Chapter 1248

Meanwhile, at Roxanne's mansion, the three children sat on the couch, their faces gloomy as they stared toward Roxanne's second-floor room.

"Mommy must be very angry," Benny declared furiously. "It's all those women's fault! I won't forgive them if they come looking for trouble again."

Archie, cheeks puffed, agreed. "Hear, hear! We must protect Mommy."

Estella, however, seemed more worried than the boys. "Mommy has just recovered, and they've come to bully her," she said, worry etched on her face. "The doctor said Mommy can't get too emotionally agitated…"

Archie and Benny didn't find it unusual that Estella called Roxanne "Mommy"; it felt natural to them. Nevertheless, hearing Estella's words, they, too, grew worried. Roxanne had locked herself in her room after confronting Aubree and Frieda, and Estella's concerns made them fear for Roxanne's well-being.

Benny hopped off the couch. "I'm going upstairs to have a look!"

Archie and Estella followed. The three children scampered up the stairs and stood before Roxanne's door, knocking and calling out with all their might. There was no response.

Estella panicked, banging on the door, suppressing a cry of "Mommy" as she pleaded, "Ms. Jarvis!" Her voice broke despite her efforts to remain composed.

Inside, Roxanne was overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. She lacked the energy to deal with the children. She had already told them she needed time alone before going upstairs; she simply had no strength to respond to their cries.

Only when she heard Estella's sobs did Roxanne pull herself together. "Are you kids hungry? I'll order some food," she called out. "Sorry, I really don't have the energy to cook today."

The children sighed in relief at the sound of her voice. Archie, eyes reddened, glanced at his siblings before turning. "It's all right. We can wait for you, Mommy. We're just glad you're all right." He took Benny and Estella's hands. "We'll head downstairs to wait. We can eat together when you're feeling better."

Roxanne nodded silently, unconcerned whether the children saw her. Silence returned to the hallway. Leaning against her headboard, Roxanne’s emotions remained a tangled mess.

She couldn't deny Aubree's words had affected her. "Homewrecker"... The word stung; it was never something Roxanne imagined being called. Even after countering Aubree's accusations, the insult lingered. Was she truly a homewrecker who ruined someone else's marriage? Lucian had six years to marry Aubree. Why wait until now?

Roxanne questioned herself, desperately trying to convince herself otherwise. Before she reached a conclusion, the doorbell rang downstairs.

Roxanne snapped to attention, rushing to the window. Lucian stood at the mansion's entrance, clad in a gray shirt, his expression serious as he continued ringing the doorbell.