Chapter 1905: How Fascinating

Roxanne accompanied Lucian to the airport. They were surprised to see James; they almost didn't recognize him. His usually pale and soft face was now sun-kissed, his complexion noticeably darker. His eyes held a dullness as he stared at the couple, a strange change suggesting he'd endured hardship and gained worldly wisdom.

James grinned. "Hi, Lucian and Roxanne. What are you doing here? It's the middle of the night. I'm sorry to have bothered you."

Lucian, calm but observant, replied, "Did something happen to you in Alendor?" His gaze was sharp, noting the forced quality of James' smile. Something clearly troubled him.

James nodded, then deflected. "It's nothing much. I'll tell you about it later. Congratulations, Lucian and Roxanne! The wedding is soon! Getting a plane ticket from Alendor wasn't easy; I even had a layover. Don't blame me for only arriving now."

"It's fine," Roxanne smiled. "You're just in time for the wedding. We're happy to see you home." She offered to help with his luggage, but he waved her off.

"Let's get in the car," Lucian said curtly. The three of them left the airport.

In the car, James confessed his reluctance to return home, fearing his family's nagging. He planned a temporary stay at Lucian's, to which Roxanne readily agreed; his presence wouldn't disrupt their routine, and the guest room on the third floor was vacant. "But first," he added, "I want to see Essie. I want to see how she's doing."

He'd tried numerous psychological treatments to cure Estella, all unsuccessfully. Her condition had dramatically improved after Roxanne's identity as her mother was revealed, a development James was eager to study. He wanted to understand how parent-child relationships could influence the course and cure of psychological illnesses.

"You'll be surprised by how much she's changed," Lucian replied, smiling.

James nodded. "That's good. Also, I can't wait to meet those two geniuses. If possible, I'd like to make them my research subjects."

Roxanne chuckled. "Hmph! What are you trying to do, making all three of our children your lab rats?"

They arrived home, the trio chatting amicably. James, exhausted from his journey, was urged to rest.

Later, in their room, Lucian frowned. "Something happened to James."

Roxanne agreed, noting his unusual behavior. She suggested Lucian find a time to talk with him, fearing James might repeat Jonathan's pattern of silently bearing pressure until a mental breakdown.

The next morning, the three children exercised in the garden, following a routine established by Lucian and Roxanne. They believed a healthy body fostered happiness.

James awoke to their laughter, rose, poured himself water, and went to the balcony. People-watching was a hobby of his. He observed Estella playing joyfully with her brothers, her laughter infectious.

A smile touched his lips. "It looks like she's completely cured. How fascinating. It's far harder to cure a psychological illness than a physiological one. The chances of success are extremely low."

He finished his water, then went down to greet the children.