Chapter 1405
Darkness fell swiftly. After a busy day driving and moving, and presenting Roxanne with a gift, Lucian naturally stayed for dinner. Following a satisfying meal, he played with the children before departing.
“It’s getting late, I should go home now. Essie—”
Before he could finish, Essie protested, “I want to stay with Mommy!”
Lucian glanced at her, then continued, “I’ll leave Essie with you for the next two days. Let me know if you need anything, and I’ll pick them up.”
Archie and Benny’s eyes widened at Lucian’s words. Their intelligence allowed them to grasp the implication—he considered them his children. Although they couldn't yet call him "Daddy," he already viewed them as his own. Both boys were overjoyed at this realization. Estella, too, was delighted at the prospect of staying with her mother.
Stroking Estella’s face gently, Roxanne smiled. “She’ll be in good hands.”
Lucian smiled back. “I know.” Even without special attention, Estella would be content simply being near her mother.
Lucian then drove back to the manor. Upon entering, he found Sonya sitting glumly on the couch.
“What are you doing here?”
With a similarly serious expression, Lucian sat in the armchair beside his mother. Sonya’s brow furrowed. “Why can’t I drop by? What’s wrong with wanting to visit my granddaughter?”
Lucian gave her a sidelong glance, his expression remaining cool. “Essie’s not here. She’s with her mother.” His tone implied a married couple temporarily separated by distance.
Sonya’s frown deepened. “I painstakingly raised Essie, while that woman abandoned her after giving birth. She should be thanking me for allowing Essie to acknowledge her. Don’t you think it’s unfair to me that Essie’s staying with her, letting her enjoy the fruits of my labor?” Sonya believed Roxanne had played no part in raising Estella into a healthy, well-behaved girl. That woman wasn't there when Essie needed her most, so why act so noble now?
Lucian frowned. “Roxanne is Essie’s birth mother. Besides, what happened back then was a misunderstanding. I’m sure you heard about it. Roxanne thought Essie was dead.”
Sonya snorted. “Nobody knows if she’s telling the truth. Back then, she left without a word. I wouldn’t be surprised if she did something terrible now.”
A hint of disbelief crossed Lucian’s face. Sonya, realizing she’d upset him, softened her approach.
“I raised Essie, so of course I miss my granddaughter. What am I supposed to do when I miss her?”
Lucian replied, annoyed, “After all these years, what’s the big deal about not seeing her for a few days? Now that her condition has improved, she needs Roxanne. And not seeing her will help her emotions stabilize.”