her palms to calm her nerves. “You’re here,” she said, her voice steady but strained.
Lucian nodded, his expression unreadable, and his gaze lingered on her longer than necessary, as though weighing her every word and movement.
Roxanne’s guilt flared within her. Does he already know about the boys? She fought to maintain composure. “So… are you going to take Essie home now, or…?”
She was terrified he might ask to sit down and discuss matters further, especially after possibly piecing together the boys’ origins. To her relief, Lucian didn’t seem interested in lingering. “We’ll be leaving now. Don’t worry. I won’t stay here much longer,” he said flatly.
He then turned his attention to Estella, who was still meticulously packing up the Lego pieces. “Are you done packing up? It’s time to go.”
Estella had tried to prolong the task, moving slowly because she didn’t want to leave. But Archie and Benny, eager to be rid of the toys, had nearly cleaned up the whole area already. At her father’s prompt, Estella stood up, her movements sluggish and reluctant, her eyes brimming with tears as she glanced at Roxanne.
Roxanne’s heart tightened at the sight, but with Lucian standing there and the tension hanging thick in the air, no words of comfort could escape her lips. She simply stood silently, unwilling to risk angering Lucian further.
“Thank Ms. Jarvis, then we’ll go home,” Lucian instructed coldly.
Estella’s face softened slightly, but her eyes remained fixed on Roxanne with an expression of silent hope. She was waiting—hoping that the woman would say something, anything, that would make her feel welcome, like she could come back again.
Yet, after what felt like an eternity, no words came. Roxanne didn’t speak. The silence hung heavy in the room, and Estella’s shoulders slumped. She looked down at her notebook dejectedly.
Lucian, his patience wearing thin, finally spoke again. “Ms. Jarvis has to go to work. We shouldn’t bother her anymore.”
Estella, now crestfallen, picked up her notebook once more and slowly began to write. The pen seemed to take forever to move across the page, and the others could feel the weight of the girl’s disappointment.
After a long pause, Estella held the notebook up for Lucian to read.
Daddy, can I come to see Ms. Jarvis again next time? I want to be friends with Archie and Benny.
Roxanne’s heart ached at the words, and even Archie and Benny exchanged pained glances. They couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the little girl, but the silent warning in Lucian’s eyes kept them from saying anything. His coldness was a wall they couldn’t cross.
Lucian, his jaw tight and his frustration mounting, glared at the message before his gaze shifted to the children. The bond between them, so innocent and pure, seemed to irk him to no end.
With his teeth clenched, Lucian’s voice came out like a low growl. “No.”
