Roxanne returned to the hotel. In the lobby, she saw Aubree sitting on a couch, her back to the door. Normally, Roxanne would have avoided Aubree, but this involved Estella. "Has Essie returned?" she asked.

Aubree, still shaken from earlier events, didn't notice Roxanne until she spoke. Their eyes met, and Aubree's anxiety instantly turned to anger.

"It's you! Roxanne Jarvis! You're the reason Essie is missing!"

Roxanne frowned, confused. Before she could ask, Aubree jumped up, pointing at Roxanne. "You have the audacity to ask that! Essie wouldn't have run away if it weren't for you! This is all your fault, you bitch!"

Roxanne paled. "What are you talking about?"

Aubree raged, "What did you drug Essie with to make her so attached to you? All I did was get her a different room! How is any of this my fault?" Her face contorted, it was unclear if she was blaming Roxanne or herself.

Guilt washed over Roxanne. So it's my fault Essie left? This wouldn't have happened if I'd taken her with me It's all my fault.

Aubree continued, "How will you make up for it if something happens to Essie, you bitch? I warned you to stay away from Essie and Lucian, but you wouldn't listen! You know Essie, yet you let her get attached to you. Are you trying to use her to get back with Lucian? That will never happen!"

Roxanne was only thinking of Estella. I'll never forgive myself if anything happens to her.

"So she hasn't returned?" Roxanne asked softly.

Aubree grimaced. "No. She left to look for you."

Roxanne nodded, ignoring Aubree, and left the hotel immediately. Essie's looking for me. I have to find her. She's alone and scared.

Aubree watched Roxanne go, seething. It's that bitch's fault I'm in this mess. And that little bastard is so annoying! Why did she run away? Why did she go to that bitch?

Unable to calm down, Aubree called the police, then Sonya. It's better I tell Sonya than Lucian.

Sonya answered after two rings. "Aubree, what's up? You visited Essie, right? How is she?"

"Mrs. Farwell, E-Essie is missing," Aubree choked out.

(Note: The FindNovel.net advertisement has been removed.) The use of the word "bitch" has been retained because it reflects the character's anger, but in a different context it would be better to choose alternative wording.