Chapter 1575: In the Wild

Roxanne waited in the living room, anxious about the children and Lucian's return. When he descended the stairs, she anxiously asked, "Are they asleep?"

Lucian joined her on the couch, noting her weary expression. He pulled her into a comforting embrace. "I'm fine," she murmured, forcing a smile, "Just tired." Instead of her usual panic around the children, she relaxed in his arms.

Lucian kissed her forehead, then stood, taking her hand. "When I returned from the company, the weather was lovely. I wanted to take you for a drive."

Roxanne frowned. She wanted to decline, but Lucian, without giving her a chance to object, led her to the door. They tiptoed out, careful not to wake the children, acting, as Roxanne amusingly noted, like thieves in their own home. Her gloom lifted.

"The children were already asleep," Lucian said, seeming to sense her shift in mood. "I just wanted to take you out tonight."

It was past ten. A nighttime chill made Roxanne shiver. Instantly, a warm coat settled on her shoulders. Lucian's regret was evident. "I should have brought more clothes; it's nighttime," he said, turning away.

Roxanne stopped him. "I'm fine. What about you? Are you cold?"

He kissed the back of her hand. "I'm good." But seeing his thin shirt, she hesitated. Before she could speak, he pulled her forcefully into his embrace.

"That's better," he said, satisfied, guiding her to the car.

As they drove slowly toward the city's edge, Roxanne admired the view. The diminishing traffic and increasing density of trees prompted her question, "Where are we going? It looks like we're heading to a mountain."

Lucian replied simply, "We are."

"Why so late? We could just drive around the neighborhood," she protested, noticing a strange expression on his face. "There are too many people. It's not convenient. I'm afraid people will call the police if they see what we'll be doing."

His vague words sent a blush to her cheeks. Is he planning to do that in the wild? she thought, pulling her coat tighter. "How about we head back? It's so cold," she suggested subtly, hesitant to outright refuse, fearing a misunderstanding.

But Lucian was firm. "It took me a long time to find this spot. Since we're here, let's at least take a look. If you don't like it, we can leave immediately."