Chapter 249: Leaving the Country After Divorce

After dinner, Roxanne and Colby parted ways, returning to their respective homes. When Roxanne arrived, Lysa had already brought the children home. Archie and Benny were playing with Legos on the carpet. They immediately surrounded Roxanne upon seeing her.

Roxanne patted their heads and asked, "Have you two eaten dinner?"

They nodded obediently.

"Mommy, Ms. Ward said she's taking us to plant trees this weekend," Archie announced. Roxanne was slightly taken aback.

She smiled at her children. "Yes, I know." Affecting nonchalance, she entered the living room, Archie and Benny trailing behind her. She crouched down, fiddling with the Lego pieces as a conflicted expression crossed her face.

She replayed the day's events in her mind, arriving at the same conclusion: she might run into Lucian or Aubree at the tree-planting activity. It seemed like a cruel coincidence. She had been desperately trying to avoid them, yet the kindergarten scheduled this activity.

"Mommy, will you go with us?" The children looked at her expectantly. It was their first group activity, and they were excited.

Seeing their hopeful faces, Roxanne hesitated, unable to refuse them outright. "I'll ask Aunt Madilyn to go with you. Is that alright?" she offered, as it was the only solution she could think of.

Archie and Benny looked disappointed. "Don't you want to go with us, Mommy?"

Roxanne's heart softened. "No, it's not that. I have to work overtime this weekend. I won't have time to go."

Archie and Benny stared at her for a moment. Roxanne wasn't sure if they knew she was lying. Meeting their gaze, she felt guilty. This was their first parent-child activity since starting school, and they clearly wanted her there. She couldn't tell them she was avoiding Lucian and Aubree; that was a matter between adults.

After a few moments, Archie and Benny nodded, their disappointment evident. Roxanne breathed a sigh of relief and called Madilyn.

Madilyn answered after a long wait, sounding exhausted. "Roxanne, what's wrong?"

Roxanne frowned, concerned. "Are you still busy?"

Madilyn sighed wearily. "I don't want to talk about it. We just admitted a very ill patient who needs constant monitoring. I doubt I'll have any free time this weekend."

Roxanne swallowed her request for help. "Then I won't bother you. Prioritize the patient. Everything's fine here. The kids just miss you."

Madilyn smiled. "Tell them I'll visit and play with them another day."

They hung up. Roxanne looked at Archie and Benny. "Aunt Madilyn is busy. I'll go with you this weekend." She couldn't keep them from the activity just because Lucian and Aubree might be there.

Archie and Benny exchanged joyous glances, hugging Roxanne. "You're the best, Mommy!"

Roxanne smiled, but a heavy feeling settled in her heart at the thought of the inevitable encounter.