This Is Not Your Home
After a long silence, Byron broke the silence coldly, “As you wish.”
Rosalie nodded and went upstairs to tell Estie to come down. The three children were in Lucian and
Nox‘s bedroom and looked dejected. The atmosphere in the bedroom was somber.
Lucian and Nox were playing with a robot in their hands, while Estie buried her face in her doll‘s
stomach. They were all staring into space. The three children looked over in unison when they heard
the door opening. Rosalie‘s heart softened when she met the children‘s hopeful gazes. Thinking of the
man downstairs, she steeled her heart and said softly, “Estie, your father is here to pick you up.”
Hearing this, the three children were all stunned.
Estie opened her eyes blankly and hugged the doll in her arms.
Rosalie lowered her eyes and repeated awkwardly, “Your father is waiting downstairs, come down
quickly.”
After speaking, she waited silently at the door. “Auntie…” Estie‘s timid voice piped up reluctantly.
Rosalie forced herself not to look at the little girl‘s expression. She did not speak, for fear that she
would make her stay. After a long while, the little girl appeared at the door. Rosalie could not help
herself from patting Estie‘s head and took her hand downstairs. Byron had already gotten up from the
sofa and was standing in the center of the living room with one hand in his pocket. It was as if he would
leave immediately when Estie appeared and did not intend to overstay his welcome.
Rosalie led Estie downstairs and softened her tone, “Go on.” After speaking, she released the little
girl‘s hand. Estie looked at her Daddy, then at the pretty auntie beside her reluctantly. She took two
steps forward, then suddenly turned back and hugged Rosalie‘s leg, unwilling to let go. Rosalie‘s heart
was in a puddle. She wanted to stroke the little girl‘s head soothingly but stopped herself in mid–air.
She forced herself to break away from the little girl‘s grasp without being too forceful about it.
“Be a good girl and go back with Daddy, okay? Auntie is very busy these days.” Estie seemed to sense
something amiss and clutched the hem of Rosalie‘s skirt with her little hands. She shook her head
vigorously and refused, “No! Don‘t want to go home!”
Hearing the little girl‘s words, Byron frowned slightly. In addition to the shock, there was a hint of
bitterness in his eyes.
The little girl was so dependent on her mother, but that woman did not plan to take care of her
anymore… Rosalie looked up at him, hoping he could say something. Byron just stood
expressionlessly; his eyes fixed on them. He had no intention of helping. Seeing this, Rosalie looked
away and squatted down, looking into the little girl‘s eyes. Estie pursed her mouth pitifully and her eyes
were tear–filled. She looked at Rosalie reluctantly, “I want Auntie!”
Rosalie‘s eyes softened, and she could not bear to watch the little girl cry, so she comforted her
patiently, “Estie dear, Auntie knows that you like Auntie. Auntie also likes you, but Auntie is really busy
and tired during this time. If you want to help Auntie, can you go back with your Daddy?”
“Auntie…” Estie bit her lip persistently. If she went back with Daddy, she did not know if she would be
able to see Auntie again… Looking into the little girl‘s eyes, Rosalie suddenly realized what she was
thinking, and it rendered her speechless momentarily.
After being silent for a few seconds, she smiled a little and said softly, “Auntie will always be here. If
you want, you can come and play at any time.” Estie was still somewhat skeptical.
On the other hand, Byron had seen enough of Rosalie‘s tricks to send Estie away, and urged her
coldly, “Estelle Lawrence, don‘t forget that this is not your home.” Estie lowered her eyes slowly in
resignation. She turned around and walked to her Daddy‘s side.
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