Filed to story: Leaving the Country After Divorce Novel (Lucian & Roxanne)
Estella lowered her head and muttered aggrievedly, “Ms.Jarvis…”
She yearned to meet with Roxanne.
Hearing Estella’s words, Lucian’s face darkened instantaneously.
He had been too occupied lately, so he had not considered Roxanne would also participate in that activity.
However, at the thought of how Roxanne was evading him, Lucian highly doubted she would personally bring Archie and Benny to join the event.
He figured Roxanne might even disallow them to go altogether.
The screen of his phone lighted up.
Pippa sent a message in the WhatsApp group: No guardian has texted me in private thus far, so I assume everyone will be coming.
This activity will enhance the bond between children and their parents.
I’ll take this opportunity to wish everyone a great time in advance.
The screen slowly dimmed afterward.
Lucian’s resolution wavered.
He patted Estella’s head and croaked, “I got it.
It was weekend soon. Roxanne brought the kids to the kindergarten early in the morning.
That was the first time Archie and Benny attended a group activity.
Holding Roxanne’s hands, the two kids could not contain their curiosity as they continuously took in their surroundings eagerly.
Many children walked over and greeted Archie and Benny one after the other, and the siblings responded in kind.
Only then did Roxanne realize how popular Archie and Benny were at the kindergarten.
“Ms. Jarvis!”
Suddenly, a childish voice sounded from behind her.
Roxanne had not met Estella for a long time, so she also missed the latter dearly.
When she heard the little girl’s voice, Roxanne grinned out of habit and turned
around to hug Estella.
However, when she turned on her heels, Roxanne was instead met with Lucian’s gaze.
Her expression stiffened as the smile on her face gradually dissipated.
She merely lifted her arm and patted Estella’s head.
“Good morning, Essie.” Then, she looked up indifferently at the man standing before her.
“Good morning,
Mr.Farwell.” As they were participating in an outdoor activity, Lucian was dressed in casual attire.
The dark-colored lightweight windbreaker that wrapped around his body accentuated his tall and broad figure.
His fringe hung loosely over his forehead, giving him a younger look.
Lucian’s eyes darkened when he held Roxanne’s gaze.
The next moment, he flashed an impassive smile as well.
“I thought you would not come today, Ms.Jarvis.”
Roxanne was stunned upon hearing that.
Naturally, she fathomed he was hinting at the way she had been avoiding him lately.
At that thought, she could not help but feel the sarcasm.
Shouldn’t he know better why I’m avoiding him? Who gives him the right to criticize
me, then?
Roxanne gazed downward nonchalantly after recollecting herself.
“This is the first time Archie and Benny are attending a group activity, so I should accompany them.” Lucian glanced at Estella who was standing next to him and agreed, “You’re right, Ms.Jarvis.
This is also Essie’s first time participating in a group activity since her recovery, so I have to make time to keep her company regardless of my busy schedule.” Roxanne’s heart softened at the mention of Estella’s illness as she regarded the little girl with an expression filled with the utmost tenderness.
Estella was staring at Roxanne with her large eyes.
When their lines of vision came in contact, Estella beamed at the latter.
Taking in Estella’s innocent smile, Roxanne merely felt her heart ached.
She could not bear to pull her eyes away from Estella even after a long while.
As the crowd began to swell, many parents walked over, attempting to become acquainted with Lucian.
Only then did Roxanne look away from Estella and take a step back.
“I shall not keep you occupied since you’re so busy, Mr.Farwell.” With that, she turned around and left with Archie and Benny.
The parents surrounding Lucian were still talking, but he was not paying any attention to them.
Instead, his pensive eyes bore into Roxanne’s leaving figure from behind.
Roxanne wore a yellow dress with white flower petals design that day.
She gave off a gentle and motherly vibe with her long hair casually placed behind her ears with a hairclip.
Archie and Benny, holding their mother’s hands, were dressed identically in white sports outfits.
They appeared no different from two little princes.
The trio was exceptionally eye-catching amidst the crowd.
When Estella noticed Roxanne leaving, she anxiously broke away from Lucian’s grasp.
Lucian knew his daughter’s intention.
Still, he did not stop her and simply let go of
her hand, allowing Estella to do as she pleased.
Roxanne had just moved a short distance away when she sensed someone grabbing the hem of her dress.
Assuming that a naughty child had done that, she turned around, wanting to ask the child to let go.
However, her eyes fell on Estella’s pitiful-looking face the next instant.
“Ms.Jarvis, do you not like me anymore?” Clutching the hem of Roxanne’s dress, Estella pouted and gazed at the former with sad eyes.
Estella wore a blue lace top paired with a long white skirt. She looked like a little princess witha big red ribbon perched on her head and a faint blush on her fair complexion.
Moreover, everyone at the kindergarten knew she was Lucian’s precious daughter, so when they saw Estella grabbing the hem of a woman’s dress in a pitiable state, the crowd turned in the little girl’s direction.
Roxanne had a soft spot for Estella, to begin with.
With so many people staring at them, Roxanne was at a loss at that instant.
She glanced at Lucian, who was standing in the distance.
At that moment, he was surrounded by a group of parents and was politely engaged in a discussion, seemingly ignorant of the ongoing scene on Roxanne’s end.
In the end, she could only retract her gaze, crouched down, and patted Estella’s head.
“There’s no way I will dislike you.
You’re such a good girl, Essie.” Estella sniffled before complaining in a childish voice, “You never come to visit me lately, Ms.Jarvis.
I miss you so much.” Roxanne’s heart melted at once.
She had the urge to embrace Estella and coax her.
However, because of the many pairs of watchful eyes around them, she could only hold the little girl’s hands and say, “I’ve been very busy recently and just came back from outstation work two days ago.” Upon hearing that, a hint of confusion flashed across Estella’s eyes as she looked at Roxanne in bafflement.
“Why did you walk away then?”
If Ms.Jarvis likes me, why didn’t she spend more time with me when we finally meet after so long?
Roxanne was rendered speechless by Estella’s question.
There was no way she could tell Estella that she had walked away because of her father, Lucian.
Sensing Roxanne’s prolonged silence, Estella began to pout again as disappointment filled her eyes.
Roxanne was overwhelmed by guilt at the sight of Estella’s demeanor.
Just when she was at a loss of how to comfort the little girl, Roxanne felt someone’s shadow loom over her.
She gazed upward.