Chapter 677 The Concern
“Mr. Damaris and I…” Roxanne began to explain, but noises suddenly came from behind them. It sounded like the children had woken up.
Thus, Roxanne cut herself off and turned around to look at them. Benny, who had woken up at one point, was rubbing his eyes groggily. After a while, the boy slowly lowered his hand and squinted at his mother. “Mommy…”
Roxanne gave a quick glance at the man beside her as she tamped down the rising feelings in her heart. Once she recomposed herself, she flashed the boy a smile.
“Are we home?” Benny sat up and sprawled at the window to look outside. When he saw the familiar mansion, he asked his mother in a confused tone, “Why didn’t you wake us?”
Roxanne was reminded of her earlier conversation with Lucian, and guilt settled in her stomach. “We just got here. I was about to wake you, but you woke up on your own.”
The boy was not entirely sober yet, so he did not dwell much on Roxanne’s reply. He turned to carefully nudge his brother and woke him up.
The noise woke Estella as well, who looked around in a daze, unable to figure out where she was for a moment.
The awakening of the children signaled the temporary end of Roxanne and Lucian’s conversation.
Roxanne then turned back to Lucian and said, “Thank you for sending us back, Mr. Farwell. It’s getting late, so I won’t invite you in for a drink anymore.”
With that, she opened the door and stepped out of the car before carrying the children out from the back seats.
The night breeze was chilly. Although the heater was on in the car, Roxanne’s clothes were still wet. Hence, she could not stop the shudder from going through her body when the wind blew at her.
Both Archie and Benny shuddered from the cold as well. They quickly hugged their arms and stood at the side.
When Estella saw the boys getting carried away by Roxanne, she stretched her arms out at the woman. “I want to go with Ms. Jarvis too!”
The girl was still sleepy, and she sensed nothing of the strange tension in the car. All she did was express the thoughts that flashed past her mind.
The moment Roxanne, who was about to close the car door, heard her, she froze in her tracks. A stumped look crept upon her face. “Be good, Essie, and go back with Daddy. I have some work to do later, so I won’t be able to take care of you.”
The collaboration with the Damaris family was already on the right track, and Roxanne had to put all of her focus on the project. Her schedule for that night was to read up a little more about ancient medicine.
If she were to let Estella stay with her, it would undoubtedly disrupt her plans.
It was a hard choice. Despite the ache in Roxanne’s heart, she rejected the girl.
After all, they had more chances to spend time with each other, but Roxanne only had one chance to work with the Damaris family.
The girl’s eyes were still watery from her grogginess, and she took some time to register Roxanne’s rejection. A few seconds later, she pouted and stated, “I can take care of myself.”
It had been forever since she got the chance to sleep with Roxanne.
Roxanne felt even more helpless at the girl’s pitiful look. Hence, she turned to seek help from Lucian. “I have to prep for the collaboration with the Damaris family later, so I really don’t have the time for her.”
Just as she said that, the man’s expression darkened.
Roxanne’s heart lurched, recalling their conversation before the children woke.
Clearly, the man was annoyed by her mention of the Damaris family.
Roxanne never thought that Lucian would be so concerned about her relationship with Jack.
