Chapter 287: Making It Up

Sonya scowled at Lucian's continued criticism of Aubree. "Aubree feels guilty about what happened," she said. "She apologized last night. Why are you being so harsh?"

She glanced at Estella, who was hiding behind Lucian and sobbing silently. Feeling bad for her granddaughter, Sonya urged softly, "Essie, stop crying. Did you get hurt?"

Estella nodded wordlessly.

Lucian glared at Sonya. "If you knew where we found Essie, you wouldn't ask," he said.

Sonya was baffled. They had only spoken briefly on the phone yesterday.

Lucian shot Aubree an icy look. "Essie ran into the mountains near the botanical garden and fell into a hole," he explained. "She was there all night. Do you think she wasn't hurt?"

His words were directed at both Sonya and Aubree. He hoped Aubree would discreetly leave after hearing this.

Horrified, Sonya blanched. She pulled Estella into a hug. "Oh, my sweet Essie, you must have suffered. Don't wander off like that again, okay?"

Estella clung to Sonya, but her sobs continued despite Sonya's comfort. After a while, Sonya noticed Aubree was close to tears.

"Aubree means well," Sonya said, feeling sorry for her. "She wanted a bigger room for you and Essie. She didn't know Essie would be so upset. Now that Essie is safe, you should stop blaming her."

Lucian's brow furrowed, but he remained silent.

Sonya continued, "Besides, Aubree told me you were with that woman, Roxanne. What's going on? You're getting engaged to Aubree soon. Everyone in Horington knows this. What if word gets out? How will Aubree feel? Don't tell me you're planning on marrying Roxanne! I've made it clear—I will never accept her! She bears some responsibility for Essie's disappearance, too!"

Estella's chest heaved in Sonya's arms. The little girl was crying so hard she was gasping for air and struggling to get free. It was clear Estella was upset Sonya had scolded Roxanne.

Comprehension dawned on Sonya, and she scowled. "I don't understand what's so great about her! Why does Essie love her so much? She can't even bear to hear me criticize her! If she knew what happened, I wonder if she'd still feel the same way!"

Sonya was about to reveal Roxanne's past when Lucian interrupted. "This has nothing to do with Roxanne! If Roxanne hadn't gone into the mountains to search for Essie late at night, she would have spent the night there herself!"

Sonya was silent, struck by this. A few seconds later, she grudgingly conceded, "She should have done that."

(Sonya's aside:) Roxanne abandoned Essie as a baby. She's only making amends now!

[Next Chapter]

(Note: The repeated promotional text was removed. The awkwardly phrased sentence about telling Essie about Roxanne's past was also removed as it interrupted the flow and added little to the narrative.)