Chapter 1121

Aubree followed Estella into the room, hesitantly muttering, "Lucian..." She felt guilty seeing the young girl's anger toward Lucian, but relieved Estella hadn't spoken to her father.

Lucian nodded to Aubree. "Sorry for troubling you to look after Essie," he said.

Delighted, Aubree sputtered, "Not at all! I'm happy to. Essie's a lovely girl." She decided to ignore their earlier car ride disagreement if Estella remained silent.

"Dinner's ready. Why don't you eat with us?" Lucian offered.

"Sure!" Aubree replied, overjoyed.

They entered the dining room, where Catalina had already set the table for three. "I'll go get Essie," Aubree said, though she lacked confidence in coaxing the upset girl downstairs. The thought of Estella throwing a tantrum in front of Lucian filled her with distress.

Lucian interrupted, "It's fine. She might be angry at me. She still doesn't like her new kindergarten. Let her calm down on her own." He picked up his cutlery and began eating.

Aubree paused, the tension easing slightly. Maintaining her loving stepmother act, she said, "Essie's still so young. She shouldn't be starving herself. If she doesn't want to come downstairs, Catalina, could you put together a plate and bring it upstairs?"

Catalina, pleasantly surprised by Aubree's thoughtfulness, quickly prepared a plate and took it upstairs, leaving Lucian and Aubree alone.

A stifling silence fell. Aubree ate quietly, daring not speak. After an indeterminate time, Lucian's voice broke the silence. "How are Mr. and Mrs. Pearson?"

Aubree's heart leaped. In the past, she'd initiated conversations with Lucian; now he was asking about her parents. Hope blossomed, though she suppressed her excitement, feigning composure.

"They've been well. It's just that my dad…" she trailed off, smiling wryly. "You probably know he had a huge argument with me after our engagement issue. He even kicked me out, and he still hasn't let go. I've told him you won't break off the engagement, but he won't believe me."

Aubree watched Lucian's expression, noticing his slightly furrowed brow, and tensed awaiting his response.

Lucian understood her indirect inquiry about their marriage and her veiled request for him to reconcile with her parents. Despite his decision to continue the engagement, he felt irritated by her approach. After suppressing his annoyance, he replied quietly, "If you're free, help me arrange a meal with your parents. I haven't met them in a while."

Aubree's hopes were answered. "Of course! I'll tell them tonight!" she agreed happily.

Estella remained absent, even after dinner. Aubree wouldn't let the girl derail her plans, not after securing Lucian's promise regarding their engagement.

Afterward, she offered, "I'll head upstairs and check on Essie." Lucian nodded indifferently.

Aubree climbed the stairs, her heart pounding. Catalina remained with Estella, watching her eat. Seeing Aubree, Catalina greeted her amiably, "Ms. Pearson."

Aubree nodded. "You can head downstairs. I'd like to talk to Essie."

Catalina, though hesitant, left. Alone with Estella, who slammed her fork on the table, jumped onto the bed, and buried herself in blankets, playing with a doll, Aubree's expression fell.

She approached the girl, pleading, "Essie, I didn't mean to say those things. Won't you stop being mad at me?"

Aubree, who would have previously lectured Estella, now had to appease her. Estella remained silent.

Aubree gritted her teeth. "Can you promise not to tell your father what I said in the car? Please? I promise I'll never say those things again."

Estella harrumphed. She hadn't planned to tell her father anyway; she knew something was wrong with her, but telling him wouldn't change anything.

Aubree took Estella's silence as agreement, sighing in relief. "Well then, you should get some rest. I'll be here tomorrow to bring you to school."