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 also looked at her, knowing their mother wanted to talk.

"Archie, Benny," she said, "listen carefully. Don't ever tell anyone about our family—especially that you don't have a father!" Roxanne felt a throbbing headache as she recalled the earlier incident. Thank God I managed to stop their conversation. Given Lucian's intelligence, what the kids said would have aroused his suspicion.

Archie and Benny looked perplexed. "Why not? It's true we don't have a father!"

Roxanne's head pounded even harder. I can't tell them the real reason, she thought. How can I tell them I'm afraid their biological father will come looking for them?

After a pause, Roxanne fabricated a story. "Because bad guys like kids without fathers. They know mothers aren't strong enough to protect their children. What if they snatched you away?"

The two boys exchanged glances. They thought the explanation was weak but decided to play along. "Okay, Mommy."

Roxanne sighed with relief. She got up, grabbed her bag, and took them to the research institute.

Meanwhile, after leaving Roxanne's house, Estella was still sulking, though she wasn't crying. Throughout the drive, she pouted and stared out the window, ignoring Lucian.

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 have stopped you from making friends, but you can't just run away from home. Communicate with Daddy if you have a problem."

Estella tilted her head to look at him. Instead of looking out the window, she lowered her head and stared at her tiny feet.

Lucian sighed again. He reached out and gently stroked her head. "Instead of writing, you should try speaking. Writing doesn't always accurately convey your emotions and can cause misunderstandings."

Estella shook her head and brushed his hand away. She hugged her notebook tighter, refusing to put it down.

Seeing his daughter's reaction, Lucian frowned and fell silent.

For years, everyone assumed Estella was mute, and Lucian hadn't bothered to explain to the public. She wasn't mute; she learned to speak earlier than most children her age. However, Estella was later diagnosed with autism, and she gradually stopped talking to anyone. That's why she preferred writing.

Even with Lucian, she refused to speak.

Over the years, Lucian learned to accept Estella, but deep down, he still wished to hear his daughter speak again. The boys said she doesn't have many friends in kindergarten, probably because she doesn't talk.

They remained silent for the rest of the drive.

Even after arriving at the manor, Estella got out of the car and walked ahead. Lucian followed, entering the mansion after her.

"You're finally home!"

Lucian was startled by his mother's voice the moment he stepped inside. He glanced into the living hall and saw his parents and Aubree surrounding Estella, all with joyful expressions.

The final sentence, "Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ Findnøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality," is not part of the story and has been omitted.