Filed to story: Leaving the Country After Divorce Novel (Lucian & Roxanne)
In the end, Lucian had no answers to Benny’s questions. In fact, he was intrigued about the actual genesis of the questions.
Subsequently, the tension at the table intensified with no one saying another word until dinner was over.
When Estella, who didn’t speak anyway, saw the somber mood the brothers were in, she felt equally glum.
As the only adult at the table, Lucian tried to liven up the atmosphere with new topics but failed when the brothers just refused to talk.
Once dinner was over, he sent the children back to Roxanne’s house.
As Roxanne wasn’t back yet, Catalina, who was feeling worried, was relieved to see Lucian and the children.
Instead of leaving right away, Lucian stayed to make small talk with Catalina while watching the children play in the living room.
It wasn’t until around eight o’clock that Roxanne finally returned from work.
However, the children only threw her a glance and didn’t rush to welcome her like they usually did.
From their response, Roxanne could sense that something was amiss with their mood.
Since Lucian was still around, she went over and asked, “What has gotten into them? Were they bullied in school?”
Furrowing his brows slightly, Lucian gave her an apologetic look. “They became like that after I inquired about their father during dinner. I’m sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.”
Roxanne was startled by his words. After she regained her composure, her expression was a bit dark. “What did you ask them such a question for?”
Unable to figure out the reason for it, Lucian was momentarily speechless.
Roxanne suppressed the panic within her and gave him a stern warning. “Both of them grew up without a father and don’t like others bringing it up. Therefore, Mr. Farwell, please do not ask them such questions ever again.”
Lucian assumed that Roxanne was angry because the children were upset. Thus, he promised in an apologetic tone, “I didn’t know that before. Now that I do, you can rest assured that I won’t mention this in front of them again.”
After glancing at the children, who were playing Lego, Roxanne suddenly felt what a close shave it was for Lucian to talk to the boys about their father. With nothing else to say to him, she hinted for him to leave. “It’s getting late, Mr. Farwell. Why don’t you head home first? Thank you for taking the trouble to pick the kids up on my behalf today.”
After a brief hesitation, Lucian nodded before leaving.
On the journey home, he felt extremely unsettled but couldn’t put a finger on what it was.
When he arrived, he removed his tie in frustration and sat on the couch for a while. Even then, he continued to feel disturbed.
Subsequently, he brought out a bottle of wine from the cabinet, sitting by the window to drink alone.
After two glasses, images of what happened at dinner gradually emerged in his mind.
The children were giving him angry yet pitiful looks while demanding to know why he didn’t like them.
With their faces and tone in his mind, Lucian couldn’t help but feel a piercing pain in his heart.
After Lucian was gone, Roxanne played with the children for a while before sending them to bed.
Having tucked Estella in, Roxanne pondered a moment before knocking on the boys’ door.
Meanwhile, both of them were unable to sleep as they were still disturbed by the event earlier.
“Mommy, what is it?” Archie asked curiously when he opened the door and saw her.
Roxanne tousled his hair. “I just want to have a talk with both of you. Let’s go inside.”
Archie nodded before climbing back up to bed. He looked exceptionally adorable in his cow-print pajamas while his loose fringes billowed in front of his eyes.
As her heart softened, Roxanne closed the door and settled down by the bedside. She asked softly, “Did Mr. Farwell ask you about your daddy during dinner?”
The boys nodded in unison.
Archie added in his squeaky voice, “We told him that we don’t have a daddy and also the fact that we dislike our daddy.”
Roxanne felt her heart clam up in response. She could sense a faint sadness in the boy’s tone.
After all, she had kept their family origins from them and told them that they didn’t have a father.
However, if I were to tell them the man they had dinner with was their daddy, how would they react?
“Boys… Do you feel that you’re different from other children? Have you ever thought of wanting a daddy?” Roxanne asked after a momentary pause.
The boys shook their heads. “No.”
Roxanne’s brows knitted slightly. “But…” They’re clearly saddened by the events of the evening.
With each of them holding one of her arms, they put on a serious expression. “Even though we don’t have a daddy, we still have you, and you are the best mommy in the whole wide world! No one can compare to you, so we’re the envy of all our friends!”
As if to prove a point, Benny gave Roxanne an earnest look. “Although Essie has a daddy, she still prefers you because you’re the best. Therefore, we don’t need a daddy at all!”
Roxanne was both touched and heartbroken at the same time. Hugging the children in a tight embrace, she didn’t say a word for a long time.
Feeling bad for making the boys sad, Lucian didn’t show up for the next few days. Instead, he would occasionally send a message to check in on Estella.
As for Roxanne, she heightened her vigilance after what happened and was secretly relieved that he didn’t drop by.
When she saw that his messages were not related to the boys, she replied to all of them accordingly.
From the frequent messages that he sent, Roxanne could see how much he cared for Estella.
Since he cares so much about her, why hasn’t he made an appearance? Is he not worried about leaving her with me just like that? I really have no idea what’s going through that mind of his.
Luckily, Estella was adorable. Not only did she have exquisite features, she was also exceptionally obedient.
Every time she cozied up to Roxanne, Roxanne would be reminded of the daughter she had lost. If she managed to grow up safely, she would be Essie’s age.
With that thought in mind, Roxanne treated Estella as if she was family. Deep down, she felt that being nice to the latter was her way of making it up to her lost daughter.
After spending a lot of time together, Archie and Benny began to see Estella as their own sister. Whether they were at home or in kindergarten, they would constantly protect her.
Meanwhile, Estella smiled all the time during her stay with Roxanne.
When Roxanne saw how happy Estella was, she could feel her heartstrings being tugged.
At the rate they were progressing, Estella’s condition quickly stabilized. In other words, she would be able to go home soon.
Holding that thought, Roxanne began to feel reluctant to part with Estella.
I don’t like the fact Roxanne is making the kids hate their innocent father for her own mistake
That sucks!
Facts!!! Like she ran away and never gave him the chance to be a father then she proceeds to tell her children he abandoned them. WTF is up with that?