Chapter 78 A Happy Family
Cecily's heart skipped a beat at Griffin's words as she thought to herself, 'Oh, my son, I don't mind starving but why are you being so stubborn with Darian?'
Darian glanced at the little guy with a faint smile and remarked, "She doesn't care about you, yet you still take her side, ungrateful child."
"Mommy is nice."
"You've lived with her one day and she's nice? Did she brew you some love potion?"
"Mommy is just really nice," Griffin asserted.
Darian couldn't help but laugh, shook his head slightly, and picked up his utensils. "Call her yourself. Don't expect me to do it."
Hearing this, Griffin dropped his sulking gaze and dashed over to Cecily, tugging at her hand, dragging her toward the dining room.
Cecily bit her lip and locked eyes with the little one, her expression seemed to convey: "Griffin, making decisions on your own, aren't you clever?"
However, she said, "Rowan, you go ahead and eat. Don't worry about me."
Griffin knew his mother must be mad at him for taking charge. However, with Darian there, she wouldn't dare to make a scene, and he might just get away with it.
Griffin quickly became bold again, his expression turning accusatory. "Mommy, it's tiring having to pacify everyone."
Cecily observed her son's small expression and found herself relenting. She decided she would address the matter with him later.
Griffin wore an expression that seemed to say if she didn't eat, he'd starve too. Cecily adopted a cheerful demeanor and, in a compromising spirit, walked over with him.
Immediately, Griffin pushed all his food toward Cecily, his eyes brimming with eagerness. “Mommy, you eat.”
Darian watched the little guy's dutiful act and felt an indescribable pang of sadness. He had taken care of him for five years, and yet the boy wasn't as close to him as to Cecily after just one day.
Suddenly, Darian felt his meal didn't seem appetizing anymore.
He watched the mother and son pushing the bowl back and forth between them, and he rubbed his forehead in frustration. “Is this the only meal we have in the Fitzgerald's House?”
The servant, smartly picking up on the cue, instantly served Cecily another bowl of food. “Here you go, Ms. Cecily.”
Cecily raised her hand to accept it and thanked the servant. “Thank you.”
“Mommy, eat quickly. Eat this, and this, and this...” Griffin eagerly loaded Cecily's plate with food, desperately trying to please her.
Cecily glanced at Griffin. His charm wasn't going to work this time. He should have discussed his plans with her to avoid catching her off guard.
Griffin blinked his large, pleading eyes.
Darian watched this tender mother-son moment, feeling his agitation almost drive him to flip the table. “Rowan, that's enough,” he finally said.
Cecily shifted her gaze from Griffin and looked at Darian, surprised to find that his attitude toward the child was different from what she had imagined and not at all like what Ophelia had described.
In contrast, Darian didn't show any disgust toward the child, only indulgence and doting.
Even when just moments ago Griffin was busily serving her and ignoring him, Cecily could swear she saw a hint of jealousy in Darian's eyes.
It was an emotion that didn't match the demeanor of someone who disliked another person.
Confused by this revelation, Cecily cleared her throat to give Griffin a gentle reminder.
Griffin immediately understood and moved to serve Darian as well, picking greens with his small fork and placing them in Darian's bowl. “Daddy, you should eat more vegetables too. Vegetables are nutritious.”
Then he served Cecily a few more slices of meat.
Daria was speechless.
Cecily chuckled awkwardly.
Eating at the same table with Darian, Cecily felt at ease, and so did Griffin. He freely served Cecily with some food, served Darian as well, and made himself at home like it was his own.
Moreover, he seemed to get along with Darian surprisingly well. It didn't seem like it was his first time here.
As Cecily contemplated this, she kept her head down and continued to eat her food.
During the meal, Darian stepped away to take a phone call. Cecily saw her chance to confront Griffin, and the frustration that she had bottled up finally erupted. She leaned in and whispered fiercely, "Griffin! Who gave you permission to take matters into your own hands, playing the 'execute now, report later' game with me?"
Griffin grinned mischievously and responded, "Calm down, Mom. All right, I promise I won't do it again next time."
"Next time, next time—you always say next time. You never discuss anything with me. Do you think that's all it takes to be a mom?"
"I swear, it won't happen again. Please spare me this time, Mom," Griffin pleaded earnestly.
"Fine, we'll settle this at home. Later, I'll figure out a way to get you out of here."
When Darian finished his call and returned, Cecily immediately straightened up and acted as if nothing had happened.
Griffin was even more professional, continuing to eat calmly without showing any sign of disturbance.
Darian glanced at the two of them, seemingly oblivious to their exchange, and resumed eating as normal.
The meal proceeded in an inexplicably harmonious atmosphere until the servant wheeled in Ophelia. Having seen Darian hurriedly leave the hospital, Ophelia sensed something must have arisen.
Upon her arrival, she saw that Rowan, the little product of an affair, had actually come back. Her mind filled with questions, 'Hadn't Cecily sent him away? Why was he back again?'
She just knew Cecily, that devious woman, had thoughts of using the child to worm her way back into Darian's life.
As Ophelia looked at them, appearing like a contented family, she felt a surge of rage building within her. She was resolute in her intention to bring Cecily to her knees. It seemed she needed to hasten her plans, or else she would have no standing in the Fitzgerald household.
"Darian, Rowan, you're back too?" Ophelia called out to her servant to wheel her over as she spotted Rowan. She feigned surprise and delight upon seeing him. Then, her gaze shifted toward Cecily. "Ms. Cecily, you're here as well. I owe you an apology," she said.
"I indeed overstepped today. I should not have interfered with the division of your assets, and I also spoke out of turn. I'm truly sorry."
Cecily didn't for a second believe Ophelia had seen the error of her ways and genuinely wanted to apologize. It was more likely a tactical retreat.
Not wanting to say much, Cecily simply replied, "It's fine."
"Does that mean Ms. Cecily forgives me? That is wonderful." Ophelia's smile was full of joy as she gleamed at Darian.
Griffin glanced at his mom, wondering since when was his mom so easygoing.
"There's nothing to forgive. You pretend, I play along, and we move on. I just can't be bothered to hold a grudge," Cecily added.
As Griffin heard his mom's words, which sounded more typical of her, he inwardly hummed in agreement.
Ophelia strained a smile, managing to hide her distaste. "I am sincerely apologizing. It's good of Ms. Cecily not to take offense.
"Ms. Cecily, there are some matters I'd like to discuss with Darian alone. Are you heading out? If so, I could have the driver take you home."
Cecily felt like Ophelia was posing as the hostess trying to shoo her away. However, she was not bothered by it as she didn't want to stay anyway. Cecily replied, "No need, I have my own car."
Ophelia smiled gently and said, "Then, please drive safely, Ms. Cecily."
Cecily stealthily winked at Griffin, who caught on quickly and announced, "Dad, I'm heading to my room."
Darian scanned both of them but didn't stop their departure.
Cecily left the Fitzgerald family home yet didn't go far; instead, she circled the mansion. There, she found the kid peering out the window.
"Mom, I'm here."
Cecily rushed over, making sure they were alone, opened her arms to the child and whispered with a soft urgency, "Be careful, I'll catch you."
Griffin had already made an appearance at Silver Frost Capital, using the identity of Rowan. Therefore, Darian would no longer pursue the real Rowan, and there was no need for Griffin to continue staying with the Fitzgerald family. It was time for him to go home with his mom.
"Do you guys need a ladder?" someone joked.
"There's no need for a ladder for such a short distance..."
Cecily almost stumbled as she turned around and locked eyes with Darian's dark gaze.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
