Chapter 313 Setting the Record Straight for Mom
"You shouldn't bring strangers home without asking Mom first," he said, looking at Chicago with an unprecedented seriousness in his gaze.
Chicago shrank back, feeling helpless.
Charles turned his eyes to Darwin. "Sir, our parents aren't home right now, and while I appreciate your intention to visit, please leave."
"Big brother..." Chicago was utterly confused by his brother's demeanor.
Darwin could feel the hostility radiating from Charles.
Why would he dislike me? What has he been told? Could it be... that incident?
Darwin found himself struggling to breathe. "Charles, I'd like to talk to you."
Charles regarded him closely, then seemed to understand something. He wasn't here under the guise of being Chicago's Darwin… he might…
"You know everything?" Charles asked, frowning.
Darwin nodded. "I do, and that's why we need to talk."
Charles' expression hardened."Sorry, I have nothing to say to you. Please leave immediately!"
His tone was now more adamant. He glanced at Chicago, then turned and went back into the hospital room.
Chicago was bewildered.
When she regained her composure, she turned to Darwin. "Darwin, my brother's been in a lot of pain today, so his mood is off. It's not about you, don't feel bad."
"I understand," Darwin replied with a nod.
Then Chicago took his hand, guiding him to sit down on the couch before retrieving a slice of cake from the mini-fridge. "Wait here for a moment, Darwin. I need to have a word with my brother."
Darwin felt a lump in his throat and nodded silently.
Chicago entered the hospital room.
Inside, she closed the door gently and slowly approached her brother.
"Big brother," she called out softly.
Charles, looking rather pale, took a moment before turning to Chicago. "You should've talked to Mom about this first."
He suspected that up until now, Mom hadn't told Darwin about his and his sister's existence.
As to why, Charles wasn't sure.
But he felt somehow that it would have been better for Mom to tell Darwin herself rather than letting Darwin find out on his own.
Chicago hung her head low. "There are some excellent doctors where Darwin is. I just wanted them to have a chance to look at you too, big brother…"
Charles' eyes flickered ever so slightly.
He had always had a soft spot for his sister, who he affectionately called Chicago, but today he had been unusually stern with her.
"Sis," Charles said, gripping her hand, "you’ve got to promise me, no matter how much you like hanging out with Darwin, our number one love is Mom."
"Of course!" Chicago replied without hesitation, "I eat a big meal every day and I’m growing taller just so I can help protect Mom!"
"Right," Charles nodded.
"Charlie, do you not like Darwin?" Chicago asked softly.
Charles hesitated for a moment, then averted his gaze. "I don't know."
"Is it possible to be unsure whether you like someone or not?" Chicago was surprised. As a child, her likes and dislikes were always clear-cut.
"It is," Charles murmured, "Has he left?"
Chicago shook her head.
Reflecting on the situation, Charles thought that it was a bit like the saying "you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs." He was too young to be dealing with this complicated illness. The affairs of adults seemed beyond his control.
Then he remembered, before he got sick, one evening, Mom had talked to him about Darwin. She had already decided to reconcile with Darwin, so perhaps it was best to let things take their natural course.
He always hoped that Mom would be a little happier.
"I’m getting tired, go out and play with him," Charles said quietly.
"I want to keep you company a bit longer," Chicago said, pressing Charles' palm. "Do you want some of the cupcakes? Mom said we could each have half!"
"I don’t much care for them; you eat it," Charles replied.
"Oh."
Chicago nodded.
Then Charles closed his eyes.
The bond of blood is indeed mysterious. Ever since he learned about his illness, he had felt uneasy. He knew that his condition was treatable, but it also had a high mortality rate.
Charles wasn't afraid of dying.
His fear was that if he died, his mom would be devastated with guilt and grief. Grandma was also getting on in years and her health had been declining. And his little sister...
They had been inseparable since their mother was pregnant with them. She was still so innocent. What if someone bullied her without him around to protect her?
But then, all these worries seemed to vanish suddenly.
Darwin was a capable man. If Charles died, he would take care of their mother and grandmother, and he would protect his sister.
After all, even before he knew Chicago was his daughter, he had adored her so much.
Perhaps it was this reassurance that allowed Charles to finally relax.
Before long, he drifted into a deep sleep.
Chicago lingered for a moment, treading ever so lightly before slipping out of the hospital room.
As she left, the cake in front of Darwin remained untouched. He was staring blankly at the half-finished sketch she had left behind.
"Darwin, what's wrong?" Chicago approached him, her voice laced with concern.
Darwin's complexion was a bit off. Chicago recalled Grandma Rhoads's words from that morning, "Have we offended some higher power? In less than a month, half of our family has ended up in the hospital."
"Just thinking," Darwin replied, extending his hand toward her.
Chicago placed her pale, delicate hand in his firm grasp.
Darwin held on carefully, "What did Charles say?"
"He didn't say much. He's exhausted and fell asleep," Chicago responded. "Darwin, why aren't you eating your cake?"
"I was waiting for you," Darwin admitted.
A smile instantly brightened Chicago’s face. She fetched the remaining piece from the fridge. Side by side, they sat eating mini cakes.
Darwin couldn't taste anything, as if it were the blandest of wafers, but Chicago was clearly enjoying herself, taking a bite from hers and then from his.
Whenever she was happy, she'd bob her head and sway, "Darwin, isn't it delicious?"
"Mhm," Darwin nodded.
Chicago beamed even brighter, then shared as if revealing a treasure, "You have no idea, but Dagmar has the best taste in food! Mom always says he has a 'golden tongue!'"
Darwin's grip faltered. He struggled to maintain composure, "Chicago, who's Dagmar?"
Pondering with a spoon in her mouth, Chicago explained, "Dagmar’s Mom’s brother, well, not by blood."
"Not your dad?" Darwin was visibly taken aback.
Surprised by his reaction, Chicago looked earnestly at Darwin, thinking he must've gotten the wrong story from somewhere.
"No," she replied with seriousness, "Although Grandma Rhoads always wanted Dagmar to be my dad, Mom wouldn't hear of it. Not even a little bit."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
