The Abandoned Wife

Unspoken Echoes: A Daughter's Silence

Roxanne noticed the man was overwhelmed with emotions. She could even predict what he was about to say next.Before he could say anything, however, Roxanne shut her eyes for a bit to conceal all her emotions and interrupted their conversation nonchalantly, "All right. Essie is not crying anymore, so it's time for you to go home. I should get to work soon, too."She then released the little girl and gently stroked her head. "Go home with your daddy, all right? You can always come and visit Archie and Benny next time."Pleased with Roxanne's assurance, the teary-eyed Estella broke into a smile and nodded before returning to her father.Lucian's eyes darkened for a second. He decided not to ask further since it was clear that Roxanne did not want to continue the topic.As the little girl with red-rimmed eyes walked toward him, he rubbed her head quietly and toned down his voice. "Say goodbye to Ms. Jarvis."Estella raised her hand and waved Roxanne and the two boys goodbye.The mother and sons responded with a hand wave.Lucian bobbed his head and said to Roxanne, "We're gonna go now."Before Roxanne could react, Lucian held Estella's hand, turned around, and left.After watching Lucian's car depart, Roxanne brought Archie and Benny back to the mansion.She squatted down and gave them a serious look. The two boys, too, looked at her as they knew their mother wanted to talk to them."Archie, Benny, listen carefully. Don't ever tell anyone about our family again-especially the fact that you don't have a daddy!" Roxanne felt her head throbbing when she recalled the incident earlier.Thank God I managed to put a stop to their conversation. Given Lucian's intelligence, the things the kids said would have aroused his suspicion.Archie and Benny looked perplexed. "Why not? It's a fact that we didn't have a daddy!"Roxanne's head pounded even more intensely when she heard their reply.I can't be telling these boys the real reason, can I? How can I tell them I'm afraid their biological father will come looking for them?After a short pause, Roxanne made up a story. "Because bad guys like kids who don't have fathers. They know mothers are not strong enough to protect their children. What if they snatch you away?"The two geniuses exchanged glances. They thought the explanation was lame but decided to play along. "Okay, Mommy."Roxanne sighed with relief. She got up, took her bag, and brought them to the research institute.Meanwhile, after leaving Roxanne's house, Estella was still sulking though she was not crying anymore. Throughout the drive back, she pouted and looked at the view outside the window as if Lucian was not around.Feeling helpless, Lucian sighed and said in a deep voice, "Still mad at Daddy? I'm sorry, Essie. It's all Daddy's fault. I shouldn't stop you from making friends, but you can't simply run away from home all the time. Communicate with Daddy if you have a problem."Estella tilted her head to look at him. Instead of looking out the window again, she lowered her head and stared at her tiny feet.Lucian sighed again. He reached out his hand and gently stroked her head. "Instead of writing, you should try to speak. Writing might not accurately convey your emotions and can sometimes cause misunderstanding."Estella shook her head and brushed his hand off. She hugged her notebook even more tightly and refused to put it aside.Upon seeing his daughter's reaction, Lucian frowned and fell silent.All the years, everyone assumed Estella was a mute, and Lucian had never bothered to explain to the public.The little girl was not mute. In fact, she had learned to speak much earlier than peers her age.However, Estella was later diagnosed with autism, and she gradually stopped talking to anyone. That was why she preferred to write down her thoughts on paper.Even when she was with Lucian, she refused to speak.As years went by, Lucian learned to accept Estella for who she was. But deep in his heart, he still wished to hear his daughter speak again.The two boys said she doesn't have many friends in kindergarten. I guess it's because she doesn't want to talk to anyone.Both of them stayed silent for the rest of their journey.Even after they had arrived at the manor, Estella got out of the car and walked in front.Lucian walked behind and entered the mansion right after her."You're finally home!"Lucian was a little bewildered when he heard his mother's voice the moment he stepped into the house.He glanced at the living hall and saw his parents standing next to Aubree. They were all surrounding Estella, wearing joyful expressions on their faces."Dad, Mom, what are you doing here?" Lucian frowned and asked.Sonya whined while inspecting her granddaughter, "I had to drag your dad over because I was so worried when I heard my baby girl went missing this morning. And why didn't you tell me?"Lucian did not know how to answer her."Essie, come. Tell Grandma where have you been?" Sonya was relieved that Estella came home in one piece. She hugged the girl and said, "How could you run away from home just like that? You're still a little girl. Grandma is so worried about you. Don't do this again anymore, okay?"Aubree echoed, "You can always talk to me if you're upset. Don't just run out of the house without telling us! Grandpa and Grandma were so worried about you. So was I! Had you not come home, I would have gone out to look for you!"Estella did not react much to Sonya's hug and Aubree's question, a frigid expression on her face.Knowing that this kind of atmosphere would make Estella uncomfortable, Lucian walked up to Sonya and took over the child. "Essie was just around the neighborhood. She's a smart girl, so you don't need to worry about her."Estella flung her arms around Lucian's neck and buried her head into the crook of his neck.Sonya's heart ached for her granddaughter. She turned around and complained to Lucian, "You must have neglected Essie because you're always busy with work! She wouldn't have felt lonely had you married someone who could take good care of her. She wouldn't have run away if someone was here to look after her!"Upon hearing that, Lucian knitted his brows. He knew Sonya was trying to press him to marry again. He immediately promised, "From now on, I'll try to stay home to accompany her during weekends. I didn't plan to go out today either, but an emergency cropped up, and I had to make a trip to the office."Sonya knew he was trying to play dumb. Instead of beating around the bush, she asked directly, "I don't want to play mind games with you anymore. When do you plan on marrying Aubree? She waited for you for six years, and you expect her to wait for another six years? Don't you feel bad for her?"Aubree held onto Sonya's arm and looked at Lucian with a faint smile as if she was anticipating a positive answer from him.That was why she invited Sonya and Elias over today,VasHe'll have no choice but to talk about our wedding since his parents are here.Yet, the answer Lucian gave shattered her dream."Mom, I've been busy lately, and you saw what happened to Essie. She has been quite emotional these days, often running away from home. Now is just not the right time for me to think about marriage."Sonya looked up at Lucian with a scowl and advised him, "All the more reason for you to tie the knot with Aubree! Isn't it better if she can help you take care of Essie? She has always regarded Essie as her own,""Mom!" Lucian interrupted Sonya in a deep voice and reiterated, "I said this is not the right time, and I'll always put Essie's first before making any decision, so stop giving me pressure!"Aubree's expression turned grim when she noticed the annoyance on his face. She stepped in to defuse the tension, saying, "It's all right, Mrs. Farwell. I can wait. I believe Essie would one day accept me. We'll give her more time."Touched by Aubree's remark, Sonya gently patted her hand to console her. What a gentle, affectionate child. I don't understand why Lucian refused to marry her right away.Estella overheard their conversation and grimaced. I don't want this evil woman to be my mommy!