“What is it?” Lucian asked, sensing there was something Roxanne wanted to divulge. He waited quietly and allowed her to take her time when he saw she was still reluctant.
His thoughtfulness made Roxanne feel even more guilty and strengthened her resolve to come clean with him, but she did not know where to begin.
After some contemplation, she looked into his eyes and asked, “What do you think about Archie and Benny?”
“I adore them from the moment I saw them,” Lucian stated in all seriousness, his gaze fixed on her. At that point, he could already guess what was on Roxanne’s mind.
All he wanted then was for her to say the words, so he remained quiet after that and just looked at her sincerely with anticipation in his heart. Roxanne’s gaze wavered when she noticed how earnest Lucian was. “That’s great…”
Because she had kept the secret for a long time, she did not know how to break it to Lucian and was nervously trying to phrase her words before speaking.
Somehow, she felt it was not the best time to reveal Archie and Benny’s identities to him, but she knew she could not afford to keep the secret from Lucian any longer, especially after what had taken place. It was not right for her to deprive the children of a complete family now that they finally had one.
The picture of them smiling blissfully gave her the courage to finally admit, “Archie and Benny are actually your children too. I’m sorry I hid this from you for so long.”
After she said that, Roxanne studied Lucian’s expression carefully, trying to read his thoughts, but the man looked composed, as if he was waiting for her to explain herself.
Seeing that the man was not angry, she continued, “I found out I was pregnant after I went abroad. After that, I met Professor Lambert, who was a great help when I gave birth to the three children, but the baby girl died in labor. It broke my heart and took me a long time to put behind me.”
Here, she glanced at the door and smiled. “Unexpectedly, she has always been by your side.” It pained Lucian to listen to how life had been for Roxanne in those six years.
“As for Archie and Benny,” Roxanne went on with her gaze low, her tone lamenting, “I initially planned on staying overseas for good and never coming back.”
I wanted to hide them from you because I feared you would take them from me. At that point, Roxanne thought Archie and Benny were all she had in life.
“You were afraid I would take them from you,” Lucian worded her thought, to which Roxanne smiled with her lips pursed, admitting the truth of the statement. “I’m sorry you were separated from the boys for so long because of me,” she apologized.
“No. You don’t have to apologize because it’s my fault. I was the one who hurt you and betrayed your trust six years ago. I promise I will earn your trust back bit by bit. I’m glad that they were able to stay by your side all those years in my stead.”
Lucian believed everything had turned out how it was meant to be since Archie and Benny were why Roxanne managed to pull through those years without feeling lonely and why he could win her back so quickly.
Roxanne felt a burden off her chest when she saw that Lucian did not blame her, but something still bothered her. “Don’t you have anything to ask me? This is a serious matter. Do you really believe what I said, just like that?”
