Chapter 376 Playing Favorites?
Fiona didn't join her studio colleagues for dinner. Instead, she headed straight home. When she entered the house, she noticed that Darwin's shoes were not in the foyer.
"Hey, you're back?" Burl, who had been engrossed in a video game in the living room, stood up and asked with surprise.
Charles was also in the living room. Setting his book aside, he walked over to Fiona. "Mom, are you done with work?"
"Yeah! It's a complete victory!" Fiona nodded vigorously, looking around. "Where’s your sister and Dad?"
"They're out," Charles replied. "Dad mentioned something about a surprise for her. They've been gone for quite a while."
"A surprise?" Fiona's brows furrowed slightly, then she turned to Charles with an air of indignation. "Is he still playing favorites? I'll have to give him a talking-to later for only spoiling her."
Charles didn't really mind. He was happy when his sister was treated well. But hearing Fiona standing up for him made his day.
"You’re too obvious, Charles. If you started ignoring him like your sister does, he'd have to please both of you, wouldn't he? The squeaky wheel that gets the grease," Burl lectured, though in his usual nonsensical fashion.
Fiona glared at him. "Don't lead my son astray!"
"No way," Charles shook his head, a faint smile on his face.
Fiona kissed his forehead lovingly, then pulled out her phone to call Darwin. It was almost noon.
Surely he wouldn’t have only taken Chicago out for lunch while neglecting Charles?
The phone rang only once before he picked up. It was so quick that Fiona was momentarily taken aback.
"Honey, what's up?" came Darwin's voice from the other end, smooth as ever.
"I just got home and didn’t see you or Chicago," said Fiona.
Darwin explained the situation with Jessie, their Golden Retriever.
"Text me the address. I'll head over now."
After disconnecting the call, Charles asked with a hint of anxiety, "Is something wrong with Chicago? Is she okay?"
"She’s fine," Fiona said. "You know Jessie, right? The Golden Retriever she always talks about?"
Charles nodded.
"She’s been poisoned. She’s at the vet." Fiona's brow furrowed with concern.
Charles' expression tightened. "Are you going there now? Take me with you!"
"But the vet will be full of animals..."
"I'll wait in the car," Charles interjected quickly.
When she heard that, Fiona couldn't say no. She worried he might get bored waiting alone in the car, so she invited Burl, who was hooked on video games, to tag along.
"Weren't we just horsing around near our apartment building yesterday afternoon? The dog looked so healthy and robust, shining coat and all. How did she suddenly get poisoned?" Burl mused aloud as they drove. His face grew stern. "It better not be some sociopath poisoning pets in the neighborhood or the local park."
"If a depraved person like that really does exist, I swear I'll drag them out into the light and see that they face justice," Fiona said firmly, her voice heavy with barely concealed anger.
Soon, they pulled up to the hospital entrance.
Before getting out, Fiona made Burl promise to keep Charles in the car. "Stay put, kiddo. Don’t worry about your little sister, I’ll bring her out soon."
"Don't sweat it, sis. I'll keep my eyes peeled," Burl assured her, patting his chest.
Fiona nodded then stepped out of the car.
Darwin was already at the entrance waiting. When he saw Fiona, he approached her quickly.
"How's the pup doing?" Fiona asked.
"She's stable for now. If she makes it through the next couple of days, she should pull through," Darwin replied.
Nodding, Fiona followed Darwin inside.
Since Thalassa arrived, Chicago had spent her time curled up in Thalassa's arms, distraught, except for the occasional check on Jessie.
P"Sweetheart," called Fiona as she entered the room.
Chicago seemed startled, then pursed her lips and didn't budge, sadness written all over her gaze.
Fiona rarely saw Chicago so upset. Her heart twisted with sympathy, and she approached quickly. "Why is your little nose all red from crying?"
Chicago launched herself from her godmother's embrace into Fiona's arms. "Mommy, Jessie is so sad."
"I know, honey," Fiona soothed, patting her back and nestling her cheek against her daughter's head. "Are you hungry? Your brother brought your favorite snacks. They’re in the car outside."
Chicago looked listless. She didn't want snacks, but she wanted to see her brother. She went to say hello to Jessie.
Fiona felt both heartache and anger as she saw the once beautiful Golden Retriever looking so weak.
A short while later, Chicago stood outside the car, keeping her distance from Charles.
"Come here, it’s okay," Charles called out.
Shaking her head, Chicago replied, " Jessie will be fine. Godmother said Dad's like Superman, that even the grim reaper would have to bow to him. He's going to make her well. Don't worry."
Fiona glanced at Thalassa. "Did you tell her that?"
Thalassa touched her nose sheepishly. "What was I supposed to do? She was crying her eyes out. It broke my heart. I had to shift the pressure onto Mr. Solomon."
Fiona threw a glance at Darwin. “She was just saying that to comfort her, and you played along?”
Darwin nodded.
“You two are something else. What if Jessie doesn't pull through?” Fiona whispered, anxiety edging her voice.
Thalassa just shrugged as if to say that it wouldn't be her mess to deal with.
Darwin remained calm. “That's not going to happen.”
Fiona just stared blankly before shaking her head in resignation.
Turning back, she saw Charles unbuckling his seat belt, stepping out of the car, and moving swiftly to his sister to embrace her.
“Charles!” Fiona cried out in surprise.
She hurried over and tried to pull them apart.
But Charles wouldn't let go and looked at Fiona. “I took an antihistamine.”
Fiona was even more baffled. “Why didn't you tell me that? You know you can't just take any medication without supervision, right?”
“Mommy,” Charles said with a firmer tone than usual, fixing his gaze on Fiona, “Chicago is really upset right now. Can we talk about this later?”
It seemed to many people that their parents favored his sister more, but even though he was only five, Charles knew that wasn’t the case.
Whenever he was ill, his sister had to give up what she liked. Her needs were always put on hold.
Like right now.
What harm could a hug do?
Would it kill him? No.
And if it wouldn't kill him, why couldn't he give his sister the hug she needed?
Charles didn't normally speak to Fiona this way.
She was taken aback.
"Hey..." At that moment, the choked-up voice of his sister Chicago piped up, "You shouldn't be mean to Mommy..."
"It's okay," Charles replied softly, letting go of Chicago and pulling out a chocolate bar from his pocket. "Here, eat this."
Chicago sniffled.
She looked up at Charles, unable to hold back her question. "Jessie won't die, right, Charles?"
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