Chapter 835

Roxanne looked slightly troubled. She hadn't properly examined his face that morning, but Lucian must be annoyed. Calling him to ask about Essie's pickup time would make her seem guilty.

"If Daddy doesn't come, can I sleep with you tonight, Ms. Jarvis?" Estella asked eagerly. Roxanne, snapping back to reality, smoothed the girl's hair. "He'll definitely come."

Estella's eyes dimmed. "But," Roxanne added with a smile, "if your daddy doesn't come, you can sleep with me tonight."

Estella beamed. Roxanne glanced at the clock. "We didn't properly enjoy the cake this morning, so how about we bake another?" she suggested.

The children happily followed her into the kitchen. Roxanne arranged the ingredients on the table. Lucian wasn't helping, but they enjoyed the baking, their laughter filling the room.

After the cake emerged from the oven, the children decorated their slices with cream. Roxanne quartered each slice and served it. This baking session went far more smoothly than the morning's attempt, and the children relished their treat.

Afterward, Roxanne let them play. By nine o'clock, the children were yawning, but Lucian hadn't arrived.

"Is Daddy not coming, Ms. Jarvis? If he's not, let's go to sleep," Estella whispered, tugging Roxanne's shirt, her eyes barely open.

Roxanne hesitated. Estella looked exhausted, but where was Lucian? Was he even coming? She retrieved her phone, considering calling him. If he wasn't coming, she'd take Estella upstairs.

Just as she found Lucian's number, a car horn blared outside. The doorbell rang. Everyone turned towards the entrance, assuming Lucian had arrived.

"But I want to sleep with Ms. Jarvis! I don't want Daddy to come!" Estella pouted.

Roxanne switched off her phone and stared at the door, her expression unreadable. After a moment's hesitation, she walked to the entrance.

"Good evening, Ms. Jarvis," Cayden greeted politely.

Roxanne felt a brief, inexplicable mixture of relief and puzzlement. "What are you doing here?"

Estella, clutching Roxanne's clothes, asked, "Where's Daddy, Mr. Lawson?"

Cayden looked at them, pausing, noticing their resemblance. "Mr. Farwell has urgent business. He remembered Estella was with you and wanted to collect her himself, but couldn't. He sent me," he explained, smiling and extending a hand to Estella. "Come, Ms. Estella. Let's go home."

The little girl shook her head, hiding behind Roxanne, her eyes fixed on her with hopeful anticipation.