Chapter 981: Keep That in Mind

Just as the call ended, before Roxanne could compose herself, a knock sounded on the bedroom door. "Mommy!" Opening the door, she was greeted by her two lively sons. They had waited in their room all afternoon, their mother never appearing, so they came to her.

Suppressing her unease, Roxanne forced a smile. However, Archie and Benny were sensitive to her emotions; they immediately sensed her distress. Benny tugged at her shirt, asking, "Mommy, what's wrong?" Archie, meanwhile, quietly observed her, studying her face intently.

Roxanne offered a casual smile. "It's nothing. I just had a nightmare." Benny exchanged a look with his brother. Their disbelief was evident. Roxanne saw their suspicion but couldn't alleviate it. She always missed their attempts at deception, yet they unfailingly perceived her distress.

"Is it because of Grandma?" Archie asked, tilting his head. Even though Mommy hadn't shown it earlier, Grandma's words had been hurtful.

The way Archie addressed Sonya caused Roxanne to pause. "Grandma." Yes, that's how they should call her, if they knew their history. If not for her attempts at concealment, Sonya wouldn't have spoken so cruelly to the boys.

Roxanne gazed at them apologetically. "Didn't Mommy say not to take Grandma's words to heart? All we need is for Essie to like us." Archie gently held and shook her finger. He added, "Also, once Mommy gets back together with Daddy, Grandma's impression of us will surely change. But I don't think we'll like her as much."

Each time the boys called Sonya "Grandma," Roxanne's heart skipped a beat. "Remember," she said, "you must call her Mrs. Farwell, not Grandma."

The boys looked at her questioningly. "Why?"

A flicker of guilt crossed Roxanne's eyes as she ruffled their hair. "Because... she's not your real grandma. You can only call your real grandma that."

Their expressions shifted momentarily before regaining composure. "Okay, we'll keep that in mind." They understood their history, but they would comply with her request.

Roxanne sighed in relief. "I'll be busy with work these days, so I might not be able to pick you up. You must be good and listen to Ms. Lane, okay?" Lysa had returned from leave, giving Roxanne an opportunity to distance herself from Estella.

The boys, considering her correction about Sonya, understood. Mommy's going to avoid Daddy and Essie again. And yet she says it's not because of Grandma's words...

"But if Essie starts crying..." Benny understood his mother's actions, but worried about Estella.

Roxanne lowered her gaze. "I'll have to ask you to help me coax Essie, then." She needed distance from Estella, but the boys did not.