Chapter 320 Janna's Veiled Criticisms
"Chelsea!" Stuart rushed forward, his voice steeped in urgency.
"I'm okay, just low blood sugar."
Stuart quickly fished out a piece of candy from his pocket.
Fiona peeled off the wrapper and popped it into her mouth. "Did you find out anything about Darwin's condition?"
Stuart bristled at the mention of that. Just a while back, he'd been on pretty good terms with Darwin's few bodyguards.
But those traitors were now all smiling in his face.
Yesterday, when Darwin coughed up blood, they were right there witnessing everything. And yet today, they pretended as if they hadn't seen a thing, feigning ignorance.
"I got nothing. People close to Darwin are tight-lipped, like they've glued their mouths shut," Stuart responded, feeling deflated. "I thought with all that blood he'd surely be gone by this morning, but the guy shows up as if nothing's amiss, aiming to be disliked as ever."
"With that amount of blood, it's a miracle he made it through the night. Quit dreaming of such an outcome," Fiona said, getting up after feeling better. "Janna should be here soon. Why don't you go wait downstairs?"
"Okay."
Fiona stepped back outside the hospital room, took a deep breath to regain her composure and gentleness, and then pushed the door open.
Chicago had already started painting.
Darwin was at her side, following her directions and organizing the paint supplies. The usually decisive Mr. Solomon seemed a bit clumsy.
"Did mommy eat well?" Chicago looked up at Fiona, concern marked by Thalassa’s question.
"Yes!" Fiona nodded, patting her stomach, "I ate very well."
"The brother said he was tired and went to rest. Chicago and Darwin talked in very low voices, didn't disturb him," Chicago made an earnest effort, seeming keen on making a good impression of Darwin for her mom.
"Good." Fiona nodded. "You keep painting, and I'll go check on your brother."
"Okay~" With a soft nod, Chicago watched her mother walk into the room.
Once the door was closed, the smile vanished from Chicago's face. She hung her head low and let out a small sigh.
"What's wrong?" Darwin asked.
"Chicago's too little, can't help mommy enough," she whispered. "She's so tired, worried about brother, can't sleep, keeps forgetting to eat…"
Darwin's grip tightened involuntarily.
"Darwin, would life be easier for Mommy if she had a partner?" Chicago’s beautiful eyes brimmed with restrained tears as she looked at Darwin.
Those words struck Darwin deeply. He reached out and wrapped her in his embrace.
"Chicago, you're already doing so well," Darwin said, his voice shaking.
Chicago said no more, simply sobbing softly on Darwin's shoulder.
Ever since my brother fell ill, Chicago had been on an emotional roller coaster.
One minute he was all smiles, and the next, just thinking about something would plunge him into despair.
In the hospital room.
Charles wasn't actually asleep.
He had started his medication today, and the side effects hit him hard.
Charles was tough for his age; still, he was a kid, and the discomfort was evident on his face despite his best efforts to hide it.
"Son, how about a hug from Mommy?" Fiona asked gently, holding Charles's hand.
Charles wasn't one to ask for hugs often.
But now, he nodded his head.
Fiona cradled Charles in her arms, gently patting his back. "We just have to hang in there a bit longer. Once we find a marrow donor and get through the transplant, it’ll all get better."
"Mommy, there'll still be lots of medicine after the surgery," said Charles, his voice weak as he lay his head on Fiona's shoulder.
"We'll get through it," Fiona affirmed with certainty.
Charles, with his eyes closed, felt the truth in those psychological theories: whether it was physical or emotional, being in his mother's arms brought immense healing.
Right then, it seemed the pain was less unbearable.
"Mommy, things between you and him don't look right," Charles mustered the strength to speak after a while. "Did he cause the trouble at the company?"
"Sweetheart, adult matters are complicated..."
"So, he did it," Charles cut through the excuses he disliked hearing Fiona make for that man. "Why? I thought you two made up?"
With a self-deprecating chuckle, Fiona continued to pat his back. "Well, not anymore... Mommy's no good at keeping things steady with him."
"No!" Charles was emphatic. "He's the one at fault!"
"Such a fierce defender, huh?" Fiona asked with a smile.
"Yeah, my dad could be anyone you choose, but my mom can only be you," Charles said, patting Fiona’s back in turn. "My sister and I will protect you. Don't be afraid. No one can take us away from you."
A sharp pang of emotion hit Fiona.
She held Charles even tighter.
It was about time.
Chicago's voice called out for "Grandma Rhoads" from outside.
"Grandma Rhoads is here," Fiona mentioned.
Charles shifted, and Fiona set him down.
Mother and son headed out, one after the other.
Janna's presence today was formidable, not one to be trifled with.
"What’s with the dark circles under your eyes?" she demanded, setting down her platinum purse. "Another sleepless night?"
"I caught a little sleep," replied Fiona.
"You have matching tests this afternoon. I've told you to rest properly. I’ll handle the mess at the company. Why are you fussing about it?" Janna was fuming.
It sounded like they were laying into Fiona.
But in fact, every scathing word was aimed at Darwin.
Translated, it was like: "You good-for-nothing, have you even looked at the clock? My granddaughter is run ragged taking care of a sick child and going through donor matching, while you never lift a finger to help. Instead, you're out there causing her more trouble!"
"I'll take Charles for the rest of his tests, then I'll catch up on some sleep," Fiona resignedly said.
"Hey you," Janna said, glancing at Darwin, "stop whittling the time away with your sketching. Charles has tests to go through, and you're going to join him, experience what it's really like. Otherwise, you might mistakenly believe that, all these years, my precious granddaughter has been living the high life where you can't see."
Darwin was at a loss for words.
In front of the child, he chose to be obedient: "Got it."
A short while later, Charles, Darwin, and Fiona left the hospital room together.
Once outside, Fiona intended to carry Charles.
But Charles took the initiative: "Uncle Darwin, I'm weak from the medicine; can you carry me?"
"Charles, let Mom..." Fiona began.
Before she could finish, Darwin had already lifted Charles into his arms.
Charles was significantly slimmer than Chicago.
Holding him, Darwin couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness, instinctively tightening his embrace.
Fiona watched, an inexplicable sorrow welling up inside her.
This was the first time Charles had been held by his father.
"When it's time for the tests, if it hurts or you feel uncomfortable, don't tough it out. Tell Mommy," Fiona straightened Charles's collar and gently instructed.
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