Chapter 1329

Even though Roxanne and Estella had spent much time together recently, their feelings were profoundly different after the truth was revealed. Roxanne longed to share so much with her long-lost daughter, and Estella, in turn, yearned to connect with her mother. The two lay in bed, chatting endlessly, their conversation flowing effortlessly.

“I drew lots of pictures of me and my mommy, but none of those mommies were as pretty as you,” Estella said, her eyes sparkling with glee. Her sweet smile melted Roxanne’s heart. “Now that I’ve found you, can you draw pictures with me, Mommy?”

Roxanne’s heart swelled. “Of course, sweetheart. Let’s do everything together!”

Estella’s eyes shone with delight. “Archie and Benny too! I want to do everything with them!”

Roxanne laughed. “Archie and Benny will be right there with you.”

Estella then whispered in Roxanne’s ear, “Mommy, can you tell me who Archie and Benny’s daddy is?”

Roxanne’s smile faltered. Archie and Benny’s father… How could she explain that she and the boys shared the same parents? Would telling Estella the truth lead to questions about why she’d refused Lucian, even though they were, in fact, a family? Though she knew Estella wouldn't grasp the full implications, Roxanne still worried.

“Archie and Benny’s daddy… you’ll know who he is in the future,” Roxanne said gently, stroking Estella’s head. Her voice held a hint of guilt.

Disappointment flickered across Estella’s face, but a new thought brightened her spirits. “But no matter who their father is, we’ll only share one daddy in the future!” she declared. “Then can they please come over so we can all sleep together?” she pleaded, her voice adorable.

Roxanne hesitated, but Estella burrowed deeper into her embrace. “I feel bad for them. I have a daddy and a mommy, but they only have a mommy.”

Roxanne’s guilt intensified. With a sigh, she relented. “All right, sweetie. Get your brothers.”

Roxanne watched Estella fetch Archie and Benny. The boys, sitting on Archie’s bed with frustrated expressions, quickly masked their troubled faces before Roxanne entered.

“You haven’t slept yet? Good. Come to our room, and let’s sleep together.” Roxanne noticed their unusual posture but didn't comment. “But you need to put on your pajamas first.”

Elation washed over the boys. They donned adorable cow onesies and excitedly scampered to Roxanne’s room. The children were more energized than ever, and Roxanne, already exhausted, regretted her decision almost immediately. But her word was given. She would stay up with them.

Finally, at midnight, the children fell asleep.