Chapter 888: Feeling Uneasy

After considering it, Archie frowned at the second-floor room. The elder brother, as always, needed more time to decide. "Mommy's upset and worried about Essie," he said. "We shouldn't go without her knowing; she'll panic!"

Benny persisted, "Essie might still be uncomfortable when she wakes up. Seeing us will cheer her, and we can tell her Mommy's worried."

Archie, swayed by this, finally made up his mind. Soon, the boys slipped out of the mansion and hailed a cab, heading to the Farwell residence.

The cab driver, naturally surprised by the two children, hesitated before asking, "Hello, kids. Where are your parents?"

"We're going to Daddy's house! Mommy gave us money for the fare," Archie replied sweetly.

Relieved, the driver started the car. He noted the luxurious neighborhood, then the even more upscale area they were entering. Such young children, already living apart from their parents…pitiful, he mused.

Unaware of the driver's thoughts, Archie and Benny eagerly anticipated seeing their father and Estella.

Meanwhile, Estella slept in her bedroom at the Farwell residence. Awakened by a ringtone, she opened her eyes, dazed. "It hurts…" she moaned, feeling excruciating pain around her eyes.

Lucian, alerted by her voice, rushed in, concerned about how long she'd been awake. James had left earlier to attend to urgent business after returning them home, repeatedly reminding Lucian to watch Estella's emotional state as she might be unstable upon waking.

The little girl, squinting, saw her father. With a sorrowful expression, she reached for him.

Lucian quickly scooped her into his arms. "Are you okay? Are you uncomfortable?"

Estella gently touched her eyes, whispering, "Eyes…they hurt."

Frowning, Lucian saw the swelling around her eyes—the result of her earlier crying. This happened frequently, even before meeting Roxanne. As an autistic child, Estella struggled to express and manage her emotions, often crying silently in her room, resulting in swollen eyes the next day. Lucian was accustomed to this.

He carried her downstairs, applying a cold compress.

Catalina greeted them politely. Noticing Estella's swollen, red eyes, she exclaimed worriedly, "Goodness, that's quite severe!"

Estella, held close by Lucian, gripped his shirt tightly. Still upset from her crying, she tried to respond to Catalina, but a burp escaped, bringing fresh tears.