Chapter 322 Mutual Destruction
Darwin's cool fingertips gently wiped away the tears sliding down her cheeks. He spoke quietly with his eyes turned away, "The issue with the genetic defect isn't your fault."
Fiona pursed her lips tightly, then opened her arms and wrapped them around Darwin's waist.
Darwin froze in place.
"Just for a moment. Let me hold you for fifteen seconds..." Fiona's muffled sobs pressed against him as she spoke.
Darwin remained silent, still.
After hugging Darwin, Fiona's suppressed cries turned into faint weeping, tugging at his heart.
He suddenly wondered, 'Was this the first time she was genuinely displaying vulnerability?' In the past, as his stand-in, her vulnerabilities were feigned around him.
Later, vulnerabilities were coerced by his own threats. But what about now?
Was it really the fear for Charles' condition that made her genuinely feel lost and frightened?
Darwin had to admit it might be. He never really got her.
After what felt like an eternity, which could have been just fifteen seconds or more, Fiona let go of her hold. She lifted her head, seemingly less distraught, and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Stay with Charles for a bit, will you? I should get ready for the compatibility test soon.”
“Sure,” Darwin responded.
Fiona cast another glance at Charles, bent down to kiss his forehead, and tenderly touched his face before she stood up and left the hospital room.
Darwin remained still until the door closed behind her, and then he turned around for a moment.
Outside in the corridor, only Janna was present. All the others were not around.
"Chicago went to grab lunch for you and Darwin," Janna said, looking at her.
Fiona, her eyes clearly showing signs of crying, wore an expression that seemed surprisingly composed. She walked over and sat down next to Janna.
“You should skip the press conference this evening. Get someone else to go in your stead; you have the compatibility test,” Janna suggested.
Fiona grabbed a carton of milk from the table, tore off the top, and chugged it down without a straw. Shaking her head, she firmly said, “No need. I'll go. Only I can.”
“What do you mean?” Janna frowned in confusion.
“I'm taking a gamble,” Fiona replied gravely, squeezing the empty milk carton in her hand.
“A gamble?” Janna’s face was a picture of bewilderment. “On what?”
“I’m betting that Darwin doesn't hate me as much as it seems,” Fiona explained slowly.
Winning this bet could mean that, at least temporarily, a major chunk of the troubles ahead could be sliced away.
Janna had orchestrated numerous global headlines in her life, yet she was conflicted about Fiona’s situation.
Sure, going head-to-head with Darwin wasn't impossible, but… it just didn't sit right with her.
Darwin’s assets, the Rhoads family fortune—weren't these meant for Charles and Chicago?
An all-out battle would surely end with both sides wounded. It would be a classic case of 'the bystander benefits,' inadvertently diminishing Charles and Chicago's future inheritance. It seemed ill-advised.
She had thought about having a heart-to-heart with Darwin later. If reasoning didn't work, she'd take more extreme steps.
“Three days,” Janna said, holding up three fingers. “If Darwin hasn't backed down by then, grandma won't be pulling any punches.”
“Got it,” Fiona agreed.
Chicago happily brought lunch when she returned. The small table in the break room felt even more cramped as people gathered around it. Everyone seemed to be weighed down by their own thoughts, except for Chicago, who was seemingly cheerful.
Chicago could sense the somber mood but believed it was her duty to lift everyone's spirits when they were down.
During lunch, Chicago engaged with everyone—serving Fiona food, teasing Janna into a smile, and, of course, making sure to include Darwin. Although Chicago was starting to feel uneasy about why Darwin could stay with her brother at the hospital for so long.
Wasn't Darwin supposed to be her friend?
"I'm done eating." Fiona had barely touched her food before setting down her fork. "Sweetie, finish up your plate, Mommy's going to lie down for a bit."
"Okay!"
Chicago watched Fiona with a look of concern.
Darwin followed her gaze, watching Fiona's retreating figure— she was so fragile.
So fragile...
After Fiona left, Chicago became quiet, focusing intently on her meal.
Seeing this, Janna couldn't help but praise, "You're doing so great today, crunching up the broccoli like a champ!"
Chicago swallowed her broccoli, took a big gulp of water, and said, "Chicago's not going to make Mommy worry more. Broccoli's not scary at all!"
With that declaration, she stabbed another piece, bravely stuffed it into her mouth, chewed twice, and swallowed quickly.
Darwin watched her. His eyes were inexplicably sore.
"Our little Chicago is Mommy's angel," Janna said, patting her small head. "Mommy couldn't live without you."
"How could Mommy ever be without Chicago?" She spoke earnestly. "Didn't Grandma Rhoads say that Chicago doesn't have to get married off? That I could just bring a handsome young guy home, and I'll always be by Mommy's side!"
Janna glanced at Darwin.
His gaze was lowered, his expression unreadable.
"You're such a good girl," Janna said fondly, tapping Chicago's nose.
Afterward, Chicago diligently finished all the food on her plate and even had Janna take a picture to show Fiona.
Later, Fiona woke up from a light sleep. When she got up, she was informed that it was time to get the tissue typing done.
"Darwin, are you coming with Mommy?" asked Chicago, holding Darwin's hand with a soft voice. "I heard they’ll be taking a lot of blood."
Darwin looked at Fiona.
"No..." Fiona began.
"Sure," Darwin replied tenderly to Chicago.
Fiona held back what she was about to say. The two went in silence to the blood draw station.
"Those veins are quite fine; we'll have to search carefully," the nurse said, tapping Fiona's slender arm.
It took a while to find a vein and insert the needle.
Darwin stood by, his face tensed.
As blood filled the tube, the nurse glanced up at him and couldn't help but laugh, "Look how worried your husband gets..."
Fiona paused for a moment.
The nurse efficiently finished up the blood draw, pulling out the needle with a practiced ease that made the quick sting barely noticeable.
"Hold pressure for three to five minutes," she advised.
"Thank you," Fiona replied. Her attempt to clarify that Darwin wasn't her husband was interrupted by a sharp jolt of pain.
While Fiona pressed down on the puncture site, Darwin wordlessly picked up her belongings and walked toward the exit. She hesitated for a moment before following him.
They walked silently until Darwin's cell phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and answered with a stoic, "Speak."
"Mr. Solomon, the Rhoads family is calling for a press briefing at six-thirty this evening to discuss today's timetable," the voice on the other end paused briefly before adding, " Miss Rhoads will be there herself."
Darwin stopped abruptly, turning to look at Fiona trailing behind him with a slow gait.
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