Chapter 253 Withdrawing Solomon
Darwin had no clue about the sunny-side up egg story. Upon hearing it, his gaze immediately sought Fiona's.
Fiona was clutching her burger too tight.
"Oh, why bring that up, mother?" the daughter-in-law chided softly, "I'm sorry about this."
"It's fine," Fiona shook her head gently.
Seeing Granny distressed, she excused herself to rest.
Fiona stared at her burger, lost in thought.
She had never imagined it.
Her death had cast such a shadow, not only over her loved ones, but over those beyond her immediate circle.
“It’s okay.” Darwin soothed her gently.
Fiona cast another glance toward where the Hamburger Lady had disappeared and bowed her head to eat slowly.
If the Hamburger Lady was so affected...
What about Darwin?
She had never been fully convinced of Darwin's love for her. It always seemed to her that his treatment of her was nothing more than possessiveness.
Like an old belonging he didn’t want to discard, nor did he want anyone else to lay a finger on it.
But...
What if Darwin did love her?
Had the punishment she once gave him been too harsh?
Fiona had never considered these possibilities.
She finished her meal in silence.
They left the diner one after another.
“You go on up. I need to pick up the flowers I ordered,” Darwin said.
Fiona nodded. “Okay.”
After a moment's thought, Darwin, disregarding their surroundings, pulled her in for a hug and ruffled her hair. “Don’t be upset.”
He wasn’t the best at offering comfort.
“I got it.”
Fiona acknowledged softly.
Then, they went their separate ways.
Fiona climbed the stairs and used her fingerprint to unlock the door.
Last time, everything had been too chaotic for her to really look around.
Now, taking advantage of the fact that Darwin hadn’t returned yet, she leisurely surveyed her surroundings.
Much to her surprise, apart from the traces of wear, there was hardly any change.
The little decorations she had set up to guard.
Her habitual way of arranging things...
Fiona slowly looked around until she reached the firmly closed door of the study.
Hesitating for a moment, she pushed the door open.
The sight of the crib hit her first.
A sharp pain pierced Fiona’s heart as the memory of writing a letter from the baby to its father by that very crib came vividly to mind.
She stepped inside.
The room was spotless, just as she had left it.
Fiona gently caressed the crib. Later, when Charles and Chicago were born, she had obsessively purchased a similar one.
However, Charles and Chicago didn’t take to it.
Once inside, even the usually quiet Chicago would burst into tears.
Ashton would prattle on daily, insisting that Charles and Chicago must have some sort of memory from the womb.
She must have been so lost in thought...
Fiona didn’t even hear the door open.
Not until Darwin stood at the doorway of the study.
When she turned and saw Darwin, she was taken aback.
In the next second.
Darwin strode towards her and wrapped her tightly in his arms.
“I’m sorry... I’m sorry...”
Fiona didn’t struggle.
She smiled faintly: “I didn’t ask what you felt when you saw all this, did I?”
Darwin closed his eyes tightly.
“Darwin, it didn’t have to end up like this,” Fiona said slowly.
"I know..." Darwin responded instantly.
Fiona fell silent.
Some things are meaningless when too often repeated.
"Let go, it's time to water the plants." Fiona nudged him.
After a moment of silence, Darwin released his embrace.
Fiona then left the study.
Glancing at the crib, Darwin seldom entered this room, and had forgotten to remove it to spare Fiona the heartache.
Fiona didn't have to look for it.
The watering can was exactly where it always had been.
The plant food, too, in its familiar spot.
She filled the can with water, mixed in the plant food, and methodically watered the plants on the balcony.
"I'm no good with plants. The ones you had... I let them die. I just bought ones that looked similar." Darwin approached from behind, wrapping his arms around her and whispering.
"Knowing you can't care for them, you still let them suffer?" Fiona retorted, voiceless.
Darwin buried his face into her neck. "I wanted to keep it all just as it was when you were here."
Fiona remained quiet.
After she finished watering the flowers,
As usual, she cleaned the watering can and put it back in its place.
"I'm done here. I should go," said Fiona.
Darwin didn't want her to leave.
"I brought back so many flowers, but my hands..." Darwin held up his bandaged hand with a pitiful expression.
Fiona was speechless.
Shortly after,
She started arranging the bouquets and wherever she went, Darwin shadowed her.
With the last vase in hand, Fiona placed it on the living room coffee table.
The couch, though clean, was old and somewhat saggy.
"Do you spend much time here?" she asked.
"These past years, I've been staying here when in Bay City," Darwin replied, "I sleep on the couch."
She seemed to recall him mentioning
that he couldn't sleep well on that bed, that it caused him heartache.
Fiona sat down on the couch,
looking around.
Had it always been this small?
"What's up?" Darwin joined her.
"Nothing," Fiona said, lowering her eyelids, "Just wondering, if you're always staying here, where will you live when the kids come?"
Darwin paused.
Quickly, he said, "When the kids come, we won't stay here. What about Emerald Pool? That place I got you, decorated just how you like it, has been ready for a while now. The schools around Emerald Pool are excellent too... By the way, we'll need to hire more staff; once we're done taking care of grandma's matters, I'll personally pick them out."
Fiona gazed at him, slightly dazed.
Darwin, anxious too?
"Right, we don't have a kids' room in Emerald Pool. Tell me her preferences, and I'll get to it right away!"
"Can you calm down a bit?"
Fiona felt a mix of resignation and frustration.
"Alright, I'm calm. So what's her favorite color? Pink? Blue?" she asked, endeavoring to keep the peace.
"She has a great personality, very opinionated. Whatever she likes, if that day ever comes, figure it out by talking to her," Fiona spoke slowly, her words measured.
Darwin responded with unwavering confidence, "That day will definitely come!"
Fiona didn't bite and began to rise, "I should get going, gotta pack."
"Just a little longer!" Darwin pleaded, clutching at her hand with a look of puppy-dog eyes, "You haven't told me how long you'll be gone. Did you buy a return ticket?"
"If I land the RH Company project, I'll be back in two or three days. If not, well, it’s up in the air," Fiona replied calmly. "Mr. Solomon, why don't you just pull out of the competition?"
Darwin wrapped his arms around her waist and shook his head, "I don't think so."
Silence fell between them, Fiona acknowledging his unshakable rationality.
"There's no need for Solomon to back down. You’ve got the RH Company project in the bag," Darwin boasted, without a hint of self-awareness befitting a CEO.
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