Chapter 252 The Entanglement Continues
Darwin sat in the treatment room with Fiona sitting beside him, scrolling through messages on her phone, while a doctor attended to Darwin's wound.
"The wound's not too deep, but it's not superficial either. You'll have to watch your diet," the doctor advised after dressing the wound.
"Got it, thank you for your help," Fiona put away her phone and politely thanked the doctor.
Then they left the treatment room together.
Darwin's face was brimming with relief, "We really didn't have to come to the hospital for this."
Fiona didn't look at him.
Leading the way, she said over her shoulder, "I'm here to prevent someone from using their wounds as an excuse to get me to come back."
At that,
the joy visibly drained from Darwin's face.
"I would never do that," he murmured softly.
Fiona finally stopped and turned to look at him, "Mr. Solomon, you're becoming shamelessly unprincipled. Aren't you embarrassed to say such things?"
"Hungry?" Darwin stepped forward, taking Fiona's hand, "There's a restaurant nearby that I recall you liked. Shall we go eat?"
A nearby restaurant?
Fiona pondered.
She rarely ever dined out alone with Darwin.
Except for that one time.
That day, for reasons unknown, Darwin was in high spirits. After finishing some errands nearby, he spontaneously took Fiona to a restaurant.
The flavors of that restaurant have since faded from Fiona's memory. All that lingered was how incredibly delighted she had felt at the time. That evening, no matter what Darwin did, she went along with it enthusiastically, which had evidently made him happy too. Such moments were far too rare.
"Sure," Fiona responded nonchalantly, her voice void of anticipation.
Moments later, they reached their destination.
Only to find...
Fiona looked up at the bar in front of them and felt a twinge of sadness as she murmured, "It's closed."
Confusion and panic washed over Darwin for no apparent reason.
"Let's go somewhere else then. What would you like to eat?" he asked, his voice tinged with urgency.
Fiona thought for a moment.
"Is the place under the apartment still there?" she inquired.
"It's there!"
What Darwin didn't mention was that he had actually purchased a storefront for that very place, offering it rent-free to the elderly owner, hoping she’d continue her business there indefinitely.
"Let's eat there, then."
Fiona was at the wheel when she took a call from Janna Rhoads, just confirming when she would arrive. Mid-conversation, Janna suddenly asked, "Is Darwin still bothering you?"
Fiona glanced at Darwin sitting beside her. He returned her look with a puzzled expression.
"I'll handle it myself," she stated coolly.
There was a brief silence from Janna on the other end.
Then she spoke earnestly, "I've said this many times, and I'll say it again today. No matter who you choose, you're free to decide. As long as you're happy, Grandma Rhoads supports you. Nothing matters more than your happiness."
Fiona couldn't help but smile.
"I understand."
"The kids and I are waiting for you to come home."
"Alright."
The call ended.
Hesitating a bit, Darwin asked, "Grandma Rhoads doesn't like me much, does she?"
"Yeah," Fiona replied unhesitatingly, "strictly speaking, everyone who loves me doesn't really care for you."
Darwin fell silent.
"That won't stop you from coming back to me," he finally mustered to say, "I've changed."
Fiona gave him a look.
Indeed, Darwin had visibly changed. She could sense his anxiety, his unrest, as well as his fear and desperation.
Since reuniting, Darwin's behavior had been completely unexpected. He was heartbroken over the notion of her loss at every turn.
Knowing this, Fiona realized that she was still entangled with Darwin.
It wasn't what she wanted.
She just hoped that the entanglement of her feelings with Darwin's wouldn't cause further harm to the people she loved.
The car pulled up to the curb.
Fiona glanced at the sign, "Granny's Burgers," her eyes lighting up with surprise. "Granny's got her own joint now?"
Darwin didn't fish for credit.
He nodded, "The folks around here, they all love these burgers. Taste hasn't changed a bit, same as it always was."
Fiona gave him a look, "You've had it too?"
Darwin was never one for this kind of grub, always shied away from it. Didn't like her having it either.
"Of course!" Darwin replied with a conviction that brooked no argument.
"Mr. Darwin, is that you?" Granny spotted Darwin and bustled over with motherly warmth. "Hello, dear," Darwin greeted, gesturing to the woman by his side, "this is my wife."
"Goodness, come in, come in!" Granny beamed.
Her eyesight wasn't what it used to be these past few years. These days, it was her daughter-in-law flipping the burgers while Granny pitched in where she could. That's why she didn't recognize Fiona.
Granny hurried her daughter-in-law along to get cooking.
Seizing the chance, Fiona pinched Darwin's arm, "Who's your wife?"
Darwin chuckled and caught Fiona's hand in his own.
Fiona just stood there, wordless.
Soon enough, the burgers were ready.
Fiona took a bite; the familiar flavors enveloped her palate.
They say taste and smell can trigger the most powerful memories.
Fiona’s mind overflowed with recollections of the past.
"Is it good?" Granny asked.
"Mm-hmm! It's delicious," Fiona was generous with her praise.
"Well then! Mr. Darwin's been a great help to me, kept this place running. Mrs. Solomon, if you like it, make sure you come back often!" Granny said.
"Sure will," Fiona smiled in reply, then remembered, "Oh Granny, could I get a sunny-side up egg?"
Granny paused, taken aback.
The daughter-in-law hurried over, "I'm so sorry, dear guest, but we haven't served sunny-side up eggs in many years."
"Why's that?" Fiona asked, her curiosity piqued.
That sunny-side up egg, that was her creation for Granny to make at the old stall, and it was a hot seller.
"The girl who taught me to make sunny-side up eggs... she was in a plane crash. Gone... and I stopped making them," Granny’s eyes reddened, and she waved a feeble hand dismissively.
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