Filed to story: Leaving the Country After Divorce Novel (Lucian & Roxanne)
Mr.Farwell only interacts with you for the sake of his child.
Don’t have any ideas about weaseling your way into the Farwell family.”
Roxanne’s head pounded inadvertently at the woman’s words.
knew running into Lucian here was catnip for unsavory comments.
I just didn’t think it would come so soon.
“You must be mistaken about the situation…” Roxanne tried to explain.
Alas, the woman cut her off disgustedly and retorted, “Mistaken? Everyone knows how much time you’re spending with Mr.Farwell these days.
Know your place, Ms. Jarvis! Mr. Farwell’s fiancée is Ms.Pearson, and their relationship is stronger than ever.
I hope you don’t humiliate yourself in this hopeless scheme to win Mr.The mention of Lucian and Aubree’s impending wedding caused Roxanne to lower her gaze. She swallowed the retort on the tip of her tongue and replied to the nasty woman, “Thank you for your advice.
I’ll be more mindful in the future.” The woman took Roxanne’s meekness as a sign of her victory.
She made a mental note to tell Aubree about that night’s incident and used it to butter up the future Mrs.Farwell.
As that thought crossed her mind, the woman stared at Roxanne scornfully and spat, “Good.
You would never be a good match for Mr.Farwell.” Their conversation had lasted so long that Estella began wondering why Roxanne had not come searching for them.
She peeped out from behind a tree and noticed a fierce-looking woman standing in front of Roxanne.
Estella thought the woman was bullying Roxanne and hastily clambered toward them.
“Don’t bully Ms.Jarvis!” Estella yelled after latching onto Roxanne’s legs.
She even shot the nasty woman a glare for good measure.
The young girl’s sudden appearance stunned the woman, who quickly smiled and knelt down.
She tried to stroke Estella’s head and cooed, “Isn’t this Ms.Estella? You’re such an adorable girl.” Estella shied away from strangers because of her autism.
When she saw the unfamiliar woman trying to touch her head, Estella pushed her hand away and stared cautiously at her.
The woman’s expression froze at Estella’s rejection.
The young girl’s closeness to Roxanne vexed her as well.
Still, the woman stubbornly tried to approach Estella.
“Don’t worry, Ms.Estella.
I mean no harm.
I just think that you look adorable.” As she spoke, she stretched her hand toward Estella once more.
Panic filled Estella’s gaze, and she hid behind Roxanne, wrapping her arms around the latter’s leg.
Roxanne scrunched her brows in concern and stopped the woman from coming closer to Estella.
She said, “Essie’s scared of strangers.
If you really like her, it would be much better to keep a distance from her.”
Estella’s repeated rejection and Roxanne’s advice enraged the woman, who stood up and argued, “I’m close to Ms.Pearson, and she’s going to become Essie’s mother soon.
My relationship with Essie has nothing to do with you.” Roxanne’s expression shifted when she heard Aubree’s name again.
This woman’s telling the truth.
I don’t deserve to interfere in Essie’s relationships, but Essie seems truly frightened by this stranger.
She’s shaking so much even as she hugs my leg.
With that in mind, Roxanne said, “Since your daughter and Essie are in the same class, you should know about Essie’s condition.
She doesn’t like it when strangers touch her.
Thank you for your earlier advice, but if there’s nothing else, please take your leave.
Essie’s still a bit shaken.” After that, Roxanne tenderly pulled the frightened girl into her arMs.Upset and scared, Estella glared at the unfamiliar woman behind Roxanne with tears in her eyes.
Naturally, the woman ignored Roxanne’s words.
With a hostile expression on her face, she was about to say something more when footsteps approached them.
Lucian’s cold baritone soon followed.
“What happened to Essie?” When she saw her father, Estella ran toward him and hugged him tightly, wailing, “That lady doesn’t like Ms.Jarvis.”
Lucian frowned slightly.
He had planned on following Roxanne and the children but was unfortunately held up by idle chitchat with some parents along the way.
He never expected to come across Estella crying when he finally arrived.
Lucian quickly deduced that “the lady” his daughter mentioned was the unfamiliar woman standing in front of Roxanne.
The woman who had accosted Roxanne earlier quickly tamped down her rage when she saw Lucian. She sputtered, “Mr. Farwell.”
Lucian nodded coolly at her before approaching Roxanne.
Softly, he asked, “What happened?” Roxanne’s gaze swept over the contrite woman.
She thought of their conversation earlier and decided not to cause more trouble by telling the truth.
Instead, Roxanne shook her head and said, “Nothing.
She came to say hi, but Essie doesn’t like strangers, so she was scared.”
After hearing her words, Lucian stared at the unfamiliar woman suspiciously and commented, “Essie isn’t usually this timid.” His imposing demeanor unsettled the woman, who lowered her head guiltily and replied, “I just thought Ms.Estella looked adorable and wanted to stroke her hair.
I didn’t think I would scare her.
Please accept my deepest apologies.” Lucian stared at the young girl in his arms, who was pouting silently while staring straight at Roxanne.
Things obviously were not as simple as the woman had described.
It was also clear that Roxanne would not tell him the truth.
As he thought of how Roxanne was keeping her distance from him, Lucian’s displeasure grew, and it showed in his darkening gaze.
He declared coldly, “I thought the parents of Essie’s classmates should know about her condition.
Since you seem utterly clueless, I hope you stay away from my daughter for the next two days.
Don’t frighten her again.” The woman bit her lip in resentment.
She wanted to use the next two days to grow closer to Lucian and Estella, building a good relationship with the Farwell family.
Lucian’s hostile words had put a swift end to her plan.
Nonetheless, she dared not voice her objections before a frosty-looking Lucian.
Instead, she promised to heed his words before leaving with her child in tow.
Estella sniffled as the nasty woman departed.
She broke free from her father’s arms and walked toward Roxanne, grabbing the latter’s skirt.
Recalling how Estella had rushed forward to protect her earlier, Roxanne was moved, and she stroked the young girl’s head fondly.
Then, she held Estella’s hand and asked, “I still don’t know where the boys are.
Let’s look for them together, okay?” Estella’s eyes lit up when she realized that they could still play hide-and-seek.
She nodded her head in excitement, which brought a smile to Roxanne’s face.
Roxanne led Estella around the botanical garden to look for her sons.
Archie and Benny had been raised overseas, and thanks to Roxanne’s busy lifestyle, the boys had grown up with a lot of freedom.
Thus, they were more daring compared to most children their age and had run off to a much further place to hide.
However, Roxanne was not worried because she knew they would take care of their safety.
Meanwhile, Lucian trailed Roxanne and Estella.
His gaze softened as he watched the two walking hand-in-hand.
“Archie! Benny!” Estella called out as she walked.
It reminded Roxanne of how Estella had replied to her question earlier, and she could not help but smile at the child’s cuteness.