The Abandoned Wife

Unexpected Bonds

After Roxanne was done tending to Estella, Archie and Benny returned downstairs while carrying Estella's gifts.They each had a strange-looking stuffed toy in their hands and walked up to the little girl. "We bought these with our pocket money. You can have them."The dolls looked adorable yet hideous at the same time and didn't seem to suit Estella at all.However, this was the girl's first time receiving gifts from peers her age whom she liked very much. Thus, she joyously accepted the stuffed toys and hugged them more tightly than she did her previous doll.After a long while, Estella finally put the toys down and scribbled a massive word of thanks on her notebook, showing her writing to Archie and Benny.This was the boys' first time seeing her beam like that.They used to avoid her because she was a child their father had with another woman.But after they saw how adorable she looked, their hearts skipped a beat as they exchanged glances and scratched their heads sheepishly.She's such a cute half-sister!I don't want to hate her anymore.Meanwhile, Roxanne's heart softened as she saw the three children interacting with each other. "Why don't you play with Essie for a while?" she suggested to her sons while stroking Estella's head. "I have to call the research institute and let them know I'll only be heading over a bit later. I just applied some ointment on Essie's hand, so be careful."The boys nodded obediently.Then, Roxanne went upstairs to make the phone call."Shall we play some Lego?" The boys didn't know what girls enjoyed playing, so they could only invite her to play with their usual toys.Even so, a bright-eyed Estella readily nodded in agreement.I was right to come here today. I got to have Ms. Jarvis tend to my wound, and Archie and Benny are now asking me to play with them!Both Archie and Benny's intelligence far exceeded that of a normal child, so Roxanne would buy them Legos for adults, which could usually be stacked into huge models. Their current project was about halfway done."If you don't know how to do this, you can watch us first," Archie said kindly.Estella nodded and solemnly watched them connect several Lego bricks. It wasn't long until shepicked up a few pieces and began doing the same.Seeing that, Archie and Benny stopped and prepared to guide her, only to realize that the girl seemed to be catching on quickly,Soon, she began to match their speed – at a high level of accuracy too:The boys were dumbfounded momentarily.Their mother had bought them these because they were highly intelligent, but now, Estella was doing as well as they were.Is it because we share the same father?Just as astonishment filled them, the doorbell to the mansion suddenly rang.The boys glanced at one another as they thought of the same person."I'll go get the door. Keep Essie company," Archie instructed while getting up and heading toward the entrance.He then opened the door to see a tall man dressed in an elegant suit – the man who was his father in name."Hello," Archie greeted politely, albeit with a hint of detachment.A frosty-looking Lucian had thought it was Roxanne who would open the door for him, and he frowned upon realizing it was a child.He must be Roxanne's kid.For some reason, the boy seemed to harbor some feelings of enmity toward him."Estella's here with us. Come on in." Archie shot the man a glance before turning around and walking back into the house coollyLucian gathered his thoughts and followed Archie into the mansion.As soon as he entered, he spotted Estella sitting on the carpet with her full attention on the Lego bricks before her. There was also a little boy next to her who looked just like the one who had opened the door for him.Twins, huh?With a darkened gaze, Lucian looked away from the boys and scanned the rest of the living room instead.Roxanne was nowhere to be found.Vas"Your daddy's here," Archie called out to Estella coldly after walking back in, his once-friendly demeanor having vanished completely.Upon hearing that, Estella stopped whatever she was doing and glanced up at Lucian who stood not far from her.But right after seeing him, she retracted her gaze and began to write something in her notebook.Lucian and the boys stared at her.Both Archie and Benny were reluctant to see her leave, but now that her father had arrived, there was no reason for them to let her stay.Lucian's browed knitted. He knew what the little girl was about to tell him.Soon, Estella raised her notebook.I don't want to go home yet.As he had expected.The crease between Lucian's brows deepened as his voice soon became laced with displeasure. "Estella Farwell, you left home without a word. Don't you think you ought to give me an explanation? This is the second time you've run away from home this month. Why on earth did you do it?"Estella met his eyes stubbornly before looking down to scribble on her notebook again: I like Ms. Jarvis. I like Archie and Benny. I want to be friends with them!A look of mockery flashed in Lucian's eyes as he read that. "You like them, but have you ever asked them if they like you? You came running to their house like this and disrupted their lives. Don't you know how rude that is?" he asked sternly.Estella pursed her lips and turned to the two boys carefully.She knew she would bother them by coming over early in the morning.But she couldn't help it. She liked them so much, yet her father wouldn't let her play with them.We've even already exchanged gifts, and they also invited me to play with them. Doesn't that mean they like me too?Benny's heart wavered as he saw the pleading look in Estella's eyes. "She's not bothering us," he chimed in, putting down his Lego. "In fact, we were just playing Lego together until you showed up. It was a lot of fun!"Estella smiled upon hearing the way Benny stood up for her. Then, she turned back to her father furiously.Lucian appeared conflicted at the boy's response.However, Archie quickly leaned over and gave his brother a nudge.