Filed to story: Leaving the Country After Divorce Novel (Lucian & Roxanne)
By the time they settled in their room, it was already nighttime. Pippa led the parents to the restaurant the botanical garden had arranged for them.
Roxanne took Archie and Benny to get their food.
There were far more employees of the botanical garden at the restaurant than when they first gotoff the bus, and Estella did not like that.
She followed closely behind Roxanne, never taking her eyes off the latter.
Roxanne turned around when she sensed Estella’s gaze, and a pained look appeared in her eyes upon noticing the girl’s timid expression.
She immediately let Archie and Benny hold hands, thus allowing her to free one hand to take Estella’s.
Seeing Roxanne reach her hand out toward her, Estella took it without hesitation, her eyes crinkling as she beamed.
All signs of timidness had vanished from her face without a trace.
Lucian was still worried about Estella, so he followed her.
Then, he saw Roxanne and Estella holding hands, and mixed feelings surged within him as he walked behind Roxanne.
When it came to Roxanne’s turn to get their food, she found it hard to take four
portions at once.
Just as she was considering taking one portion first, then coming back to queue again and get more, a large hand reached over from behind her.
“I’ll do it,” Lucian said in a low voice.
She was stunned for a brief moment.
But when she gazed at the children and thought about how they must have been hungry, she did not refuse.
Handing him one of the plates, she continued taking her food.
In the end, she even took a plate of food for Lucian.
When it was time to eat, Estella did not want to leave Roxanne’s side and wanted to sit beside her.
Roxanne led the three kids to a table and sat down.
Then, Lucian sat on the other seat next to Estella.
The little girl was all happy to have Lucian sitting on one side and the beautiful Roxanne on the other.
Meanwhile, Archie and Benny could not help feeling resentful as they stared at the man next to Estella.
Those who didn’t know better would think that we were a family if they saw us like this.
However, this lousy daddy wants to marry another woman.
He doesn’t want to be with Mommy anymore! Infuriated by that thought, they had no wish to look at Lucian any longer.
They lowered their heads and focused on eating.
“Let’s eat, Archie and Benny!” Estella smiled as she scooped up some food with her spoon and placed it on the two boys’ plates.
Archie and Benny were momentarily stunned.
Looking up, they saw Estella solemnly using her small spoon to scoop some food from her plate to Lucian’s and Roxanne’s.
She gazed at them innocently and said, “Let’s eat, Daddy and Ms.Jarvis.” Seeing the small spoon stretched out toward her, Roxanne’s heart melted into a puddle.
if my daughter had survived all those years ago, she’d probably be as adorable and sensible as her…
Meanwhile, Lucian’s gaze darkened when he saw what Estella did.
After the news got out the last time, Mom came to the house and talked about Roxanne and me.
At that time, Essie asked me with an expectant expression whether! was marrying Roxanne.
She said she would like it if Roxanne became her mommy.
I don’t know whether I’m just imagining things, but I get the feeling that Essie thinks of Roxanne as her mother whenever they’re together.
If Essie knew that the Ms.Jarvis she adores is indeed her biological mother…
Thinking of that, Lucian glanced at Estella and the woman attending to her as he ate with a complex expression.
Roxanne sensed his gaze and looked up, glancing into his eyes in confusion.
Lucian furrowed his brows slightly when their eyes locked.
In the end, he merely withdrew his gaze without saying anything.
Roxanne thought of leaving right after dinner, yet the three children froze in their tracks when they stepped out of the restaurant, utterly transfixed by the view outside.
She followed their line of sight.
The restaurant was located in a botanical garden atop a mountain.
Naturally, there were fewer manmade structures and artificial lighting around.
Thus, the primary source of illumination came from the full moon.
Filtered through the shade of the trees, the moonlight appeared soft and hazy, lending an attractive glow to the plants in the botanical garden.
Many adults strolled through the beautiful garden with their children.
Benny tugged on Roxanne’s hand and pleaded, “Let’s walk through the garden too, Mommy!”
Roxanne rarely had the chance for a leisurely stroll.
The lovely scenery was simply irresistible, and she said to Lucian, “I’m taking the kids for a walk in the garden.
Why don’t you bring Essie home first, Mr.Farwell?” After that, she tried to let go of Estella’s hand and have the girl follow Lucian home.
Alas, the young girl refused to let go of Roxanne’s hand.
Roxanne had no choice but to bring her along for the stroll.
They wandered to a deserted part of the garden.
Benny grew excited as he surveyed the tall trees around him and suggested, “Mommy, let’s play hide-and-seek!”
Roxanne smiled and agreed.
“All right, but don’t run too far away.
It’s not safe.”
The children nodded obediently.
Roxanne planned to search for the boys with Estella, yet the young girl seemed eager to hide.
No one had ever played hide-and-seek with Estella before, and her gaze turned expectant as the boys suggested the game.
In the end, Roxanne reminded Archie and Benny to take care of Estella before she closed her eyes and allowed the children to hide.
“Are you ready? I’m going to look for you!” Roxanne shouted after giving them some seconds to hide.
The words had barely left her mouth when Estella’s childish voice drifted out from behind a tree.
“Ready!”
Roxanne could not help but laugh.
Although Estella’s reply had given away the children’s hiding spot, Roxanne pretended not to know their where about sand put on a good show of looking for them.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice rang out beside Roxanne.
“You must be Archie’s mother, yes?” Roxanne lifted her gaze and saw a lavishly dressed woman before her.
The woman held a young girl’s hand and shot Roxanne a sly smile.
Sensing her visitor was less than kind, Roxanne concealed the wariness that swelled in her chest before asking, “I am.
You are?” The woman shot her a disdainful glare before replying, “My identity doesn’t matter.
I’m here to remind you of something, Ms.Jarvis.
I hope you don’t take my advice lightly.” Her words brought a frown to Roxanne’s face.
The woman continued, “Essie has always been the apple of Mr.Farwell’s eye.
Mr.Farwell only holds you in higher regard because her daughter is close to you and yoursons.
This is an honor for your family.” Her tone turned icy as she got to the point.
“Ms.Jarvis, I hope you’re mindful of your situation.
Don’t assume you have a chance of developing a relationship with Mr.Farwell because of your children’s friendship.