Chapter 834: Easy to Please

The sky was darkening as Roxanne left the research institute. A knot formed in her chest; she worried Lucian was still at her home. However, upon arriving, she found only the three children on the couch, staring at the computer screen. Lucian was nowhere in sight.

“Mommy!” the boys exclaimed, noticing her arrival. Roxanne stroked their heads. “Where’s Mr. Farwell?” she asked.

“He left a long time ago, but we asked him to let Essie stay so we could wait for you,” Benny explained in his high-pitched voice.

Roxanne smiled. Her gaze fell on Essie, standing timidly behind the boys, unusually quiet. Clearly, she was still upset about their earlier conversation.

Roxanne knelt, looking into Essie’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Essie. I didn’t mean what I said this morning. I just wanted to say that—”

Essie, having spent the day contemplating forgiveness, was still slightly unsettled seeing Roxanne. “But why did you leave, Ms. Jarvis?” she asked slowly, blinking. She suspected Roxanne’s reluctance to become her mother stemmed from her feelings about Lucian. But she didn’t understand why Roxanne had left, knowing Essie was upset. Why hadn’t she stayed to talk? The contrast with Roxanne’s previous actions—coming to find her last time—was stark.

“I’m sorry,” Roxanne said apologetically. “I really had something important to attend to this morning. I won’t upset you again. Will you forgive me?”

Estella simply stared.

“I’ll be right by your side whenever you need me,” Roxanne promised solemnly.

Essie’s eyes brightened; she leaped into Roxanne’s arms. Roxanne’s heart melted as Essie’s usual cheer returned. She'd expected more resistance; the little girl was remarkably easy to please.

Suddenly, Roxanne felt a warm touch on her cheek. She turned, surprised. Essie beamed, having secretly kissed her.

A warm feeling spread through Roxanne’s heart. She kissed Essie’s cheek in return.

Essie was momentarily shocked, then overjoyed.

“Mommy! Why did you only kiss Essie? We’re going to be mad!” Archie and Benny joked, noticing the reconciliation.

Roxanne laughed, kissing each boy’s cheek, eliciting wide grins. She then stroked Estella’s head. “Did your daddy say what time he’d be picking you up?”

Essie shook her head. Lucian had simply told her to be good and stay with the boys before leaving abruptly.