Chapter 1351

It was her first photograph with all three children. More importantly, it was taken after she learned Estella was the baby she’d believed had died prematurely.

“Thank you,” she said gratefully.

Lucian, noticing her trembling hands, pulled her into his arms. “If you want to thank me, reconsider my proposal. I lied to you. I can’t wait much longer. Six years is long enough. I don’t want to keep waiting.”

Roxanne lowered her head, her eyes brimming with guilt. Lucian, sensing her hesitation, released her with a sigh and offered a kind smile. “It’s all right. I can wait a little longer. Besides, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to keep me waiting too long.”

Roxanne looked away, speechless. The children, tired from their play, ran over.

“Mommy, what were you looking at?” Benny, sensing tension, quickly changed the subject. Clutching Roxanne’s arm, he asked to see her phone.

Relieved, she crouched beside him, showing him the photographs. Initially intending only to help his father, Benny was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the pictures. He was momentarily mesmerized.

“Wow, Mommy! You and Essie look so much alike when you smile!” he exclaimed, pointing to a photo of his mother and sister. “We never noticed!”

Roxanne felt emotional, having just seen the same photograph. Estella leaned in curiously, studying the picture. A moment later, she declared, “Mommy is pretty!”

Benny’s cheeks puffed with pride. “Of course! Mr. Farwell took it! He never takes a bad picture of Mommy!” He then pretended to comfort his sister. “You are still young. When you grow up, you’ll be as pretty as Mommy!”

Estella, at the thought of her future beauty, smiled so broadly her eyes turned to slits. Roxanne caressed their heads. “The children must be hungry. Let’s go eat.”

She then sought their opinion, and the starving children eagerly nodded. Lucian announced, “I’ve booked a restaurant. Let’s go.”

The family got into the car; the three children squeezed into the back while Roxanne sat beside Lucian.

“What is this?”

The children noticed the box containing Roxanne’s undergarments and looked curiously at the adults. Roxanne, jolted by the realization, remembered she’d forgotten to put it away. At a loss for words, she felt nervous.

“It’s a box of clothes. Toss it in the trunk for me, will you?” Lucian’s nonchalant voice cut through the tension.

The children complied, tossing the box into the trunk. Roxanne breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at Lucian, intending to thank him. Instead, she met his mischievous gaze. She froze, flushing crimson at their eye contact.

“Thank you,” she mumbled, turning away to calm her racing heart.