Lucian strode into the kindergarten, late and unaware of the boys in the car. He immediately saw two figures by the slide: Estella, clinging to Roxanne.
"Mr. Farwell, you're here!" the teacher greeted respectfully.
Lucian nodded, walked toward them, glanced at his daughter, and stared coldly at Roxanne. "Why are you here?"
Roxanne, sensing his hostility, frowned in confusion. The teacher, surprised, asked, "Do you know each other?" She'd assumed Roxanne didn't know Estella, but Estella's dependence on Roxanne made it less surprising.
Roxanne nodded at the teacher, then addressed Lucian. "I'm picking up my boys. Your daughter wouldn't let go of my clothes."
Lucian's expression darkened at the words "your daughter." He thought, How can she say that in front of Estella? What a heartless woman!
Roxanne, unaware of her misstep, noticed the change in Lucian's expression as he turned to Estella. "Come here," he said grimly, extending his hand.
Estella glanced at his hand, then gave Roxanne a reluctant, pitiful look. (Just when I got to be with her, why is Daddy so fierce?)
As Estella refused to leave Roxanne, Lucian's expression grew darker. Finally, Roxanne tousled Estella's hair. "Your daddy's here, and I have to go. You should go home with him."
Roxanne stood, intending to leave as soon as Estella released her grip. However, Estella clung to Roxanne, pleadingly looking at her. She inexplicably loved being with Roxanne and wanted to go home with her.
The tension escalated. Before the teacher could intervene, Lucian approached Estella. "Estella Farwell, let go and come home with me," he commanded authoritatively.
Startled, Estella tightened her grip on Roxanne and leaned closer. Standing near the edge of the slide, she lost her balance while shifting her legs, and Roxanne quickly caught her. Estella then refused to let go, leaving Roxanne hugging her.
Calming Estella, Roxanne frowned. "Lucian, if you're upset with me, take it out on me, not the child."
Lucian, having witnessed the event, hadn't reached Estella in time. "How I treat my daughter is none of your business," he retorted. "Don't think her liking you gives you the right to interfere."
The tension threatened to explode. Roxanne's expression darkened, anger welling within her in response to his mocking tone.