Filed to story: Leaving the Country After Divorce Novel (Lucian & Roxanne)
Archie and Benny exchanged gazes when they saw Estella in such a state. They found her cute yet pitiful at the same time.
“We weren’t feeling well this morning. We’re much better now. Don’t worry,” Archie reassured earnestly.
Benny turned to Essie and made a face. “Look at you, all scared like that. We’re just taking a day off. Can’t you be away from us for just a day? You little minion.”
A sense of relief washed over Estella when she heard their words, and she broke into a smile.
Lucian, who was standing at the entrance of the dining room, looked conflicted when he saw Estella finally smiling,
It took me so long to coax hcr, yet it was nothing compared to the trio’s words. Not only did she stop crying. she even smiled.
After standing there for some time and watching the boys making Estella grin from ear to car, he stepped into the room, wanting to take her home.
They had only come over because Estella wanted to confirm things with her own eyes. Now that it was done, it was time for them to go home.
As soon as he reached Estella’s side, he heard her stomach growl.
Roxanne frowned. “Have you not had dinner?”
Estella pursed her lips and nodded.
Seeing that, Roxanne turned to look at Lucien with a reprimanding gaze.
Lucian glanced at her emotionlessly. “I’ve tried talking to her. She’s been crying all night. She locked herself in the room as soon as she got back without eating or drinking anything. It was only when I promised to bring her here that she finally stopped. We didn’t manage to have dinner yet.”
Roxanne scanned his thin shirt and withdrew her gaze.
At the side, Archie looked at Estella concernedly. “We’ve just started eating. Do you want to join us?”
Estella’s eyes lit up, and she nodded fervently. It was at that moment that she finally remembered to ask her father for permission
Lucian hesitated for a few seconds and glanced at Roxanne. “If it’s not too much of a trouble, could you prepare something for her?”
“Do you want to sit between the boys?” Roxanne suggested.
Estella beamed instantly.
Archie and Benny quickly moved their chairs, making some space so Estella could sit between them.
Lucian frowned as he watched Estella sit between the twins.
From his point of view, they looked like a family, while he looked more like a stranger.
After helping Estella to settle down and serving her some food, Roxanne looked at the three children sitting side by side and was all smiles.
However, the gaze of the man beside her sent chills down her spine.
She stopped smiling and turned around to look at Lucian.
As he met her gaze, Lucian composed himself and put on a calm expression.
“What about you?” Roxanne asked casually, repressing her feelings.
Upon hearing that, Lucian put on a look of confusion.
Roxanne averted her gaze and glanced at the dishes on the table. “Have you eaten?”
If Essie made a fuss without having dinner, then he must’ve been busy coaxing her the entire night.
Stunned, Lucian stared at her for some time before narrowing his eyes indifferently. Sounding distant, he answered, “I’m fine. There’s dinner at home. I’ll just heat it up when I get back. It’s just that Essie likes spending time with them. Sorry for troubling you. I’ll just wait in the living room and not disturb you guys.”
With that, he cast the three joyful children a final glance before walking out.
When Roxanne heard his words and noticed he was about to leave on an empty stomach, she
could not help but purse her lips. “There’s enough food for all of us. Besides, Essie will definitely
- feel uneasy if her daddy’s not here.”
Estella lifted her head, her eyes filled with nervousness when she saw Lucian walking out.
Without waiting for Lucian’s reply, Roxanne served him a plate of food and placed it on the table. “Come and join us if you don’t mind.”
Archie frowned slightly at the scene, but he said nothing.
Benny, on the other hand, continued eating while secretly glancing at the man in the distance, feeling excited.
In the past, it had always been the three of them-Roxanne, Archie, Benny-having meals together, occasionally with Madilyn joining in.
However, it was a first for them to have their meal with Lucian.
At that moment, various emotions rose in Archie’s and Benny’s hearts.
Lucian stopped in his tracks and turned around to meet Estella’s glistening eyes. He then shifted his gaze to the seat beside them, which had utensils placed on the table near it. His eyes immediately glinted with emotion.
As the matter of fact, the four of them were indeed a family.
It would seem odd if he were to sit there.
Though that thought passed through his mind, he had already taken his seat by the table before even realizing it.
For some reason, the atmosphere that was originally jolly had become tense. He could not help but wonder if he was the reason for the change.
Archie and Benny fell silent and lowered their heads to eat their food.
Since the boys were not talking to her anymore, Estella lost her appetite. She held her utensils and took tiny bites out of her food.
“Essie, is there something you dislike?” Roxanne asked gently, noticing the change in her behavior.
Hearing that, Estella hurriedly shook her head.
She liked everything Roxanne made.
She just wasn’t in the mood to eat.
Benny knew Estella could not talk. Thus, he put down his utensils and answered on her behalf, “Essie is just like us. She doesn’t like carrots and peppers. She always picks these out in the kindergarten.”
Roxanne smiled kindly. “I’ll help you pick them out, okay?”
A smile reappeared on Estella’s face, and she nodded obediently.
Seeing her response, Roxanne walked over to Estella, picked out the carrots and peppers from the latter’s plate, and placed them on her own. She then watched Estella picking up her spoon again.
Just as Estella was about to continue eating, something tugged the back of her hand, which made her tear up in pain. She stopped moving her arm. lifted her head, and looked at Roxanne pilluny for help.
Noticing the expression on Estella’s face, Roxanne put down her utensils right away. “What’s wrong?”
Estella bit her lip, trying her best to stop herself from crying as she turned over her hand to let Roxanne examine it.
Everyone was stunned as soon as they saw the back of her hand.
Estella had extremely fair skin. As the light shone on the back of her hand, a horrifying red mark could be seen visibly.
Roxanne frowned and asked worriedly, “What happened?”
Estella bit her lip without saying anything.
Roxanne had no choice but to glance at Lucian, who was sitting beside her.
Lucian felt a pang of guilt when he met her questioning gaze. Despite that, he looked as calm as ever. “Did you hurt yourself when you were throwing things just now?”
The worry in Roxanne’s eyes intensified. “Throwing things?”
Lucian said, “Essie doesn’t know how to vent her emotions. Sometimes, when she gets really angry, she’ll throw things to vent it out.”
He could not bring himself to utter the word “autism.”
On top of that, he did not know what her reaction would be once she found out about it.
Surprise flashed through Roxanne’s eyes as she turned to look at Estella to confirm the fact. “Did you hurt yourself?”