Chapter 353 The Slow Simmer
"If you make one more nonsensical remark, I'm sending you back to school tomorrow!" Fiona glared at him.
Undeterred, Burl retorted with a whine, "Summer break is almost here anyway. If you send me back, I'll just come running home!"
Fiona shook her head in resignation.
Just then, she spotted Darwin loading two hefty bags of junk food into the shopping cart.
She picked them out and discarded them without hesitation.
"Charles, your sister’s already over the limit, she can’t have any more of that," Fiona explained to Charles helplessly.
"She hasn't had any for a while," Charles responded, as he tried to negotiate with Fiona. "Just one pack?"
"If you get this, you can’t get any desserts. It's your choice," Fiona said, opening her arms wide in a gesture that left the choice up to Charles.
With a resigned sigh, Charles said, "We'll go for the dessert then."
"Good choice." Fiona gave Charles a thumbs-up, silently acknowledging his budding maturity. She kept Charles and Darwin under her watchful eye at all times to prevent any more impromptu shopping escapades.
She stopped arguing with Burl. Her focus was now glued to the father-son duo. Charles and Darwin exchanged a knowing glance, radiating a shared sense of resignation.
After picking out desserts, Fiona couldn't resist sneaking a few snacks into the mix, bringing the shopping trip to a close.
Outside the grocery store, Darwin lifted Charles down from his perch. He juggled the bags in one hand and reached out to grasp Charles' hand, leading him toward the parked car. Fiona and Burl followed behind at their own pace.
"When did Darwin and Charles patch things up?" Burl asked, his voice laced with surprise.
Fiona's gaze softened as she mused, "They've always been close. They just hadn't... really met before, you know?"
"Hmph!" Burl grunted, dissatisfaction etched across his face.
Fiona playfully tapped the back of his head, scolding, "Will you drop the grudge against your brother-in-law? Darwin's not as easygoing as Kenny. If you push him too far, he might whisk you away and sell you off!"
Burl's eyes widened in mock horror. "He's in that kind of business?"
Fiona deadpanned, "With your smarts and tech skills, there's a whole bunch of gangs in Southeast Asia dying to have you. He could score some points by gifting you to them."
Burl was silent and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
As they got in the car, Burl, who had previously claimed the passenger seat, quickly scooted to the back, claiming, "That seat's too stiff. Mind if we swap, sis?"
Darwin was just strapping Charles into his car seat and looked puzzled at Burl's standoffish behavior. Burl ignored him, staring defiantly out the window.
Fiona couldn't help but laugh. She didn't mind the seat swap and swiftly secured herself in the passenger seat.
After everyone was buckled in, Darwin drove the car toward Fiona's home, which was a short drive away.
As Darwin parked the car, Fiona undid her seatbelt and turned to him. "Chicago might not be expecting you. I'll go ahead and let her know you're here. If she's not up for it, you can’t stay for dinner."
P
Darwin was quiet, then said softly. "Tell her that day was an accident. I didn't mean to be harsh, and it won't happen again."
"I already told her," Fiona replied.
Darwin's eyes betrayed a hint of panic. "So what should I do?"
Fiona wasn’t used to seeing him like this. She arched an eyebrow. "You just have to take it slow. What else can you do? It's your own fault for losing your temper, right?"
Darwin didn't respond.
In the back seat, Burl and Charles watched the unfolding drama with an array of expressions, munching away on their snacks like an audience to a soap opera.
Suppressing her amusement, Fiona stepped out of the car and into the familiarity of home.
The staff was already bustling in the kitchen, putting together what smelled like a classic American lunch. Janna and Thalassa, faces still puffy from their earlier tears, sat silently at the dining room table.
"Where's Charles?" Thalassa called out, eyes scanning the room.
"He’s in the car, waiting for his dad to unbuckle him," she answered, glancing between the living room and the dining area. "And where's Chicago?"
"Holed up in her room, drawing." Thalassa paused and added, "Since Charles was coming back, I had to take Kenny's chubby cat back home. Chicago wasn't too pleased."
Fiona sighed, a hint of resignation in her voice. "I need to check if she's okay with Darwin staying for lunch."
"Sure."
Fiona ascended the staircase with sprightly steps. She tapped gently at the studio door. "Honey, Mommy's back."
After some rustling sounds from inside, Chicago flung the door open. "Mommy! You're finally back! I missed you so much! Where's Charles?"
She hugged Fiona quickly then scampered off in search of Charles.
"He's still in the car with Dad," Fiona said tenderly.
Chicago paused, then said, "Oh, I need to get back to my drawing."
Fiona wanted to say something else, but Chicago had already shut the door and locked it from inside. Fiona stood there helplessly.
She knocked again, softly. "Daddy brought you your favorite Swiss roll, you know. He's had a long day. Can he stay for lunch?"
She was met with silence. Fiona knew what that meant.
"I understand, sweetheart. I'll tell him to go." Fiona's voice lingered before she took a couple of steps away.
But then the lock clicked, and the door swung back open.
"Mommy, that's rude!" Chicago said, her face reddening with seriousness.
Fiona feigned surprise. "How is that rude? This is your home, and if you don’t like someone, I wouldn't dream of inviting them in, let alone for lunch."
Chicago's frown deepened.
Sensing the moment, Fiona tactfully offered an out. "But Darwin’s had such a long day. He took care of your brother's discharge and got you treats... maybe we could make an exception and allow the courtesy of lunch? It would be good manners."
"Okay!"
It was as if a great weight had lifted off Chicago's small shoulders. The door closed again, and the sounds of her returning to her unfinished artwork filled the room, mingling faintly with the hum of a tune.
Fiona smiled softly and headed back downstairs. Meanwhile, Burl had already entered the house with Charles and the shopping spoils of the day.
Darwin remained outside.
"I just feel like something’s off about him," Burl muttered, his nails between his teeth, anxiety etched into every feature. "Why had Darwin been so good and quiet? I told him not to come in, and he just stayed out there like a well-behaved kid! Wasn't he trying to bring down the entire Rhoads family not too long ago?"
Burl paused as another thought seemed to strike him, his tone turning indignant as he spoke to Thalassa. "Speaking of ruining us, my thesis got kicked back by my advisor. I have to redo it next semester. Do you think Darwin had something to do with it? I mean, it wasn't great, but it wasn't that bad!"
Thalassa, who was popping seedless grapes into her mouth, shook her head with a mixture of helplessness and sympathy. "Poor guy. He has two brothers-in-law and it's driving him mad."
"I'll go get him. You can ask him yourself," Fiona said as she pushed the door open and stepped out.
Darwin heard the door open. He turned and took a couple of steps forward, "Did Chicago want to see me?"
Fiona shook her head.
Instantly, Darwin's expression fell, "I see..."
"But," Fiona continued, "she agreed to have you stay for lunch."
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