Chapter 1216

When Estella opened her eyes and saw Archie and Benny, a blush crept onto her face. Archie held her hand in consolation, asking, "Did you dream about Mommy? What did you dream about?"

The girl lowered her gaze. "I... dreamed about Ms. Jarvis."

Confusion crossed the boys' faces. "But you were calling out for your mommy."

Estella looked at them silently. She didn't know why, but since meeting Roxanne, the mother in her dreams had begun to resemble Roxanne. Furthermore, her dreams about her mother had become sweet. The only exception was when Roxanne was ill. This time, she had dreamed again of the unconscious Roxanne, her eyes stubbornly closed, terrifying Estella.

Archie and Benny, though receiving no direct answer, understood her expression. "Essie, you see our mommy as your mommy, too, right?" Benny asked.

Estella nodded hesitantly, then asked carefully, "Archie, Benny, you won't be mad, right?"

The boys exchanged bewildered glances. "Why would we be mad?"

"Because... I'll be stealing your mommy from you," Estella muttered, the last few words choked with impending tears.

Archie and Benny were flabbergasted. They hadn't realized she felt this way. Squeezing Estella's hand, Archie said, "We're not mad at all. If we were mad, wouldn't you be mad too, for trying to steal your daddy from you?"

Estella pursed her lips and shook her head anxiously. She desperately wanted to be a family with them; how could she be angry?

Archie wiped away her tears with a tissue. "If you're not mad, then we're not mad either!"

Benny added, "How about this? We'll call them Daddy and Mommy when we're alone. No more Mr. Farwell or Ms. Jarvis. They're our Daddy and Mommy."

Archie and Estella immediately agreed. Despite the tears, Estella smiled broadly. The sight amused the boys, eliciting hearty laughter.

Lucian remained unaware of the events in the next ward—of the children's secret pact to become a family.

"Thirsty..."

Roxanne, unconscious for a day, stirred despite the sedatives. The children's earlier conversation had roused her. Lucian, weary from the day and about to doze, sprang awake at her voice, quickly filling a glass of water.

Just as Roxanne began to sit up, Lucian brought the glass to her lips, gently cradling her. Groggy, she instinctively felt safe in his arms, drinking with his help before pushing the glass away. He placed it aside and helped her lie back down.

Soon, she slept again. Hesitantly, Lucian reached for her hand, then closed his eyes to nap.