Chapter 690
Archie and Benny were fairly independent boys, having gotten used to Roxanne’s long work hours.
After a short discussion about Jack and Lucian, the boys quickly washed up and warmed some milk and bread for breakfast.
The doorbell suddenly rang just as they finished eating.
Archie and Benny exchanged a wary glance. When they switched on the video intercom, they saw Estella waving sweetly at the
camera.
The boys instantly smiled and opened the door for their precious Essie.
Outside, Lucian stood beside Estella and held her hand.
Benny could not help but feel sheepish when he spotted the subject of his discussion.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTo his credit, Archie remained calm and greeted Lucian politely. “Good morning, Mr. Farwell and Essie.”
“Good morning, Archie and Benny!” Estella was thrilled to meet the boys early in the morning, and she had a
radiant smile to show for it.
After greeting the boys, she looked into the house expectantly, hoping to see Roxanne.
Alas, Roxanne was nowhere to be seen.
Estella tugged on her father’s hand in agitation, and Lucian immediately understood her anxiety.
He looked over the boys’ heads and surveyed the house, only to confirm Roxanne’s absence.
Lucian frowned in confusion and asked, “Where’s your mom?”
Roxanne should have been ready to send the boys to school at this hour, yet she was conspicuously absent.
His question caused Archie and Benny to cast furtive glances at each other. They simultaneously recalled what they
had discussed earlier and hesitated about telling their father that a handsome man had fetched Roxanne to work.
Lucian sensed their hesitation, and his heart sank. “What’s wrong? Is she feeling unwell?”
He assumed Roxanne had caught a chill last night and was resting in bed.
After he spoke, he led Estella into the house, planning to head upstairs and check on Roxanne.
Realizing he was mistaken about the situation, the boys piped up, “No. Mommy, uh, went out.”
Lucian paused in his tracks and turned toward the boys with a frown. “Why did she go out without you? Isn’t she
sending you to school?”
Archie and Benny paused and mulled over their reply.
Eventually, Benny stated, “A man brought Mommy away.” He immediately averted his gaze from Lucian guiltily
after that.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLucian’s frown deepened after he heard Benny’s explanation. Larry and Jack’s faces immediately surfaced in his mind.
They are the only people who could bring Roxanne away.
Reminded of Roxanne’s relationship with the two men, Lucian’s expression. darkened. His tone inadvertently grew stern as he
asked, “Which man? Do you know him?”
It sounded like a re-enactment of how he told off Estella a day before.
Benny jumped in surprise and was about to confess everything when Archie poked him in the ribs.
He quickly recovered himself and placed both hands behind his back. Then, he frowned as though trying hard to recall his
memories and mumbled, “Hmm, I don’t think so.”
His answer was hardly useful to Lucian.
Lucian furrowed his brows in thought and rephrased his question. “Well, do you know why he came to get your mom?”
“Mommy said a child was sick and needed her help,” Archie volunteered before his brother slipped up.