Chapter 573

“It’s getting late,” Roxanne said, keeping her dread in check as she approached the boys. “Let’s head back.”

She acted as if nothing were amiss, reaching for their hands and gently pulling them away from Lucian. The boys, oblivious to the shift in their mother’s mood, obediently nodded.

Lucian, however, noticed her retreating steps and darkening expression. Her intention was clear: she was worried about the boys becoming too close to him. Was she, then, partly responsible for their resentment toward him? Did she hate him so much?

Roxanne gave him a curt nod, then hurried the boys to the counter to settle the bill. She quickly led them out of the workshop, forgetting Estella remained inside.

Estella sat dazed at her station, confused. “I just exchanged my present with Ms. Jarvis,” she thought, “and then she took Archie and Benny away in a flash, leaving Daddy and me here.” She turned to her father with an assessing gaze, wondering if he had angered Roxanne again.

Lucian sensed her scrutiny and felt a headache coming on. “Essie, come on. We should go.”

He was used to Roxanne, Archie, and Benny giving him the cold shoulder, but now even his own daughter seemed to suspect him of causing Roxanne’s change of mood.

Estella pouted, dragging her feet as she walked to Lucian’s side. He reached for her hand, but she was clutching the hem of his shirt, her gaze lingering on the departing trio. His brows furrowed at her dejected expression, but he led her after them.

Their route back to their rooms took them across the beach, which was bustling with activity. Although the crowd was smaller than the previous night’s fireworks display, Roxanne and Lucian remained vigilant with the children.

“Daddy!” Estella tugged roughly at his shirt when Roxanne didn’t glance back. Lucian lowered his gaze, unable to decipher Roxanne’s thoughts.

“Did you make Ms. Jarvis mad again?” Estella glared at him.

Lucian’s eyelid twitched. He was right; she blamed him. He paused, suppressing his feelings before asking, “Didn’t you see what happened earlier? Do you think I angered her?”

Estella frowned in contemplation, slowly shaking her head. “I can’t think of anything you did that would make her angry.” All Daddy did was accept Archie and Benny’s presents; that couldn’t be his fault.

Lucian nodded, his dark gaze falling on Roxanne’s retreating form. “I can’t think of anything either.” Everything had been fine until he accepted the boys’ presents. Afterward, Roxanne’s expression changed, and she hurried the boys away, even leaving Estella behind. Did she so desperately want the boys to distance themselves from him?