Chapter 24
Darwin held Fiona in his arms. It felt surreal, as if they were in another world.
"Mr. Darwin." Her hesitance gave way to the exhaustion she felt, and she didn't resist him.
"Hmm..." Darwin buried his head in her neck, making a nonverbal gesture of acknowledgment to her calling him. It felt like something was slowly tearing Fiona's heart apart.
"I'm tired. I just want to live a peaceful and ordinary life. Please let me go." There was no hysteria or angry outburst, but just a calm request to him. Darwin instinctively tightened his grasp around her waist.
"I'm not Ms. Lilian," Fiona continued, "The things you like about me are all an act. But I'm tired already. I don't want to be Ms. Lilian's substitute anymore. I want to be myself again."
"Stop talking. Weren't you going to rest?" Darwin freed one hand and gently covered Fiona's mouth. "Sleep!"
Fiona couldn’t understand Darwin’s thoughts. He didn’t loved her and had found a new replacement, so why was he still bothering her? Was she too good of a substitute in the past that he couldn’t let her go? Fiona laughed at herself. While she was lost in thoughts, she fell into a deep sleep.
Perhaps she was too tired, or maybe it was the death threat at noon that scared her a little.
She had a nightmare. Well, it wasn't really a nightmare. In the dream, she went back to the day of her grandmother's cremation. A few neighbors came by and they were scattered around the place.
On that day, she was wearing a black dress with a small white flower on her head. After her grandmother's death, she didn't feel much and did not shed a single tear. Those years, her grandmother was continually tormented by illness.
They spent a lot of money for her treatment, but it only prolonged her suffering. She thought her grandmother had been liberated on that day. But when her grandmother was about to be pushed into the cremation chamber, the feeling of separation and farewell suddenly overwhelmed her like an avalanche. Fearful, she wanted to snatch her grandmother back.
Crying neighbors pulled her away, and she knelt outside, enveloped in immense fear.
"Grandma… Grandma… Grandma!” Fiona cried out.
"Fiona..." A familiar voice called out to her, and she abruptly opened her eyes.
"Did you have a nightmare?" Darwin's face slowly came into focus. Fiona's breathing hadn't calmed down yet; she tried to take deep breaths and slowly focused on the present.
"Are you okay?" Darwin looked worried, gently wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes.
Fiona shifted her gaze and shook her head, saying, "I'm fine."
Darwin wanted to say something more when the doorbell rang.
Fiona nudged Darwin. "Move aside."
Darwin didn't budge but pressed her back down. "Who is it? Your new boyfriend?"
Fiona had no words.
The doorbell continued to ring, and it was getting annoying.
"Darwin, hurry up and move!"
Before Fiona could lose her temper. Darwin lowered his head and bit down on her neck.
"Are you crazy?" Fiona pushed him away. Now, he was easy to push.
"Go and open the door."
"You lunatic!" Fiona pulled down her hair, using it to cover the newly formed hickey on her neck, and got out of bed from the other side.
She opened the door. Indeed, it was Harold who was starting to get anxious.
"Fiona, were you asleep? I called you but couldn't get through, and when I rang the doorbell, you didn't respond. You scared me!"
"I was asleep. Do you need something?"
"Princess, look at the time. It's time for dinner. I noticed that you didn’t eat much during lunch. Was it because the taste didn’t suit your preference? Let’s go for something light later for dinner.”
Before Fiona could refuse his offer, his gaze went past her and landed on something behind her.
Fiona was speechless, not knowing what to say.
In no time, a coat was draped over her shoulders. Darwin's tone was displeased, like he was her boyfriend who was concerned about her getting a cold from wearing too little clothing. "You're not even wearing a coat."
"Why are you here?" Harold asked in shock.
Darwin didn't even look at him but raised his hand and tidied Fiona's long hair that was under her coat.
"I'm her man. Is it strange for me to be here?"
"Darwin!" Fiona and Harold exclaimed almost simultaneously. Just then, Harold's gaze fell on Fiona's neck. Her skin was fair, and a slight touch would easily make it turn red. Darwin knew well the strength of his touches.
Harold looked at that hint of redness which seemed to sting his eyes. Even though he was naive, he was still an adult. How could he not know what a hickey was?
Fiona noticed Harold's gaze. She also realized that she had fallen for Darwin's trap but it might be for the best; perhaps Harold would give up on her. She didn't want to waste time on these matters any longer.
But little did she knew, Harold reacted in an entirely different way.
"You bastard! You forced yourself onto her!” Harold cursed and raised his fist, charging toward Darwin.
On the other hand, Fiona was completely bewildered by Harold's thought process. Before she could stop him, Harold was already pressed against the wall by Darwin, who was holding him by the arm.
"Harold, did no one ever teach you not to steal someone else’s woman?”
"Darwin, stop it!" Fiona approached them, wanting to pull Darwin away.
"Look carefully, can this kind of person do anything for you? Can he protect you?" Darwin pressed down on Harold with force. Harold's face immediately turned pale. He must be in great pain.
"Darwin, that's enough!"
Seeing that Fiona seemed really upset, Darwin let go and pushed Harold out of the door.
"Mr. Harold, this is my first and last warning to you. Fiona is mine. Anyone who dares to covet her, I'll make them wish they were dead!"
Fiona was completely shocked. ‘Does this asshole even know what it means to be over, to be done with someone?’
"Harold..." Fiona wanted to go check on Harold. Darwin pinched her nape and pulled her back, slamming the door shut with a bang.
"Darwin!" Fiona was still full of anger, but before she could curse, Darwin kissed her fiercely. Fiona wanted to bite back. Having learned his lesson, Darwin held her jaw tightly so she was forced to open her mouth where Darwin intruded aggressively, conquering her territory.
In the end, when Fiona's face was so hot that it felt like it was melting, only then did Darwin end this intrusive and overpowering kiss. He was panting as well.
When he caressed Fiona's cheeks, they were so close that their noses almost touched. His gaze roamed her pretty eyes like a predator hunting its prey. He stared into Fiona's captivating eyes, which had turned teary. Her face was slightly pale from lack of oxygen, but her ears were red.
Her lips were swollen too, and it had been so long since he last saw her in this state. Finally, for a moment, he saw the familiar her from before. The version that belonged only to him.
"So beautiful." Darwin glanced down, then gently kissed her lips. At this moment, Fiona snapped back to reality and immediately pushed him away as she took a few steps back. She was about to open the door to check on Harold's condition when he started, "If he sees you like this, won't he be even more distressed?"
Darwin's voice was like a devil's whisper, tingling with mockery.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
