Chapter 203 Bloodline
Darwin was more like a seed planted in Chicago's heart, likely to grow into the tree of the child's longing for a father.
"Stop thinking about it," Ashton said, taking away the tablet from her hands, "Did you know that Darwin gave Chicago a cell phone?"
Fiona nodded and responded, "Her Grandma Janna took it away."
"That's for the best," sighed Ashton. "As cruel as it may seem to Chicago, if she kept in contact with Darwin and it all came out, that would be the real cruelty towards you."
Fiona took a deep breath. "I'm going to help them pack."
"The cleaning service have got it covered, you don't need to worry about that," Ashton said.
Fiona didn't say anything and still went to the children's room.
Chicago was putting the small bag that Darwin bought for her into the suitcase. When she saw Fiona, though she was lost in her thoughts, she still called out, "Mommy."
"Chicago, I'll be done with work soon and will come to get you. You like Burl, don't you? How about we stay with Burl again, would that be okay?"
Chicago nodded, "Whatever you say."
Fiona's heart sank.
"Are you still mad?" Fiona asked softly.
Chicago suddenly clutched the small bag tightly. "Did I say something wrong? Isn't it 'whatever you say'?"
"Chicago, you can't talk to Mommy like that," Charles intervened.
Chicago turned her head away, not saying anything, but tears quickly welled up in her eyes.
Fiona felt powerless.
"Charles, please take good care of Chicago for me," Fiona said, patting Charles on the head.
Charles nodded.
Fiona then left the children's room.
The door to the studio was left ajar, the lights still on.
Fiona approached and pushed open the door, finding herself facing an unfinished oil painting.
The canvas depicted verdant grass and an azure sky, clouds pristine and white.
The wind stirred a towering tree.
Beside it, the silhouette of a family of four was captured.
A mother holding her son's hand, her daughter perched atop her shoulders, spreading her arms wide, her little braids lifted joyfully in the air.
The mother was dressed in a green skirt that she, like Chicago, held dear.
The father...
Chicago must have painted this. That figure was likely Darwin, wasn't it?
Fiona stood there, transfixed for a long moment, before finally looking away, turning off the light, and gently closing the door.
She descended the stairs with a heavy heart.
She once thought that as long as she gave Chicago and Charles plenty of love, the presence of a father wasn't important.
Besides, Dagmar was there for most of their crucial moments.
She believed she could fill the gap.
But she hadn't anticipated that after only a few meetings with Darwin, Chicago would develop such an intense yearning for a father.
"What's with that expression?" Janna asked Fiona upon seeing her come downstairs.
Fiona looked up at her, "Why are you still up?"
"I'm pondering whether to give this to Chicago," Janna pulled out a phone, the very one she had taken from Chicago, "She hardly spoke to me today."
"It was my negligence," Fiona sat down, her hands propping her forehead, "I should have been more careful. She shouldn't have met Darwin. I just didn't expect it to influence her this much. It was only a few times."
It wasn't just Chicago.
Even Darwin, who used to dislike children, seemed to transform into a different person when with Chicago. Gentle, affectionate, and considerate.
"Sometimes, the pull of blood relations is just like that," Janna mused, "The first time I met you, I inexplicably took a liking to you. After a couple of encounters, I ran off to buy you jewelry, wanting to lure you closer to mentor you, believing you were someone I could entrust the conglomerate to."
Thinking about it later, that must have been the attraction of kinship, right?
Fiona smiled bitterly.
"Darwin isn't a good man," Janna suddenly shifted tone.
"Are you worried about something?" Fiona laughed without a word. "If I wanted him, I wouldn't have fought so hard to escape back then."
"That's a relief," Janna muttered, "Compared to him, Dagmar may fall short in looks and family background, but in all other respects, he's better than Darwin."
"You're right. Dagmar is quite exceptional, so start looking out for a match for him," Fiona joked.
Janna huffed at her.
Just then, Ashton, changed into fresh clothes and with makeup applied, descended from upstairs.
"Another round of drinks?" Fiona asked, somewhat concerned.
Lately, Ashton had been drinking far too much.
"Yes, I was looking at a plot of land, and today I'll be discussing the deal," Ashton said without expression, "I've never seen people set up meetings so last minute."
"Be careful."
"Don't worry, I'm going to chat at my friend's restaurant," Ashton said as she put on her earrings, "Got to go, I'm running late!"
"Drive safely," Janna cautioned.
"Got it, grandma!" Ashton hurried to the garage, started the car, and sped off towards the restaurant.
Though it was called a restaurant, it resembled a bar more closely.
Ashton greeted a friend and headed straight for the private room. Opening the door, she found several people already seated inside.
"Sorry, I'm late," Ashton said, her face flushed with embarrassment.
A pleasant voice came from the main seat beside her, "You're not late. We came early."
Ashton looked over and paused for a moment. What had she just been saying at home? That youthful looks like Burl's were trending, right?
So why did she run into an exceptionally good-looking guy as soon as she stepped out?
The man sitting there still had a youthful air, but his face was indeed handsome. His hair appeared to have a natural curl, fluffy and soft, it was tempting to reach out and touch.
Ah that's right! Golden retriever!
He had the same kind of approachable quality as a golden retriever.
"And you are?" Ashton inquired.
"Kenny," the man replied, "The land you want to discuss, it's mine."
Did he even graduate from college yet?
"Hello, I'm Ashton," she introduced herself with ease and confidence.
Kenny gave her a look and a half-smile, "Indeed, very pretty."
Everyone immediately laughed.
Ashton took a seat opposite Kenny, "I just wonder if you could give me a discount for being pretty?"
"No hurry, Ashton," Kenny said with a smile, "Price is negotiable. Let's talk it over."
He really was like a golden retriever.
She really wanted to ruffle his hair!
The atmosphere at dinner was surprisingly good. Kenny was amiable, always speaking with a smile that brought warmth.
Importantly, his tolerance for alcohol seemed quite high. After several rounds, everyone was a bit tipsy, but he seemed as sober as ever.
They drank into the small hours. They agreed to check out the land the day after the next, and Ashton saw everyone off. Then, she stood by the roadside, her vision blurred as she gazed at the sparse stars.
She sighed deeply, clutching her chest and muttered to herself, "Chris, when will I stop thinking about you?"
Whether in solitude or amidst the crowd's hubbub, the longing never ceased.
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