Chapter 711: Have Dinner Together

The children, no longer interested in playing, listlessly dragged themselves to the carpet and slumped down. Roxanne had left, rendering their game pointless.

Lucian watched with amusement, then glanced upstairs and followed. He needed to speak with Roxanne, to clear up their misunderstanding.

Initially disheartened by their failed plan, the children’s spirits lifted as they saw Lucian ascend the stairs. He was undoubtedly going to find Roxanne, igniting a spark of hope within them.

Upstairs, Roxanne remained in her bedroom, wrestling with conflicting emotions. She'd been irritated by Lucian's domineering manner, yet captivated by the tenderness in his eyes during the game. She found herself scornful of her own fluctuating feelings. Perhaps, she mused, it was the unfamiliar tenderness in his eyes, a stark contrast to her years of knowing him, that stirred such unexpected emotions.

Lost in thought, she was startled by footsteps outside her door—clearly not the children. Lucian's arrival only intensified her internal conflict. Why had he come upstairs?

Before she could compose herself, a knock sounded, followed by Lucian's muffled voice: "Are you in there? Let's talk."

Despite anticipating his presence, Roxanne was momentarily stunned. Unsure how to respond, she hesitated.

More knocks. "If you're reluctant to let me in, we can talk like this." He continued without waiting for a reply. "I was impulsive earlier, but I think you should understand my feelings. Your willingness to accept flowers from another man felt, to me, like accepting another man entirely. I planned to remove myself and Essie from your life."

Roxanne's brows furrowed, a storm of emotions brewing in her eyes. Six years ago, she wouldn't have believed him capable of such words. His willingness to compromise for her sake deeply moved her. She stared blankly at the door.

"Right now, I feel the same way you did six years ago," Lucian sighed softly. The closed door made it easier to speak, to avoid direct confrontation.

Roxanne's gaze flickered at the mention of her past self.

"If you need time to calm down, I don't mind going home and leaving Essie here. Please send her to kindergarten tomorrow; I'll pick her up tonight," Lucian's voice again reached her through the door.

Frowning, Roxanne rose and opened the door to find him already on the landing.

"Stay and have dinner together, Mr. Farwell," she offered, surprised by her own words.