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Novel Catalog
Chapter 67
Aubree and Frieda watched in silence as Roxanne’s figure disappeared through the door. After a beat, they made their way to a window seat, sitting down with a palpable tension between them.
“Aubree,” Frieda began cautiously, her eyes fixed on the woman opposite her, “what exactly is your deal with Dr. Jarvis? You seem to know her, but your relationship doesn’t seem very friendly.”
Aubree was seething, her anger practically radiating off her. “How could it be friendly? Roxanne Jarvis is Lucian’s ex-wife!”
The words hit Frieda like a bolt of lightning. Her eyes widened in shock. “She’s Lucian’s ex-wife?”
The fact that Lucian had been married once was no secret. It had been discussed quietly among their circle for years, especially among those who’d known him growing up. But Aubree had always been seen as his future wife—until he had married someone else out of the blue. The identity of his wife had been a mystery to everyone, and after their divorce, no one had been able to figure out who she was. No one, that is, except Aubree.
Frieda’s mind flickered back to the night when Lucian had been so insistent on defending that woman. She recalled feeling puzzled by Lucian’s sudden insistence that she apologize to Roxanne for no apparent reason. Now, it all made sense.
“No wonder Lucian defended her that night,” Frieda murmured under her breath, a tinge of realization creeping into her voice.
Aubree’s eyes flashed with danger at the comment. She leaned forward sharply, her voice cold. “What do you mean by that? Lucian defended her? What are you talking about?”
Frieda, still visibly upset about the events of that evening, explained, her frustration evident. “It was the night Roxanne came knocking on our door, asking to treat Grandpa. I was skeptical, you know—she’s so young, and no one really knows if she has the skills she claims. I just voiced a couple of concerns, but Lucian and Essie both insisted that I apologize to her!”
Aubree’s heart sank in an instant. Panic washed over her as the weight of the situation settled in. She had spent so much energy keeping an eye on Roxanne, terrified that Lucian might meet her again. She’d done everything in her power to keep their marriage on track, convinced that her future with Lucian was secure. Yet, unbeknownst to her, they had already crossed paths. Worse still, Essie knew her and had defended her—something that suggested Lucian wasn’t entirely indifferent toward Roxanne.
“No, this can’t be happening,” Aubree muttered under her breath. “She came out of nowhere, took Lucian away from me, and now she’s back. This time, I won’t let her ruin everything.”
After leaving the restaurant, Roxanne, Archie, and Benny made their way home. The boys, still processing the encounter, exchanged glances. Although they couldn’t find any clear fault in what the women had said, they could sense the underlying hostility toward their mother. It was impossible to ignore the tension that had surrounded them.
Archie finally broke the silence, his brow furrowed with concern. “Who were those two people, Mommy?”
Roxanne’s expression remained calm as she answered, though her thoughts lingered on the unsettling exchange. “One of them is a family member of my patient. The other is probably… Essie’s mother.”
The words slipped out, but as soon as she said them, an inexplicable feeling of unease stirred within her.
Hearing this, Archie and Benny exchanged a knowing look, both visibly displeased.
“Ugh! So it’s because of that woman that Daddy left Mommy and didn’t want us anymore?” Benny said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Archie nodded in agreement, his little face tight with frustration. “How could she even compare to you, Mommy?”
Roxanne smiled softly at their loyalty, her heart warming despite the complicated emotions swirling inside her.
