Chapter 1322

Estella's wails broke Roxanne from her trance, revealing a face streaked with tears. "Oh Essie, I've missed you so much," she sobbed, pulling the little girl into a tight embrace. She wished they would never be separated again. Not a day had passed in the last six years without her missing the child she believed lost. Indeed, the thought of that child had motivated her to recover from her coma. Little did she know the child she so deeply mourned was by her side all along.

Reflecting on Estella's experiences, Roxanne felt immense guilt. "I've missed so many years of her life," she cried. "Yet, since we met, she's helped me heal." "I'm so sorry... It's all my fault..." she apologized profusely.

Tears welled in Archie and Benny's eyes. They had always known of a sister, believing her gone. They had loved and cared for Roxanne, unknowingly also cherishing their little sister. Discovering Estella was their biological sister, they were overjoyed. "Hooray! Our sister is alive, and she's always been by our side!" Benny exclaimed, wiping his tears and nodding to his equally joyous brother.

Lucian's heart ached as he watched Roxanne and the boys weep. "You didn't do anything wrong, Roxanne. It was entirely my fault. I should have told you the truth immediately, but I hesitated. If you need to blame someone, blame me." He had never known she believed Essie dead. He tightened his grip on his ring, imagining her devastation at being told her baby was stillborn. He even resented her for her perceived cruelty toward Estella upon their reunion.

Sonya, too, was stunned. She had always considered Roxanne a heartless woman who abandoned her husband and child. "That woman thought Essie was dead? Then how did Essie return to the Farwell residence?" she wondered.

Roxanne, still clutching Estella, wept for what seemed an eternity before regaining composure. Turning to Lucian, still kneeling, she demanded, "What took you so long to tell me? Do you have any idea how much I've missed her? I always thought... my daughter was dead!"

Guilt overwhelmed Lucian as Roxanne's questions echoed his own self-reproach. Why did I hesitate? Why did I have so many reservations? He longed for answers, for a different ending. He had missed the ideal time to reveal the truth. Would she have cried less if she'd known earlier? Unfortunately, it was too late for such thoughts.

"This is wonderful, Mommy! Essie is our little sister!" Benny cried, hugging Roxanne's thigh after his tears subsided. Archie nodded happily, while mother and daughter continued to weep. Lucian rose and embraced them both.