Because Catalina usually cared for Estella, Lucian lacked experience with children and mistakenly believed his daughter was merely throwing a tantrum. Panic flashed in his eyes as he saw her weep, but he ultimately glared sternly.

“Stop crying,” he commanded, believing his tone was not harsh. However, to Estella, his voice sounded fierce. She cried harder, tears streaming down her pale cheeks like a river breaching a dam.

Lucian's brow furrowed; he was unsure how to react. Roxanne, however, could no longer bear to watch his coldness toward his weeping daughter.

“Is that how you treat a child? She’s already crying, and you’re still speaking to her like this? Can’t you be kinder?”

Lucian froze at her rebuke. Roxanne quickly approached Estella, knelt, and embraced her. “There, there, Essie. Don’t cry! You can come over to play anytime you like, okay? I’ll give you my number; just let me know when you want to visit,” she reassured gently. “Don’t cry anymore; you won’t look pretty.”

Archie and Benny stood nearby, tissues in hand. While comforting Estella, Roxanne used a tissue to wipe her tears. The little girl gradually calmed, burying herself in Roxanne's embrace. Roxanne, her heart aching, held Estella tightly and patted her back.

Archie and Benny, angered by Estella's tears, turned to Lucian indignantly.

“Why won’t you let Essie be friends with us?” Archie demanded. “We’ve never been mean to her! Both times she ran away, my mother cared for her, and we played with her. She enjoys playing with us and likes us; why can’t she be friends with us? We’re not bad!”

Lucian, unprepared for the boys' reproach, remained stone-faced, speechless. He hadn't wanted to be inconsiderate, but now they blamed him.

“Essie doesn’t have many friends at school. Only Archie and I like her and include her. We even helped her when she was bullied. If she can’t be friends with us, she’ll be alone! Is that what you want?” Benny added.

Lucian felt conflicted by their questioning. Their silence only fueled the boys’ frustration, confirming their suspicions.

Finally, Archie spoke, “We protect her and play with her, but you’re so skeptical. What kind of people do you think we are?”

Benny nodded, and both boys stared at Lucian with disappointment. He was their father, yet he had abandoned their mother before they were born, and now, besides disliking them, he wouldn't let his daughter be friends with them.

The note about NovelDrama.Org and Findnovel.net has been removed as it is unrelated to the text's content and appears to be promotional.