Chapter 112 – The Abandoned Wife: Leaving the Country After Divorce Novel

Filed to story: Leaving the Country After Divorce Novel (Lucian & Roxanne)

“Why are you here?”

The person mentioned in the news was standing at her door. He was dressed in a thin shirt, and his hair was slightly messy.

After their previous fight, she knew Lucian would often come to visit.

However, he was tactful enough to not show himself before her.

This was the first time they met in person after the fight.

After hearing the news earlier, Roxanne had no idea how she should face him.

As the newscaster’s sound could be heard faintly, Lucian knew Roxanne should’ve heard about his engagement. He studied her carefully but realized she seemed calm.

Shortly after, he broke the silence. “I’m here to pay Essie a visit. How is she doing?”

Roxanne stepped aside to allow him entry. “She’s upstairs. I need to talk to you about her.”

They entered the living room one after another. Roxanne gestured for him to take a seat on the couch while she occupied a single couch aside.

Catalina served them coffee and left after realizing they had something to discuss.

“What is it?” Lucian’s heart sank when he noticed her expression.

Roxanne revealed calmly, “I agreed to let Essie stay here temporarily because of her condition. She is doing better these few days. She is also starting to talk. Compared to her past self, she has improved a lot. There is no need for her to remain here.”

She was telling him to bring Estella back home.

Lucian’s expression turned grim. “Since she’s improving a lot here, she might recover completely if she stays here. If it doesn’t trouble you—”

Roxanne interjected swiftly, “I’m sorry. Essie’s your daughter, so I believe she’ll recover faster if she stays with you. I’m just a stranger to her, after all.”

Lucian’s brows puckered when he realized she was determined. “Why the sudden decision? I thought you were taking care of her well?”

Roxanne met his gaze and flashed a sarcastic grin. “I’m not obliged to take care of someone else’s daughter. Previously, I agreed to take care of her as she was sick. I’ve done what I could. Mr. Farwell, you should know when to stop. We’re not even related, so you shouldn’t force me to take care of your daughter.”

Glancing at the TV, which was still playing the news, she added icily. “Besides, I don’t want to get involved with a married man and risk getting accused of being a homewrecker one day.”

Lucian gazed at the TV silently. He couldn’t utter a single word in rebuttal.

Since he did not deny it, Roxanne assumed she was right. Her voice grew frosty. “I’ve been busy with work recently, and taking care of your daughter will merely add to my burden. I don’t want to force myself, so please don’t make things difficult for me and bring her back as soon as possible.”

Roxanne’s face was devoid of expression as she said that out loud. Averting her gaze, she said nothing else as her nails dug into her palms

She only made up her mind hastily after Lucian arrived.

Lucian is about to marry Aubree. If Essie remains here, he’ll often show up. That is not right. It’s best to keep a distance from him rather than cause a misunderstanding in the future.

Sensing her intention, Lucian frowned. “Didn’t you say that the kids are innocent?”

Without flinching, Roxanne replied, “I won’t stop Archie and Benny from being friends with Essie. Essie is welcome to play with them anytime.”

Still, I’ll do my best to avoid Lucian.

The silence lasted for a while, but eventually, Lucian broke it. “As you wish.”

Roxanne nodded and walked up the stairs to get Estella.

All three kids were hanging out in Archie and Benny’s room at the time. Everyone was upset, and the atmosphere in the room was grim.

Archie and Benny were playing with their respective robot toys, whereas Estella had buried her head into her plush toy’s tummy. All three were immersed in their own worlds.

When they heard the door opening, all three of them unanimously shifted their attention toward the door.

Roxanne softened her stance when she looked into their eyes. However, she later thought about the man waiting downstairs and became resolute again. She said calmly, “Essie, your dad is here to pick you up.”

All three kids were stunned to hear that.

Estella, in particular, bulged her eyes that were shining with confusion while she hugged her plush toy, not moving a muscle.

Roxanne looked down as she repeated stiftly, “Your dad is waiting downstairs, so hurry along now.”

After saying all that, she moved to the side and waited quietly by the door.

“Ms. Jarvis…” murmured Estella. Her voice suggested that she was a little scared and extremely reluctant to leave.

Roxanne forced herself to look away from the kid’s face. She did not dare to say a word because she worried that she would ask the kid to stay the second her lips parted.

It took some time before the kid finally made her way to the door.

Roxanne couldn’t help stroking her hair, then held her hand as they walked down the stairs together.

Lucian had already gotten up from the couch by then, and he had one hand in his pocket as he stood in the middle of the living room. It seemed like he was ready to take Estella away as soon as she showed up.

Roxanne held Estella’s hand until they were off the last step. After that, she spoke in a sweet voice, “Go on, then.”

Having said that, she let go of Estella’s hand.

Estella stared at her father, then at the beautiful lady beside her. The kid’s eyes shone with dissatisfaction and reluctance. She only took two steps forward before she suddenly turned back around and hugged Roxanne’s leg tightly, refusing to let go.

Roxanne’s heart melted and turned into a messy mush as she reached out her hand. At first, she wanted to stroke Estella’s head to offer her some comfort, but her hand stopped midair before it reached for Estella’s hands and gently pried them away from her leg. “Be good and go home with your dad. I will be very busy in the coming days, and you know that.”

As if she sensed something amiss about the situation, Estella used her tiny hands to grab Roxanne’s skirt and shook her head fervently. “No! No going home!”

Lucian frowned a little when he heard what the kid said. At the same time, his eyes gleamed with surprise and a hint of bitterness.

She needs her mother so badly, but that woman has no intention of taking care of her…

Roxanne shifted her gaze to the man standing right there and prayed that he would say something.

However, Lucian merely stood there with a stoic expression. He stared at the two of them but seemed to have no intention of helping at all.

Roxanne retracted her gaze when she saw that, following which, she crouched down to look at Estella’s cute face.

Tears filled up Estella’s eyes as she pouted aggrievedly and looked at Roxanne longingly. “I want to stay with you!”

Roxanne’s gaze softened upon hearing that. At the end of the day, she couldn’t bear to see the kid crying, so she patiently cooed, “Be good, Essie. I know you like me. I enjoy spending time with you too, but I have been really busy and tired lately. If you wish to help me, then be good and go home with your dad, okay?”

“I want to stay with Ms. Jarvis…” murmured Estella stubbornly as she bit her lip.

There’s no saying if I can see Ms. Jarvis again if I go home with Daddy now…

When Roxanne looked into Estella’s eyes, she realized what the kid was thinking, and for a minute there, Roxanne didn’t know what to say.

She remained quiet for a few minutes before she smiled and said sweetly, “I will always be here, and you can drop by anytime you want, okay?”

However, Estella didn’t quite buy those words.

Meanwhile, Lucian misread the situation and thought that Roxanne only said those words to chase Estella away. Hence, he sternly reminded, “Estella Farwell, have you forgotten that this is not your home?”

Estella slowly lowered her head before turning around and walking to her father right away.