Roxanne was moved when she heard Benny’s sincere words, and she began to waver. Lucian had already laid the groundwork. If Roxanne took the chance and told him the real identities of Archie and Benny, they could let things fall into place and be together. That way, they could also provide the three kids with a complete, happy family.
“Mommy, what are you guys talking about?” Having been neglected by the trio for quite a while, Estella approached them unhappily.
Roxanne snapped out of her thoughts at the girl’s voice. She reached out and pulled Estella into her embrace, asking, “Essie, do you want Daddy and I to live together?”
She seemed to be implying that she was ready to say yes to Lucian. Immediately, the three children’s eyes lit up. Archie and Benny turned to Estella, who nodded firmly and answered in a childish voice, “Yes! I want Daddy and you to be together!” The look in Roxanne’s eyes softened following Estella’s words. “Then-”
Before Roxanne could suggest that they should just live together, the doorbell to the mansion sounded. Perhaps it was because she just read the announcement, Roxanne had a feeling it was Lucian who rang the doorbell.
He did something like that to protect me. Of course he’ll come and claim the credit. At that thought, Roxanne stood up and walked toward the door, her countenance looking a bit complex.
She had made up her mind. If it was really Lucian at the door, then she would confess the two boys’ identities and accept his proposal. With that resolve in mind, Roxanne felt somehow nervous when she opened the door.
Yet the moment she saw the person standing before her, her face stiffened. The hopeful feeling she had was replaced with exasperation. Roxanne had yet to adjust her expression when the person at the door spoke first.
“It’s late already. Are you not going to invite me inside, Ms. Jarvis?” questioned Sonya contemptuously as she stood there and looked at Roxanne with arrogance. Coming back to her senses, Roxanne frowned and remained silent for a while before stepping aside.
Sonya strode in unceremoniously. At the sight of the three children beside the couch, she shot Archie and Benny a disdainful look. Then, she stretched out her arms at Estella. “Essie, come to Grandma.”
Wordlessly, Estella took a few steps backward and hid behind Archie and Benny. Meanwhile, the two boys couldn’t help but feel dejected when they saw the way Sonya looked at them. Although Lucian had acknowledged them as his sons, it seemed like Sonya still couldn’t accept them and even despised them.
When Roxanne came in after Sonya and saw the latter’s attitude toward the boys, her face turned grim. “Mrs. Farwell, you can just talk to me if there is any problem.”
Turning to the children, Roxanne instructed, “Archie, Benny, bring Essie upstairs first.” They nodded obediently and turned around to head for the stairs, but Sonya’s voice echoed behind them just then. “Stop right there.”
Sonya glanced at Roxanne coldly and stated, “I have nothing to say to you. I’m here to bring my granddaughter home.”
Raising her voice, Sonya went on, “Come here, Essie. I came all the way here at this time of the night just to fetch you. Don’t make me sad!” She refused to take no for an answer.
Estella stopped in her tracks and turned back to look at Roxanne and then at the scowling Sonya. Without a word, she moved to Roxanne’s side and grabbed the hem of the woman’s shirt. In response, Roxanne took Estella’s hand in reassurance. She began to regret letting Sonya in.
