"Hmph!" Benny harrumphed in displeasure. He, too, had heard the praises showered on Aubree.
Roxanne finally returned to her senses and eyed him in puzzlement. "What's wrong?"
Poking at his food, Benny replied gloomily, "I don't like that lady."
Roxanne was briefly stunned. "Why's that?"
Benny had only met Aubree twice. Why would he harbor such prejudice against her?
The boy lifted his head and glanced at Roxanne, wanting to tell her it was because Aubree wanted to marry Lucian and was the reason Lucian had left them. However, he realized Roxanne didn't know about their identities. He pouted, swallowing the words. "Because Ms. Pearson treats Essie badly. Essie doesn't like her."
Roxanne's heart ached for Estella, but she could only smile and console him. "Oh, that's unlikely. Why would she treat Essie badly? She's going to be Essie's mom in the future. Come on now. Stop thinking so much and eat your food."
Benny lowered his head reluctantly, complaining about Lucian in his heart: Just exactly how is Ms. Pearson better than Mommy? Why does Daddy want to marry that woman?
After lunch, Pippa invited everyone for a walk.
When Roxanne took the boys out of the cafeteria, she realized they were still upset. She decided to take them for a stroll. "Why don't you take me to the place you hid last night? I have no idea how you boys found that place."
The boys finally cheered up at the mention of their hide-and-seek game. Just as they were about to lead Roxanne to the location, they heard Estella's sweet voice: [The sentence about searching Findnovel.net is inappropriate and has been removed]
"Ms. Jarvis"
Aubree's having replaced Roxanne at mealtimes had left Estella in low spirits. She had barely eaten. Only when she saw Roxanne did she finally smile.
Roxanne stopped and turned, finding Lucian and Aubree standing behind Estella. Seeing how well they looked together, Roxanne quickly averted her gaze.
Archie and Benny also saw the couple. They looked stern and tugged Roxanne's hand. "Mommy, let's go!"
They didn't want to see Lucian with Aubree.
Roxanne nodded and lowered her gaze, explaining to Estella, "I'm taking Archie and Benny for a walk. Be a good girl and stay with your daddy, okay?"
She bent and patted Estella's head before leaving with the boys.
Estella stared at their backs. Seeing Roxanne wasn't turning around, she turned to Lucian and tugged his sleeve.
Frowning, Lucian called out, "Ms. Jarvis, if you don't mind, can we join you?"
Roxanne halted and turned, giving Lucian a distant look. "I don't mind a walk with you and Ms. Pearson, your fiancรฉe. I just don't want to be the third wheel. So please, don't put me in an awkward position."
Without giving Lucian a chance to reply, Roxanne took the boys' hands and walked away. Lucian's expression darkened as he watched them go.
Fiancรฉe? Third wheel? That woman really knows how to get on my nerves.
Estella hadn't expected Roxanne to leave her. With Aubree beside her, her lips quivered, and her eyes reddened. She looked on the verge of tears.