Roxanne was stunned as she instinctively recalled the sudden kiss on the stage at the mention of Sleeping Beauty. “Ms. Jarvis?” Jerking out of her reverie, Roxanne forced a smile at Estella before telling her the tale of Sleeping Beauty.
The child paid close attention and fell asleep shortly after Roxanne finished. Covering the child with the quilt, Roxanne lay down beside her.
Although she felt physically tired after running around an entire day, her mind was still in restless turmoil when she closed her eyes.
She couldn‘t help blaming herself despite having found Benny.
Aside from that, Estella‘s mention of Sleeping Beauty kept reminding her of the kiss during the play, and she couldn‘t seem to shake it off her mind.
Despite lying in bed for an indeterminate amount of time, Roxanne could not fall asleep.
Looking at the time and seeing that it was almost midnight, Roxanne promptly got out of bed and went downstairs.
If I‘m right, there are a few red wine bottles at the bar. Maybe I‘ll sleep better after having some red wine.
Emerging from her room, she frowned slightly when she saw that it was brightly lit downstairs.
Lucian is alone downstairs. Could he be awake as well?
Roxanne slowed down.
She did not want to go down and face the man alone at that hour.
As she was debating with herself whether or not to return to her room, Lucian‘s voice sounded. “Can‘t sleep, Ms. Jarvis?”
Roxanne paused in her steps. After a long hesitation, she decided to go down.
“How did you know it was me?”
Lucian was seated on the couch, dealing with some work. He glanced up upon hearing her words. “I heard the door open, and the kids should be asleep now. You are the only one left.”
Roxanne nodded in comprehension. “Are you not done with work?” she asked with polite concern.
“Yeah. What about you? Why can‘t you sleep?”
Roxanne frowned, wondering how she should broach the subject.
Aside from losing Benny, the other reason was more difficult for her to discuss.
Lucian‘s voice sounded again before she could speak. “Are you still not over the incident of losing Benny?”
The man‘s eyes remained fixated in her direction.
Roxanne hesitated for a moment before nodding in silent admittance.
Lucian‘s eyes grew slightly dim.
He had expected it. The woman did not look good when the child had gone missing. He reckoned she would not recover from it that easily.
He had also anticipated that the woman might not be able to fall asleep that night.
The living room plunged into silence.
Roxanne felt awkward. She cleared her throat to speak, but the man‘s voice sounded again.
“It wasn‘t your fault that Benny went missing. It was my fault for not keeping a closer eye on all of you, as I was by your side,” Lucian said in a low voice. “You don‘t have to blame yourself. Rest assured that something like this will never happen again.”
His speech surprised Roxanne.
He sounded as though they would be living together in the future and that he would help to care for the two boys.
Such a thought had only flashed across her mind once.
Roxanne quickly regained her composure and said, “I appreciate your gesture, Mr. Farwell, but there is no need to take all the responsibility upon yourself. I will take better care of my children.”
