Chapter 976: Give Her to Me
Thirty minutes later, Sonya's car pulled up to the Farwell residence. Estella, in the back seat, had fallen silent. Sonya breathed a sigh of relief, assuming the journey home had finally exhausted her granddaughter's tears. To her dismay, Estella's face was still wet with them.
The child was weary from crying, but the tears continued silently. She didn't even turn her head when Sonya opened the car door. Sonya's heart ached at the sight of her granddaughter's quiet sobs. She lifted Estella into her arms, consoling her helplessly, "Why are you still crying, my dear? Do you miss Roxanne so much? Am I not good enough?"
Estella shook her head. Sonya's heart sank. Was Roxanne turning Estella rebellious? Was her granddaughter rejecting her? Her anger toward Roxanne flared. Just as Sonya was about to speak, Estella wrapped her arms around her neck.
The gesture reassured Sonya, softening her expression. Wiping Estella's tears, she said, "Listen to me, sweetheart. Since she doesn't want you, we'll forget about her!" Roxanne's cruel abandonment had always been a festering wound for Sonya.
Estella, misunderstanding Sonya's words as criticism of Roxanne, began to cry again. Sonya felt utterly helpless and frustrated. She simply carried Estella into the mansion.
"Mrs. Farwell, Miss Estella," Catalina greeted respectfully, having just instructed Lucian to come down for dinner. She noticed Estella's tear-stained face before Sonya demanded, "What are you waiting for? Prepare Miss Estella's favorite dishes! Quickly!" She patted Estella's head, softening her tone, "What would you like to eat, Essie? I'll ask Catalina to prepare it..."
Sonya carried Estella toward the living room couch. "Daddy..." Estella called, releasing her grip on Sonya's neck.
Sonya was stunned. Heavy footsteps approached. Then, her son's unhappy voice, "Didn't you say you'd give up?"
Lucian frowned and reached for Estella. Sonya hesitated, feeling guilty. Estella's sobs intensified, and she struggled to break free. Finally, Sonya sat on the couch, her granddaughter still in her arms.
"I want Daddy!" Estella cried, looking at Lucian.
Lucian remained standing. "No matter how angry you are, you can direct it at me. Essie is clearly distressed. Please give her to me."
Sonya's heart ached. She could release Estella, but the sight of her granddaughter struggling against her embrace, coupled with the memory of Roxanne's influence, reignited her anger.