The three children exchanged glances, silently agreeing to put down their Lego pieces and run into the kitchen.

"What happened, Mommy?" Archie and Benny asked anxiously.

Their voices startled Roxanne from her reverie. Seeing her sons, she felt even more uneasy. Barely suppressing her fear, she forced a smile. "It's nothing," she said. "The bowl slipped. Don't come in; there's broken glass everywhere."

She squatted to pick up the pieces, her distraction evident. Lucian's eyes, unseen by the children, darkened as he watched her. I could be imagining it, but she seems troubled, he thought.

Roxanne lowered her head, disconcerted by his intense gaze. In a moment of carelessness, her fingers brushed a sharp shard. A searing pain shot through her fingertips, making her gasp.

"Mommy!"

"Ms. Jarvis!"

The children cried out as blood dripped from Roxanne's finger.

Archie and Benny were about to rush in when Lucian stopped them. He quickly knelt beside their mother, taking her wrist in his large hand, his expression cold.

Archie and Benny froze.

"What were you thinking?" he asked irritably.

Roxanne stared blankly at his hand on hers, speechless. He lifted her to her feet.

By the sink, she regained her senses as Lucian turned on the faucet, rinsing her wound.

"Wait outside," he ordered the children. "Don't come in."

Worried, but seeing their mother in his care, the children nodded.

Satisfied the wound was clean, Lucian used a handkerchief to staunch the bleeding.

"Thank you," Roxanne said, regaining her composure. Trying to pull away, she avoided his gaze. "I can finish this."

He frowned, tightening his grip. Roxanne felt annoyed by his refusal to let go.

He has a child with another woman. Essie is watching us. Conscious of Essie's gaze, Roxanne tried to distance herself. He has no reason to care. He only hates me.

Grimacing, she refused his help. Lucian ignored her resistance. "I'm going to dress your wound," he stated solemnly.

He led her away. Roxanne gritted her teeth. "Please don't trouble yourself. It's late; you should take Essie home. I can manage."

He froze, a fleeting dissatisfaction crossing his face before vanishing.

"How will you dress it with your right hand injured?" Suppressing his annoyance, he pulled her along, ignoring her protests. The children followed anxiously.

Under their concerned gazes, Roxanne ceased struggling, resigning herself to her fate. This man is too domineering.

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