When Estella heard that Roxanne wanted to switch to another group for the play, she pouted in distress and looked to her daddy for help.
Lucian appeared emotionless, but his mouth was tensely shut. Although he did not say anything, it was obvious he was pissed.
Before he made his way to the kindergarten that morning, he told himself he would avoid getting into a disagreement with Roxanne. However, when he saw she was adamant about switching groups with Cassandra, he couldn’t help but get furious.
Estella suddenly recalled what Lucian had told her the night before. He had told her he would need her help to mend their relationship with Roxanne. .
She turned her gaze from Lucian and looked toward Roxanne. She was sniffling as she looked piteously at Roxanne, and tears were brimming in her reddened eyes.
Her loud sniffling was very conspicuous in the noiseless classroom, and everyone turned to look at her and Roxanne.
“I want Archie and Benny!” Estella cried out, pouting and heaving as she tried to control her tears.
Everyone felt sorry for her and turned to look disapprovingly at Roxanne.
“She’s so blessed to be grouped with Mr. Farwell. Many of us would fight for that chance, and yet she wanted to switch. What’s wrong with her?”
“The kids got along so well with one another, but she insisted on breaking them apart. Can’t she spare a thought for the kids?”
The other parents started whispering in hushed tones at the unexpected turn of the event.
Roxanne was not oblivious to Estella’s anguish and the accusations from the other parents.
For a moment, she nearly decided to take back her word after seeing how sad Estella was. However, she managed to steel herself, look away, and say, “Ms. Ward, if you have no objections, Ms. Clark and I will confirm the switch.”
“Mommy..” Benny anxiously tugged at her sleeve and pleaded.
Initially, the boys had no issues with Roxanne’s request for the switch. They reckoned Estella would still be able to see their mom anyway, even if they were in different groups.
However, Estella’s tears pained them, and they didn’t want Roxanne to switch to another group anymore.
There was a visible sense of helplessness in Roxanne as she looked at her boys.
Estella wailed sorrowfully when she heard Roxanne insisting on the switch. She wanted to go to Roxanne, but Lucian held her back.
Pippa was at a loss, caught between the tearful little girl and an adamant Roxanne. “Ms. Jarvis, as you can see, Estella will only do well with your boys…” she voiced.
Roxanne looked away from Estella and tried to block her cries from her mind.
She was keenly aware that Sonya knew about the anniversary celebration. She trembled at the thought of the consequence if Sonya was to find out that she was going to act in a love story with Lucian and Estella.
She didn’t want Sonya to jeopardize her hard-earned opportunity to work with the Damaris family.
Lucian threw a glance in Roxanne’s direction.
When he realized she was not going to change her mind, a displeased look flashed across his face.
He stood up and announced, “I have no issue with the switch since Ms. Jarvis is reluctant to partner with us and insists on that. However, as you can see, Essie will suffer if she cannot be in a group with Archie and Benny. As such, I seek your understanding that we’ll have no choice but to withdraw from this year’s performance.”
Emotionlessly, he gave a slight bow in apology and strode out of the classroom with a reluctant Estella.
Estella was hyperventilating from the weeping and struggling violently against Lucian.
It was a heart-rending sight, and all the parents turned shockingly toward Roxanne, hoping she would step up to salvage the situation.
