Guilt surged within Roxanne when she caught the children’s worried gaze. However, she silently averted her gaze.
“I had your dad bring you here because I didn’t want you to continue worrying about me. Now that you see I’m fine, you can be assured of my well-being. I’ll worry about your health again if you catch my cold.” Despite her explanation, Benny was still unwilling to leave.
Archie gave in and said, “We’ll head back then. Take good care of yourself, Mommy.” Hearing their brother’s words, Benny and Estella couldn’t voice their disagreement despite their unwillingness.
Roxanne let out a relieved sigh when they finally conceded. She nodded with a smile. “Got it. I’ll take good care of myself so that I can go home to you as soon as I can.”
“You must pick up our call!” Archie demanded with a grim look on his face. Roxanne knew the kids were worried sick for getting out of touch with her for the past two days. Her guilt clawed at her at that knowledge, so she agreed to Archie’s demand.
With her promise, the children finally relented. and released Roxanne’s hand reluctantly. Roxanne didn’t dare to meet their gazes and hurriedly turned her gaze to Lucian. “Lucian, you can send them back now.”
She was scared tears would flow from her eyes if she continued locking gaze with them. Guilt slammed upon her since she should stay by the children’s side seeing they were so upset.
However, she couldn’t discharge from the hospital. Thus she could only have Lucian take care of them on her behalf. Fear gripped Lucian as he watched the kids. being with Roxanne. He recalled how close she was to losing them.
However, he quickly snapped out of his flashback and collected his feelings at Roxanne’s cue. He nodded at the children and promised, “I’ll take good care of your mother. Going back obediently is the biggest help you can give to your mommy and me.”
He stepped closer to the kids and patted their heads before bending down and carrying Estella into his arms. He reached his empty. hand out to Archie and Benny.
Benny took his hand with tears still flowing while Archie held his brother’s hand. The kids cast a longing glance over their shoulders at Roxanne. Roxanne waved at them with a smile. She could feel the prick of tears at the back of her eyes. It was such a close shave and I would’ve lost them.
Watching Lucian and the kids leaving through the door, Roxanne’s gaze grew determined. I will do all I can to cure myself for the kids’ sake. They finally got a complete family after going through so much. I won’t ever let their situation revert to the past.
In the meantime, Lucian shut the backseat door after the children got in the car. He got in the driver seat and pulled away from the hospital toward the manor.
On the way there, the kids couldn’t stop crying. The atmosphere in the car was tense. Lucian’s heart ached for the children when he caught their red, puffy eyes through the rearview mirror.
“I promise you I’ll take good care of your mommy,” he swore. Benny sniffled before sobbing, “I trust you, Daddy. Every time Mommy got sick, you would take good care of her.”
When Mommy was sick before, Daddy would stay by Mommy’s side, and Mommy would get better every time. I’m sure this time is no different.
Guilt clenched Lucian’s stomach at Benny’s trust. His lips curled into a faint smile before answering, “That’s for sure.”
If they knew, they almost lost Roxanne because of me. I wonder if they would still trust me like this. The children were clueless about his thoughts. They merely pleaded with him to take care of their mother well.
Lucian agreed with a heavy heart. Lucian glimpsed at the rearview mirror again when the kids’ voices had gotten softer. Exhaustion from all the crying finally set in. Benny and Estella were sound asleep with their heads leaning against each another.
