Chapter 474 I Won't Let You Go Through Childbirth Again
Darwin froze.
“But, since it's not easy for me to get pregnant, we should try natural conception and IVF together,” Fiona continued.
She had gone through it all in her mind beforehand.
“Hold on.” Darwin snapped back to reality, frowning. “Is this because of Charles?”
“Yes.” Fiona nodded.
Darwin was silent for a moment before saying, “I’ve seen your birth report.”
Fiona frowned involuntarily. “Who gave that to you?”
Darwin didn’t answer, instead, he said sternly, “You hemorrhaged severely during delivery and nearly lost your uterus.”
Having conducted thorough research, Darwin was well aware of the potential risks involved if Fiona were to undergo another episode of amniotic fluid embolism during pregnancy.
Considering the dire consequences such an event could entail, Darwin found solace in the fact that Janna possessed the financial means to address any medical emergencies that might arise.
Without such resources at their disposal, the situation could have been far more precarious for Fiona.
“I won’t let you go through childbirth again,” Darwin stated with unwavering conviction.
He had thought about having kids with Fiona too.
However, after reading that report, Darwin couldn't entertain the thought any longer.
“Our priority is to save Charles,” Fiona tried to persuade him. “Last time was an accident.”
“Fiona, there’s no room for discussion!” Darwin's stance was firmer than ever.
During this period, Darwin found himself unusually compliant and yielding to Fiona's wishes, a stark departure from his usual demeanor.
This shift in behavior marked a return to a more pliant and accommodating version of himself, a departure from the more assertive and self-assured persona he had exhibited in recent times.
"Darwin, don't be so stubborn. Saving Charles is what's critical right now," Fiona said gently, trying to persuade Darwin further. "You saw his condition tonight too. We can't just sit around and do nothing."
"I'll figure something out."
"What can you possibly think of? Everyone who could have been a match already got tested!" Fiona's patience was running thin. "Can you stop being so stubborn?"
Darwin just looked at her. He had intended to keep this a secret from Fiona.
"I have an older brother," he said gravely.
"A brother?"
"Yes, my biological mother's son," Darwin explained evenly. "I was going to seek her out, but unfortunately, she and her child died in a tsunami years ago. However, she has another son here, and I've already had him brought in to be tested for compatibility. We should have the results soon."
Fiona was stunned.
Darwin had sought out his biological mother.
"So, don't make any decisions just yet. Let's wait for the results of the test," Darwin said, caressing her cheek. "And the doctor told me that in six months, I can also be a donor. There are plenty of options; let's choose one that won't hurt you, okay?"
Tears welled up in Fiona's eyes as she looked at Darwin, nodding her head after a long moment.
"There's nothing to fear as long as I'm here. No one can take you and the kids away from me," Darwin reassured her with a gentle hug.
Fiona didn't speak but bit her lip as tears silently fell.
Late into the night, Chicago hadn't come out for food.
When Fiona composed herself and went back with Darwin, they found Chicago curled up beside her brother, hand in his, asleep with tear stains on her cheeks.
Fiona covered her with a small blanket and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.
"You should get some rest; you have a meeting tomorrow," Fiona whispered. "I can handle things here. You can't keep ignoring the company affairs, especially now with rumors going around that you want out."
Darwin muttered, "If I could, I really would quit."
"Stop it," Fiona scolded, eyes sharp.
"My office is just the same from here," Darwin assured as his hand gently rested on Fiona's back, soothing her with a few strokes, "If you send me back now, I wouldn't be able to sleep."
Fiona chose not to press the matter further, accepting Darwin's reluctance with a silent understanding. Thus, the expansive hospital bed, designed for solitary occupancy, now felt crowded as it accommodated a family of four.
The following day, Darwin woke up early, trying not to disturb his wife and kids as he tiptoed out, but Charles woke up.
After receiving several bags of IV glucose, Charles's complexion greatly improved.
Darwin carried him out effortlessly.
"How are you feeling?" Darwin asked.
"I'm alright." Charles nodded. "Are you heading to the office?"
"Yeah." It seemed Darwin anticipated what Charles would say next. He caressed his cheek. "I will tell the masters that Charles isn't feeling well today, so you won't be coming."
"Thanks." Charles nodded in gratitude.
Darwin looked at him intently. "Charles, don't be scared. I will definitely cure you."
"I believe you," Charles said earnestly.
Darwin was momentarily taken aback, then smiled. "Yeah, I won't let down your belief."
"You should get going. Work hard, so your sister doesn't think you're a bum," Charles joked, a rare moment of levity between them.
Darwin smiled helplessly. "Charles, I know you're well-behaved and don't want to worry anyone, but I still want to make a deal with you."
"Go ahead."
"Don't endure discomfort, not even a little," Darwin said with a touch of severity. "If you're worried about Mom getting scared, then come to me. Any discomfort, just shoot me a message."
Charles looked at him, his handsome eyes lacking their usual luster due to illness.
"Do you know? Yesterday when Mom saw me bleeding, she called your name immediately," Charles murmured.
Darwin nodded quickly. "I know."
"I've never liked you much," Charles continued, "but at that moment, I suddenly felt that you weren't so bad."
The fact that his mother could rely on him softened his perception of himself. It gave him a sense of purpose and value, mitigating any negative self-perceptions he might have harbored.
"I'll do even better," Darwin earnestly promised.
Charles nodded; his eyes slightly reddened by the emerging dawn light.
The father and son duo had just shared their first genuine conversation in their lives.
It was like completing a long-overdue ritual.
The distance between them dissolved in the early morning light.
Charles only stayed in the hospital for one day before going home in the evening.
In the following days, Darwin, honoring his arrangement with Fiona, took Charles and Chicago to the office daily. They didn't hinder Charles from continuing his lessons with the teachers.
However, Burl became the concerned uncle, strictly monitoring Charles's time in front of the computer.
When Fiona's studio wasn't busy, she would join them for lunch at Solomon's.
Time flew by quickly, and on the sixth day after Charles's discharge, Fiona left RH Company, ready to head to Solomon.
"Susan is just too badass. I'm totally in awe—like, completely bowled over!" Laura had just witnessed Susan's masterful maneuver and couldn't stop raving about it.
Fiona smiled.
Then, she noticed a man standing not far away, staring at her.
When Fiona looked over, the man suddenly flashed her a smile.
Fiona inexplicably felt a chill run down her spine.
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