Chapter 803: Fly Into a Rage

Before leaving, Lucian checked on the children. He found them chatting with a laptop. At his entrance, they quickly closed it, looking self-conscious. "Mr. Farwell," one asked, "what brings you here? Is Mommy all right?"

His shirt was still stained from Roxanne's vomiting, but his jacket concealed the mess. Seeing their anxious faces, he frowned. "It's late. Why aren't you asleep?"

The boys exchanged glances. "We'll go to sleep right away." They wouldn't admit their worry about their parents arguing kept them awake.

Lucian looked at them intently. "Your mommy is asleep," he said in a low voice. "I'm heading home. You boys should go to bed." He added, "Don't tell your mommy about tonight."

Despite agreeing, the boys were disappointed. They'd hoped Lucian would stay with their mother all night, hoping Roxanne would be touched upon waking. His departure, and his request for secrecy, dashed their hopes. When will Daddy and Mommy reconcile? they wondered.

Only after ensuring the children were asleep did Lucian leave. Estella was already asleep when he reached the Farwell residence. After changing, he checked on her.

Estella, who'd missed her father, awoke at his entrance. Rubbing her eyes, she looked at him sleepily. Lucian tousled her hair. "Did I wake you?"

Estella shook her head, then wrinkled her nose. "Daddy," she asked with concern, "were you out drinking?"

Lucian was startled. He smelled himself, realizing he reeked of alcohol. My clothes must have absorbed the smell from the car, he thought.

Estella continued to look at him curiously. Lucian said casually, "It's Ms. Jarvis's smell."

This jolted Estella awake. She tugged his sleeve. "Did Ms. Jarvis drink a lot? Daddy, why weren't you taking care of her?"

Lucian sighed inwardly. He'd forgotten how much Estella cared for Roxanne. "I came home after tucking Ms. Jarvis in. She's asleep."

Estella remained unsatisfied. "But what if she feels unwell when she wakes up? Daddy, you should have waited until morning."

Lucian chuckled and shook his head. It's not that I didn't want to, he thought, but if she sees me tomorrow, she'll remember she undressed in front of me. She'll be furious with embarrassment. I might as well let her think it was a dream.

Faced with his silence, Estella began criticizing his courtship of Roxanne. Her rambling faded, and her eyes closed. Lucian offered no further explanation until she fell asleep.