Chapter 284: I Did Not Take Care of Her

After the meal, Lucian instructed Cayden to take Archie and Benny home to rest, while he remained in the ward with Roxanne to keep Estella company.

Roxanne couldn't bear to leave the little girl alone. Estella, still frightened, clung to Roxanne's clothes. Seeing Estella's pale face, Roxanne felt guilty. She caressed Estella's cheek and apologized, "I shouldn't have rejected you this afternoon. I'm so sorry." Estella silently shook her head.

Roxanne remained downcast, guilt weighing heavily on her. Regret overwhelmed her upon learning of Estella's disappearance.

Now that she knew Estella was emotionally affected, Roxanne felt heartbroken and breathless.

"It has nothing to do with you," Lucian said, his brow furrowed as he heard her blaming herself.

Roxanne forced a smile and glanced at him without speaking. She had experienced the loss of a child; Lucian couldn't possibly understand her feelings.

Unsatisfied by his reassurance, Lucian fell silent for a moment before saying, "If you say so, then it's all my fault."

Roxanne looked at him, confused. Estella pursed her lips and glared at Lucian.

Lucian met their gazes solemnly, then walked to the bed. He stopped beside Estella and said, "I should have stopped Essie in time. It was my fault; I didn't take good care of her." Estella, seemingly displeased, turned her head away, her cheeks puffed up, refusing to meet his gaze.

Lucian's brow furrowed. "I knew Essie was upset. I should have refused Aubree's suggestion. If I had, Essie wouldn't have run away." He knew Estella disliked Aubree but hadn't rejected her advances—his fault.

Estella turned back, giving him a satisfied look.

Roxanne understood he was trying to comfort her, and she had to admit he bore the majority of the responsibility. Estella was his daughter, yet he had failed to care for her, causing her suffering.

Recalling Lucian's previous negligence in caring for Estella, Roxanne considered him a careless father. I wonder how much Essie has suffered over the years, she thought.

Lucian, unaware of her thoughts, sighed in relief as he saw her guilt lessen.

Before he could speak, his phone rang. He saw it was his mother calling.

A deep line appeared on Lucian's brow as he answered.

"How's Essie doing?" Sonya asked anxiously. Having learned of Estella's hospitalization, she wanted to visit and defend Aubree. Glancing at the bed, Lucian replied, "She's regained consciousness. She's fine, so you should go to bed. I'll bring her home tomorrow morning." Sonya was about to insist when Lucian added, "Essie is traumatized. She needs to sleep. Leave her to rest."

Sonya relented.

After the call, Roxanne and Lucian tacitly avoided further discussion of Estella's disappearance. Roxanne gently chatted with Estella, but the little girl only nodded or shook her head in response.

Roxanne was exhausted by the time she finally put Estella to bed after a bedtime story. Estella clung to her clothes, so Roxanne took a chair and fell asleep at the edge of the bed.

(Next Chapter)

The extraneous promotional text has been removed. Italics have been used to indicate Roxanne's internal thoughts. Minor grammatical and stylistic improvements have been made throughout.