Chapter 294 The Villain Turns Out to Be My Father
Burl ran off swiftly.
Fiona sat on Burl's chair: “Was your uncle talking to you about Darwin's misdeeds?”
"Not exactly bad mouthing, he was just telling me about things Darwin had done," Charles said, eyes downcast. "It was Darwin who caused the damage to Dagmar's hand."
Darwin had been ruthless at the time.
Dagmar's hand hadn't fully recovered.
Like when he tried to hold a scalpel, his hand would uncontrollably shake, and he couldn't lift heavy objects.
Every now and then, his wrist would lose strength unexpectedly.
Charles was aware of it.
He had always believed that a villain had harmed Dagmar.
Now, that villain turned out to be his and his sister's father.
Fiona didn't want to make excuses for Darwin, she simply said softly, "He’s indeed done something terribly wrong."
Charles didn't respond.
Fiona raised her hand, gently touching his cheek.
Charles seemed much better today.
"Have you had a nosebleed today?" Knowing Charles wanted to move on from the topic of Darwin, Fiona didn't press further.
Time stretched on.
She was certain that if Darwin's love was true, the rift between father and son would heal over time.
"Nope." Charles shook his head, "Mom, don't worry. I'll be fine if I just lay off the fried chicken."
"You can treat yourself to a little now and then," Fiona said, her voice aching with compassion.
Charles had always been frail since childhood, with a long list of dietary restrictions.
He was more sensible than many adults, steadfastly abstaining from anything he was told to avoid.
"Are you headed back to the hospital?" Charles asked.
"Yeah," Fiona nodded gently, "There's still some swelling in his brain that hasn't subsided. I can't help but worry."
"I understand. I'll take good care of my little sister and great-grandma," he promised.
"And take good care of yourself, too," Fiona said with tenderness. "It’s just for a couple of days, and then I’ll schedule your check-up and come get you."
The prospect of seeing his mom again in a few days visibly lifted Charles's spirits.
"Buddy, don't let your thoughts run wild about your dad for now. Meet him first, then form your own opinion, okay?" Fiona spoke softly.
"Got it," Charles reluctantly agreed.
"You're such a great son!" Fiona kissed Charles on the forehead, leaving him with a resigned expression—though he made no rush to see her off.
Fiona stayed in the study with Charles for a while until a call from the hospital broke the quiet. After all, she was still supposed to be admitted and couldn't be away for too long.
When she was leaving the house, Charles couldn’t even bring himself to chat with Darwin. Tears welled up as he watched Fiona get into the car.
"Be good, eat well, and don't stay up too late. Remember us and come home soon," Charles said, voice trembling.
"I will," Fiona reassured him, planting a kiss on his cheek. Stuart then lifted him away.
Arriving back at the hospital, the car had barely stopped when someone opened the door from outside.
Fiona looked at the person with surprise. "Mr. Solomon, full of energy, I see. Ready to be discharged?"
Darwin grinned like an ecstatic kid.
Once Fiona stepped out, the car drove off, and Darwin casually took her hand. "Did the little guy get his checkup?"
She shook her head, "Dagmar dropped by, so we couldn't make it.”
The smile on Darwin's face faltered slightly. "Dagmar?"
"Yes." Fiona gave him a meaningful look. "Darwin, remember this—our debt to Dagmar is lifelong."
"Understood," he replied solemnly.
Upon reaching the floor of the hospital ward, the nurse on duty beamed at the sight of Fiona. "Miss Rhoads, you're back! Mr. Solomon's been beside himself without you."
Fiona's ears turned crimson at the mention of Darwin's name.
Her knee injury hadn't fully healed, making a brisk walk back to her room a challenge. Once she closed the door behind her, intent on asking Darwin what kind of mischief he'd been up to, she was met with his embrace and a sudden kiss.
It had been days of constant closeness with Fiona, and Darwin found the abrupt separation unbearable, even if it was less than a day. Restlessness consumed him; he often wandered outside, hoping his wife might surprise him with an early return. The longing felt endless until she finally did.
And now that she was back, why wouldn't Darwin make the most of it, savoring every moment?
Fiona, dizzy from the fierceness of the kiss, dared not to push too hard against Darwin, afraid to reopen his wounds. It took a while for Darwin to finally stop, seemingly satisfied, as Fiona's eyes remained red and her gaze distant. Lazily, he straightened her clothes and stole soft kisses now and then.
"You look so beautiful like this," Darwin murmured, pressing his lips to hers deeply once more.
Fiona nudged his cheek gently, "I've been like this many times before, why didn't you find it appealing then?"
There were those persistent memories of his first love.
"I was obsessed even then," Darwin cooed, cradling Fiona in his arms. "It was ignorance... only later did I realize, from very early on, I was already so deep that no one else could compare."
"Even someone who looked just like me?"
"Even then," Darwin confirmed, kissing her neck and behind the ears, "It was never about the looks, you know."
Fiona couldn't tell if he was being truthful, but did it matter? Sweet nothings were always preferred to cold indifference.
"The doctor said my recovery is going well," Darwin clung to her like a shadow. "I can't wait to be discharged, to go home and cook for you."
"We have at least another two weeks." Fiona stroked Darwin's head. "I'll be out in a few days."
He looked up at her with a pitiful gaze. 'Are you going to leave me here alone?'
Fiona couldn't help but laugh softly at his act, "Darwin, cut the sad puppy eyes. I need to follow up with the RH Company project as soon as it kicks off; I can't stay with you forever."
In the past, Darwin wouldn't have cared about any project.
Once, during important talks with a client, Darwin inexplicably demanded Fiona fly back immediately to Bay City. Despite the project's significance, Fiona tried to brush it off, but Darwin flew out and whisked her back to Bay City himself. It nearly ruined the entire deal.
But now?
Darwin was fuming inside, the irritation boiling over from his thoughts of bringing RH Company to its knees.
He was hesitant.
"At least when work's over, you've got to come," he insisted.
"We'll see," Fiona replied. "After work, I need to head home for dinner with the kids."
"Fiona!" Darwin sat up abruptly, "Work! The kids! What about me?"
Startled by his outburst, Fiona couldn't help but laugh at Darwin's dramatic flair. "Didn't I say it depends?"
"I'm not hearing it!" Darwin frowned, "Kids get the even days, odd days are mine!"
After stating his piece, Darwin added timidly, lacking confidence.
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