"Dad, Mom, what are you doing here?" Lucian frowned and asked.

Sonya whined, inspecting her granddaughter. "I had to drag your dad here because I was so worried when I heard my baby girl went missing this morning. And why didn't you tell me?"

Lucian didn't know how to answer.

"Essie, come. Tell Grandma where you've been," Sonya said, relieved Estella had returned unharmed. She hugged the girl. "How could you run away from home like that? You're still a little girl. Grandma was so worried. Don't do this again, okay?"

Aubree echoed, "You can always talk to me if you're upset. Don't just run out of the house without telling us! Grandpa and Grandma were so worried, and so was I! If you hadn't come home, I would have gone looking for you!"

Estella showed little reaction to Sonya's hug and Aubree's question, her expression frigid.

Knowing this atmosphere would upset Estella, Lucian approached Sonya and took the child. "Essie was just in the neighborhood. She's a smart girl; you don't need to worry."

Estella flung her arms around Lucian's neck, burying her head in his shoulder.

Sonya's heart ached for her granddaughter. She turned to Lucian, complaining, "You must have neglected Essie because you're always busy with work! She wouldn't have felt lonely if you'd married someone who could take good care of her. She wouldn't have run away if someone were here to look after her!"

Lucian knitted his brows. He knew Sonya was pushing him to remarry. He promised, "From now on, I'll try to stay home with her on weekends. I didn't plan to go out today, but an emergency came up, and I had to go to the office."

Sonya knew he was evading the issue. "I don't want to play games anymore," she said directly. "When do you plan on marrying Aubree? She's waited six years; do you expect her to wait another six? Don't you feel bad for her?"

Aubree held Sonya's arm, looking at Lucian with a faint smile, anticipating a positive answer. (The following two sentences are unclear and appear to be a separate, internal monologue, best removed or clarified.)

Lucian's answer shattered her hopes.

"Mom, I've been busy lately, and you saw what happened with Essie. She's been quite emotional, often running away. Now isn't the right time for me to think about marriage."

Sonya scowled. "All the more reason to marry Aubree! Wouldn't she help you take care of Essie? She's always considered Essie her own."

"Mom!" Lucian interrupted sharply. "I said this isn't the right time, and I'll always put Essie first. Stop pressuring me!"

Aubree's expression fell when she saw his annoyance. She stepped in, saying, "It's all right, Mrs. Farwell. I can wait. I believe Essie will accept me eventually. We'll give her more time."

Touched, Sonya patted Aubree's hand. What a gentle, affectionate child. She didn't understand Lucian's refusal.

Estella overheard, grimacing. I don't want this evil woman to be my mommy! (This final sentence should likely be integrated into the narrative.) Estella's silent reaction revealed her disapproval of Aubree.