Chapter 227 The Second Child Is On The Way!
Fiona had to admit, she was a bit baffled when she opened the photo.
For the years she'd known Ashton, joking was his forte—constantly talking about sweeping this hot guy off his feet or making that one cry in his arms. But Chris had been his only serious thing.
And Fiona was still wrapping her head around the Ashton-and-Chris chapter. Now here was Ashton, arm in arm with another handsome guy, heading to Mrs. Solomon's funeral?
After a moment’s thought, she dialed Ashton's number.
The call went unanswered, but shortly after hanging up, a callback came.
"Hey, what's up?" Ashton gasped, out of breath.
Fiona pictured Ashton, excusing himself from a crowd, and finding a secluded corner to return her call.
"Just checking in, almost done with the project. Free for lunch?" she asked casually.
"Can't today, how about tomorrow?" Ashton hesitated.
"Something came up?" Fiona asked nonchalantly.
"Yeah, something," Ashton's response was evasive.
"Alright, go do your thing," Fiona said before ending the call.
Ashton let out a huge sigh of relief.
Today had been a bit much—secretly marrying behind Fiona's back and then attending Grandma Darwin's funeral with his surprise spouse.
Just thinking about breaking each piece of news to Fiona was enough to make her shudder.
"Who was that? You looked terrified," a voice came from behind.
Ashton turned, slouching. "The Grim Reaper."
Kenny frowned. "The Shaws?"
"Of course not!" Ashton quickly retorted, his brow furrowing without him realizing.
"Why the frown?" Kenny, lean as he was, gently nudged Ashton's forehead with his fingertip.
Ashton felt the warmth of his touch and was somewhat sheepish.
"I, uh…" Ashton paused, then looked up, his eyes gleaming, "I've got this really good friend, more like family, you know? I want you to meet her."
"Sure, when?" Kenny agreed without a second thought.
For Ashton to want him to meet someone so significant meant everything to him.
"Let's do it tomorrow! Better to rip the band-aid off fast than to wait," Ashton thought to himself.
"Dinner?" Kenny pulled out his phone. "What does your friend like to eat? I'll pick the restaurant."
Ashton rattled off Fiona's likes and dislikes, not missing a beat. Kenny listened with growing unease.
Mrs. Walker had a thorough understanding of this person's preferences, reciting them as naturally as breathing.
"Got it, I'll take care of it." Kenny noted everything and pocketed his phone. "Let's go inside."
"Okay!"
As Ashton began to walk ahead, he realized Kenny wasn't following. Turning around, he saw Kenny gesturing towards his own arm.
Ashton, still not accustomed to playing the wife, smacked her forehead in realization and looped her arm through Kenny's. With a satisfied smile, Kenny walked his wife back, unaware of the worries clouding her mind about the upcoming confrontation with Kenny and Fiona tomorrow night.
In the meantime, Ashton's fierce best friend had already left the studio, hurrying towards them. Darwin knew exactly how to bait her, and despite knowing it was a trap, she had no choice but to bite.
Fiona was worried Darwin might take out his frustration on Ashton, setting up a scheme to harm her.
Twenty minutes later, Fiona arrived at her destination. Someone was already waiting for her at the parking lot entrance. Masked and sporting sunglasses, she was discreetly escorted to her personal parking spot. Once parked, she saw Darwin waiting by the elevator.
It might have been her imagination, but Darwin seemed to have lost weight. His gaunt appearance was undeniable.
Removing her sunglasses and striding forward in her heels, Fiona asked, "Where's Ashton?"
Silently, Darwin pinned a white cloth to her arm.
"What is this?" Fiona, having organized funeral services three times, recognized the mourning band meant for close relatives.
"Since you're here, let's say it's for Grandma," whispered Darwin, his voice raspy from lack of rest.
"Ashton? Where is she?" Fiona didn't remove the band, insisting on her question.
"Upstairs," replied Darwin.
"If you dare harm Ashton Carey, I will make you pay," Fiona warned sternly.
Darwin just looked at her, pitifully so.
"When have I ever truly hurt your friends?" he asked.
A surge of anger flickered in Fiona's eyes.
"Was Dagmar's injury the work of a dog?"
"He's different!" Darwin's gaze darkened, but then something else seemed to cross his mind. "Do we have to argue at my grandmother's memorial service?"
They locked eyes for a moment. Fiona, done with the exchange, headed straight for the elevator.
Fiona stepped out into the world dressed in the solemnity of black, her mind heavy with the knowledge that today she was to bid farewell to an old soul. It seemed like some cosmic serendipity that she found herself donned in mourning attire.
She had, despite everything, made it to the service.
Stepping out of the elevator, she was greeted by the imposing portrait of Mrs. Solomon erected by the entrance. Fiona paused before it, momentarily caught by the fierce gaze of the woman in the image—Mrs. Solomon, ever the formidable presence.
"Mr. Solomon, it's almost time. The viewing is about to commence," a funeral attendant hurried over to say.
"Alright."
Darwin's response was punctuated by the solemn ambiance.
Fiona meant to inquire about Ashton's whereabouts when suddenly, a large hand enveloped her right hand. Startled, she turned to Darwin, only to be drawn by him towards the area designated for family acknowledgments.
"Darwin, what are you doing?! This place is swarming with guests! Are you out of your mind?" Fiona hissed, trying to wriggle free from his grip.
"Exactly, the place is swarming with guests. You wouldn't want to cause a scene at your grandmother's viewing, now would you?" Darwin whispered back fiercely, without a trace of yielding.
Fiona was silent for a moment before pinching the palm of his hand hard. "You're despicable," she accused.
"Mhm," Darwin acknowledged, his demeanor unrepentant.
In the situation at hand, what choice did he have but to be despicable?
Five years had passed. She'd married, had a daughter. If he were to maintain the gentlemanly façade, by next year, she might well be expecting a second child.
So, despicable it was.
He was intent on weaving an inescapable web around her, ensuring she could not flee.
And so it began, the final goodbye.
Fiona stood shoulder to shoulder with Darwin in the family's area of gratitude. Initially, the mourners thought the woman beside Darwin was Lilian. Upon closer inspection, however, their shock was palpable as they realized it was not Lilian after all. The white mourning armband she shared with Darwin marked them unmistakably as husband and wife...
Guests came in waves, each departing with a mix of expressions etched on their curious faces.
Until the moment this particular couple approached...
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