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Novel Catalog
Chapter 75
Estella blinked, her sobs gradually subsiding. Still unsure, she pursed her lips, her eyes filled with doubt.
She had overheard Lucian talking to her teacher, and she knew the twins hadn’t been at kindergarten that day. Could it really be a coincidence?
Lucian sensed her skepticism and felt even more helpless. “I’m not lying to you. They didn’t go to school today because they were unwell. You’ll see them tomorrow,” he explained gently.
Estella’s lips remained pursed, and suspicion clouded her features.
Lucian, feeling defeated, sighed. “What can I do to make you believe me?”
He never imagined that Archie and Benny would mean so much to Estella—that she would be so attached to them that she couldn’t accept his word alone.
After a pause, Estella hesitated before letting Catalina set her down. She then picked up a small notebook from the mess on the floor and, still sobbing, began scribbling something. Her squiggly writing read: Confirm!
Lucian understood immediately. She wanted the boys to confirm with her that they hadn’t been expelled, and that she would still see them at kindergarten.
The thought of going to Roxanne’s house made his head ache. But seeing Estella’s pleading expression, he knew he had no choice.
When Lucian didn’t immediately respond, Estella gripped her notebook tightly, her face filled with distress, as if she were about to cry again.
Lucian remembered how heartbroken she had been earlier and couldn’t bear it any longer. With a soft sigh, he relented, “Okay, I’ll take you to see them now.”
Estella froze, blinking in surprise to confirm that she had heard him correctly. Lucian nodded.
She quickly wiped her eyes, packed her bag, and slung it over her shoulder, walking toward him, still sniffling from the tears she’d shed.
Lucian was at a loss for words at how quickly Estella’s mood shifted. With no other option, he took her hand and led her out to visit Roxanne.
At Roxanne’s house, she was having dinner with Archie and Benny when the doorbell rang. Thinking it was Madilyn coming for a visit, Roxanne opened the door without hesitation.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw who was standing there.
“Are you two… Essie, are you here to play with Archie and Benny?” Roxanne asked, confused. That seemed to be the only reason she could think of for Lucian to be at her door.
Lucian stood tall and composed, holding Estella’s hand. He wore a simple shirt with the sleeves rolled up, but there was something about his presence that made the situation feel heavier.
Estella lifted her head, her eyes still red from crying. Roxanne couldn’t help but wonder if the slight redness in her eyes was from the breeze, but she quickly realized that Estella looked genuinely upset.
As soon as Estella saw Roxanne, the weight of the sadness she had been carrying that day surged up again. She sniffed, her lips trembling, and the urge to cry overtook her.
Lucian noticed the change in Estella’s demeanor but was unsure how to address the situation. How was he supposed to explain? My daughter was upset because I told the kindergarten to expel your sons? And now she insists on confirming the reason for their absence?
He decided it was better not to bring it up—he had already dismissed the idea of expelling the twins and didn’t need to revisit it.
The atmosphere at the door became awkward. Roxanne glanced between Lucian and Estella, both of whom seemed reluctant to speak. Feeling puzzled, she finally looked down at Estella. “Essie, is something wrong? It’s quite late already.”
Estella nodded, her lips pressed tight, and broke free from Lucian’s hand. He had no choice but to let her go.
In an instant, tears began to roll down Estella’s cheeks once more. She walked toward Roxanne, her small arms reaching out as she silently begged for comfort.
Roxanne’s heart softened as she saw the distress on Estella’s face. Without hesitation, she knelt down and pulled the little girl into her arms, holding her close.
