Chapter 470 Don’t Look Back
"No problem. I will give you the teachers' WhatsApp contacts later, so you'll be able to communicate with them more easily," Burl responded.
"I think it's about time for you to head back and prepare for the meeting, right?" Fiona glanced at Darwin, giving him a gentle nudge.
Although it had been a long time since he worked at Solomon, his way of handling things was still crystal clear to her.
For significant meetings laden with numerous pending issues like this one, Darwin typically allocated only an hour for lunch. However, more than an hour had passed now.
"Yes." Darwin nodded with a sense of resignation.
"Chicago, Charles, say goodbye to Dad," Fiona said, turning toward Charles and Chicago.
"Goodbye."
"Do your best!"
The siblings spoke up at the same time, one in a flat tone, the other full of vitality.
"I will be home after work, be good, okay?" Darwin said, his reluctance clear.
He preferred to share a meal with his family rather than facing his subordinates, who might initiate a quarrel at any moment.
Darwin, known for his workaholic tendencies, had experienced a profound transformation, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint when it had occurred.
Burl and Darwin left the restaurant.
Fiona and the kids took their time finishing the fruit dessert, waiting until the lunch crowd of busy office workers had dissipated before calling the driver to take the kids home.
After arriving home, Charles took his medicine and then went to his room to sleep.
Chicago, who had taken a nap in Darwin's office earlier in the morning, found herself wide awake in the afternoon. She decided to wrap up the drawing she had been diligently working on depicting Bunny's home.
She stared at the Bunny for a while.
Then she asked Fiona for her phone, took a picture, and sent it to Stuart.
Cradling the phone, she sent a cute, baby-voiced audio message, "Uncle Stuart, I finished drawing Bunny's home, and you'll see it when you come home."
Fiona watched on, growing anxious by the minute.
She had asked Wendy about it—lately, Chicago was mentioning Stuart more often than usual. It was as if she sensed something.
"Mommy!"
After sending the message, Chicago turned and handed the phone back to Fiona.
Snapping back to reality, Fiona smiled and took it. "Baby, do you want to go play with Jessie at your godmother's?"
Chicago immediately agreed.
As they arrived at the Kenny residence, Chicago was captivated by the sight of the garden's roses, which had bloomed overnight.
"Mommy, are those roses?" Chicago asked.
Fiona nodded. “Yes, they are.”
Under the slightly intense sun, Chicago's cheeks took on a rosy hue, adding a touch of warmth to her expression.
"I know what to draw for Uncle the designer's wife now!" She was thrilled beyond measure, abandoning her play with Jessie and turning to dash back home.
"Honey, slow down!"
Jessie had been gazing at Chicago from upstairs, delighting in the sight.
Suddenly, the Chicago charged back, swift as lightning.
Jessie was puzzled.
The plump cat beside her lazily lifted an eyelid, stretched, and seemed utterly unfazed.
In its silent contemplation, the proud feline contrasted its independence with the obedient nature of cats, believing itself to be the superior creature, deserving of humans' affection and attention.
Chicago burst into the art studio as soon as she got home.
Fiona, having skipped her workout routine for a while, chased after Chicago all the way home, ending up somewhat breathless.
She twisted open a bottle of water and guzzled it down just outside the studio door.
Then she cautioned Wendy, "Keep an eye on her. She ran all the way back, and we don’t want her getting heatstroke. I need to lie down for a bit..."
"Sure!" Wendy nodded.
As Fiona was about to leave, Wendy did something for the first time; she blocked her path.
Fiona looked at her, puzzled.
Wendy's mouth twitched, as if she was about to cry. "Fiona, did they say Stuart died?"
Fiona's gaze involuntarily flickered to the closed door of the studio.
"Not a word about that in front of Chicago. Not from anyone," Fiona warned sternly.
Wendy nodded rapidly, tears already spilling from her eyes, which she frantically wiped away. "So... is it true, then?"
Fiona knew Stuart had looked after Wendy for years.
She lowered her eyes and fell silent for a moment. "The car went over a cliff, and when they found it, only half the chassis was left. There was no sign of him."
Wendy slightly tilted her head, her voice choked, "I see... but there's still a fifty percent chance he's alive, right?"
Fiona didn't want to discuss the currents or the height of the cliffs.
She nodded.
As long as the body wasn't found, there was indeed a fifty percent chance Stuart was alive.
"That’s a relief," Wendy murmured, nodding to herself. "From today onward, I'll be vegetarian and pray every day. Ms. Chicago can't be without Stuart's protection. The divine must bring him back safely."
"Okay." Fiona patted her shoulder and turned to head downstairs.
At the junction of the living room and dining room stood a small cabinet, on top of which lay a large group photo featuring Stuart.
Fiona poured herself a glass of water, stood in front of the photo, and picked it up for a closer look.
Ever since Chicago was born, in every photo with her, Stuart was always there, standing protectively behind her.
Like a solid mountain, shielding the tiny Chicago.
If there truly were a divine power.
Then please, send down a miracle.
‘I'll spend my life doing good, sheltering and aiding those less fortunate.’ Fiona thought.
After a moment, she set the photo frame down.
Sitting on her couch, Fiona’s mind drifted to what Thalassa had mentioned the night before. She pulled out her phone and texted her on WhatsApp, "How's it going? No more trouble, I hope?"
Meanwhile, it was approaching four o'clock in the afternoon. Thalassa was still at the restaurant, the food on her table remained untouched and cold. She sat there, feeling empty-headed, her mind a blank slate. Pausing momentarily as Fiona's message appeared on her screen, she eventually decided to pick up her phone.
A sudden laugh escaped Thalassa. Her eyes lowered, and her slender shoulders trembled quietly. "No," she replied, as tears began to fall freely.
"That's good. I brought Charles and Chicago home. Are you coming home for dinner tonight?" Fiona inquired.
Thalassa's vision blurred with tears as she read the message. "I have to work late, won't make it."
"Make sure you eat something, or I'll tattle to Kenny!"
Thalassa couldn't help but break into a smile again. She glanced at the spot where Maria had sat, took a few tissues, and pressed them to her eyes. Over the years with the Shaw family, she had mastered the art of controlling her emotions quickly. When she said she wasn't upset, she wouldn't be upset. If she said no tears, there would be no tears.
Sometimes, Thalassa didn't even understand why she kept testing Maria by doing things that were hard to comprehend. Perhaps, it was to prove her mother's love. However, if her mother truly loved her, then, there was no need for her to prove it in the first place.
'Oh, Thalassa, what are you really thinking, and what do you truly want?' she wondered silently.
'Let it be now. You can't choose your biological family. Instead, hold tightly to the family you've chosen for yourself. Don't look back. No more tests.'
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