Estella shook her head repeatedly with a helpless expression.
Just as she was at a loss about what to do, she heard Lucian’s firm footsteps approaching.
Immediately, her eyes lit up. She darted past Aubree and sought refuge in Lucian, wrapping her small arms around his thigh.
Lucian looked down at the child clinging to him and thought of Aubree’s apologetic words earlier.
“It won’t take just one night for Essie to forgive you, so there’s no need for you to resort to such desperate measures,” he uttered while staring grimly at Aubree, who was still crouching on the floor.
In response, Aubree pretended to smile bitterly. She said in dejection, “I’m sorry. I was impatient again. I’m just—”
Before she could finish her words, Lucian cut her off, “It’s getting late. Come downstairs and ha
