Chapter 1525

Lucian had never mentioned the wedding plans to Roxanne. She was dumbfounded, glancing at him beside her, unsure how to react. He suddenly grasped her hand tightly. Roxanne froze, then lowered her head and squeezed his hand in return. Sonya, already upset by her son's words, felt a wave of dizziness wash over her at the sight of their intertwined hands.

“Essie, come here,” she said, turning her attention to Estella when she couldn’t persuade Lucian. “I’ll take you upstairs to sleep.”

Estella shook her head, clinging to Roxanne’s shirt. “I want to be with Mommy.”

Sonya took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger. “Don’t you want Grandma and Grandpa anymore?”

Estella’s lip trembled. After carefully observing Lucian and Roxanne, she whispered, “Can’t I have it all? Mommy, Daddy, Grandpa, and Grandma?”

Everyone’s hearts lurched at Estella’s childish words. Sonya’s outstretched hand froze mid-air before she withdrew it, silently knitting her brows.

Lucian stared intently at his mother. “Mom, you shouldn’t speak to Essie like that, knowing her condition. She’ll always be your granddaughter, and we won’t prevent her from seeing you. Why force her?”

Knowing she was wrong, Sonya cast a worried glance at Estella before huffing. “Since you won’t listen, you can tell your father yourself.” She turned away and hurried upstairs.

Catalina emerged after Sonya. Smiling at Roxanne, she said, “Ms. Jarvis, welcome back.” Turning to Lucian, she added, “Mr. Farwell, Mrs. Farwell said they’ll be staying for a while.”

Lucian nodded indifferently. “I understand. Prepare a guest room for Roxanne.”

Catalina looked troubled. “We recently had the house thoroughly cleaned, and all the guest room mattresses are at the dry cleaners. Mr. and Mrs. Farwell are using the only spare mattress. Should I go buy one now?”

Roxanne, realizing there were no available rooms, said, “It’s late. I’ll sleep with the children tonight.”

“Mommy, there’s no room in Essie’s room!” the three children chorused. Archie and Benny had been sleeping in Estella’s room since moving into the manor, staying up late playing.

Roxanne was at a loss. “Perhaps I should go home and return another day…”

Lucian’s deep voice cut through the air. “It’s late. How will you get home?”

Roxanne was about to say she’d manage alone when Lucian continued, “I’m not comfortable with you going home alone. Instead of making things difficult, why don’t you stay in my room tonight?”

Roxanne had feared he would say that. She’d moved in to spend more time with Sonya and change her opinion, but hadn’t anticipated Sonya’s strong reaction. If Sonya discovered Roxanne was sleeping in Lucian’s room, she’d be furious. And given his recent behavior, Roxanne feared what might happen if they spent the night together.