Benny's eyes brightened. Emboldened by Lucian's acceptance of Archie's gesture, he tentatively tried the same. He placed a roast potato on the man's plate and stared expectantly.

This thoughtful gesture stunned Lucian, who had expected the boy to complicate things. Regaining his composure, he offered a grateful smile. "Thank you. Have some more potatoes yourself." He reciprocated the gesture, deliberately avoiding the vegetables Benny had earlier said he disliked.

Benny's eyes widened. "Thank you, Mr. Farwell! I will!"

Meanwhile, Archie pouted, observing their interaction with disdain. Benny is such an idiot, he thought. He can't even see Daddy's obvious attempt to curry his favor! I won't be so easily fooled!

The rest of dinner passed in a strange atmosphere. Roxanne cleared the table. Lucian politely helped her put the silverware away. He then hesitated, unsure what to do next. While he should have left with Estella, he felt it inappropriate to depart after Roxanne had gone to the trouble of hosting dinner.

"I can manage on my own," Roxanne asserted, noticing his discomfort. "Could you keep an eye on the children?"

Lucian nodded and went to the living room. Estella was working with the boys on a Lego project. They had already assembled a section but were struggling to attach it at the correct height. Roxanne usually helped after the initial assembly, but she was busy with the dishes.

Archie fetched a chair from the dining table. "Here, let me." Lucian, taking pity on the children, offered Archie a hand.

Archie hesitated before handing the assembled piece to Lucian, who snapped it into place.

"Thank you," Archie said gruffly.

Lucian nodded, mostly watching the children play and occasionally assisting. In the kitchen, Roxanne's attention was fixed on the living room. She was regretting letting Lucian stay. Archie and Benny had already revealed too much in their previous confrontation with Lucian, and she felt deeply uneasy about them being alone together. Their easy rapport particularly bothered her. She feared they might say something they shouldn't.

The thought of Lucian discovering the boys were his sent a wave of panic through her. She couldn't guarantee he wouldn't take them away. Given her current circumstances, it would be easy for him to do so. She couldn't imagine life without them.

Terror gripped her. The bowl slipped from her fingers, shattering on the floor, jolting her from her thoughts.

(Note: The website promotion has been removed. The italicized text represents Archie's internal thoughts.)