Roxanne was initially stunned by Estella's actions, but her heart ached for the girl. Instinctively, she knelt and embraced Estella, patting her back. Estella clung to Roxanne's clothes, sobbing uncontrollably.

Lucian watched the scene, a look of helplessness fleeting across his face. He thought, "Just a while ago at home, Estella avoided me. Now, with Roxanne here, she immediately seeks a hug. Are children naturally this dependent on their mothers?"

"Okay, stop crying. Tell me what's wrong," Roxanne soothed, worriedly.

Estella couldn't speak. Finally, Lucian cleared his throat and said casually, "She went to kindergarten today and didn't see your sons. She thought they'd stopped going, cried all night, and insisted on coming here to find out why."

Roxanne sighed inwardly. This little girl is really attached to my boys, she thought.

Softening her tone, Roxanne said, "There, there. Don't cry. The boys had upset stomachs today, so I kept them home. They'll be back at school tomorrow to play with you."

Hearing Roxanne confirm Lucian's words, Estella finally believed them. She slowly stopped sobbing and pulled away from Roxanne, cautiously peering into the house to look for the boys.

Unable to see the dining room from the entrance, her unease returned. Roxanne, noticing Estella's anxious expression, felt her heart melt. "Do you want to play with them? I can take you to them," she said, patting Estella's head.

Smiling, Roxanne carried Estella. Just as she was about to enter the house, Estella leaned back. Roxanne remembered Lucian was still outside and wouldn't enter uninvited. Turning, she saw him standing there, his shirt clinging to his body in the night breeze. He must have rushed here and forgotten his coat, she thought.

Feeling sorry for him, she said calmly, "Please come in, Mr. Farwell."

He entered immediately. "The boys are having dinner. Let me take you to them," Roxanne said, carrying Estella.

They soon arrived in the dining room. Archie and Benny, startled by their arrival, stopped eating. "What's Essie doing here?" they asked, puzzled.

Roxanne placed Estella between them. "Essie worried when you weren't at kindergarten. She cried and wanted to find you. Talk to her."

Estella nervously twisted her dress, gazing intently at Archie and Benny with wide eyes. Her slightly pink nose made her look like a doll.

Archie and Benny exchanged glances, finding her both cute and pitiful.

"We weren't feeling well this morning, but we're better now. Don't worry," Archie reassured her earnestly.

Benny grinned. "Look at you, all scared! We just took a day off. Can't you be away from us for just one day, you little minion?"

Relief washed over Estella; she broke into a smile.

(Note: The final sentences about FindNovel.net were removed as they were promotional and unrelated to the story's text.)