Chapter 516 Decision
Darwin bore more resemblance to the Solomon family features, but there was also a hint of his biological mother in him.
However, Steven’s kids were an enigma.
They both looked a lot like Darwin’s birth mother, and not at all like Steven.
A moment later, Fiona encountered Clarie.
Everything in the house remained as it was before.
Their belongings hadn’t been packed.
It seemed they were ready to leave at any moment.
Clarie’s complexion looked much healthier than before.
"Ms. Fiona, you didn't need to come all the way here for our moving," Clarie said, slightly embarrassed.
She had even avoided mealtime.
She couldn't make anything for Fiona eat.
"Clarie, I had a bit too much for dinner; would you join me for a walk?" Fiona asked softly.
Clarie was taken aback for a second, but then nodded in agreement.
"Look after the house, you two," Fiona said to Daren and Bettie.
Both were a bit stunned.
They looked at Clarie, and she nodded at them.
Darwin's house was in an excellent location, close to shopping districts and prestigious schools.
As night fell, it wasn’t as hot.
The neighborhood had thick trees, and moonlight scattered down, creating a serene atmosphere.
“Where do you plan on moving after you leave here?“ Fiona asked.
Clarie looked down. "Daren found a bungalow; it's a bit farther, but we can afford it."
"And after that? Once you're better, what's the plan?" Fiona continued. "You're not thinking of going back, are you?"
Clarie was taken aback.
She instinctively looked up at Fiona. "The kids need to go back to school..."
“Daren’s really burned bridges with Steven this time,“ Fiona said with a cold demeanor.
"Even though he's locked up now, there will come a day when he gets out. The second you go back, he will find you, and that means he'll find Daren and Bettie Baker. How do you think he'll treat them?"
Clarie’s face turned pale.
"Even if we take a giant step back and say he doesn't come after you, I've looked into the schools in your area. Even if Daren and Bettie top their classes, they won’t get into any prestigious schools," Fiona spoke bluntly. "With your financial situation, you couldn't afford to send them to any average schools either."
The worse the school, the pricier it becomes.
"I…" Clarie started, but her voice trailed off.
Over the years, Clarie had lost the sharp edges of the young woman who once dreamt of changing her fate through education. Life and hardship had worn her down, erasing the dreams of a grand future she once held.
"Do you know how many kids, even the top graduates, get beaten down by society once they leave school?" Fiona continued. "Daren is a boy, which makes his path somewhat easier, but have you thought about your daughter, Bettie?"
Tears immediately welled up in Clarie’s eyes.
"As a woman, you know the layers of chains society places on us, especially in deprived areas. And you know that being beautiful in such a place isn't a blessing."
Clarie stiffened as painful memories flashed through her mind – the agonizing days and the greedy gazes of men that had followed her over the years.
"Madam, please tell me what I should do?" The tears Clarie had been fighting back now streamed down her face unchecked.
Daren was so bright. Every day in class, she heard teachers praise him. Just today, one asked if he wanted to participate in a physics competition. She didn’t want her son, to be buried in obscurity in a fisherman's village.
She dreaded the thought of her daughter accidentally following in her footsteps.
"Stay here, never go back to that place that hurt you so terribly. You’ve always wanted to escape since you were little, haven't you?" Fiona's voice softened, coaxing her with kindness.
"But…" Clarie hesitated.
"Daren saved my Charles's life," Fiona cut in. "I am bound by emotion and duty to help you."
Fiona then pulled out a floor plan from her bag and handed it to Clarie.
"This community isn't in the center, but it has a subway and bus station right at the entrance. There's a large supermarket within a five-minute walk and a local market nearby," Fiona explained.
Clarie took the floor plan and looked at Fiona, puzzled. "Madam, I don't understand."
"I bought a mistress apartment in this neighborhood under your name," Fiona said.
"Good heavens!" Clarie exclaimed. "That can't be done, how can that be? We could rent a bungalow..."
"But I've already bought it, and it can't be returned," Fiona explained helplessly. "Besides, the house isn't a gift, I'll keep tabs. When Daren and Bettie grow up, they can pay me back."
"How can I accept this..." Clarie looked ashamed.
"It's all for the sake of your children," Fiona stated compassionately.
Clarie listened, eventually bursting into tears and nodding. "Thank you, Madam, thank you so much!"
"The place is fully furnished with everything you need. Pick a good day to move in," Fiona said softly. "You've struggled for so many years, and now that the kids are growing up, better days are ahead. Take good care of yourself."
Clarie nodded through her tears.
After making arrangements with Clarie, Fiona didn't go back upstairs; she went straight home.
When Clarie got home, Daren and Bettie saw her crying and immediately dropped what they were doing, rushing over anxiously, "Mom, what's wrong?"
"Why are you crying? Oh dear, the doctor mentioned you need to stay emotionally stable, what happened?" Daren paused, as if a thought struck him. "Did Steven come by?"
Upon hearing this, Bettie was instantly panic-stricken.
Clarie saw this and understood.
If she had hesitated before.
Now, at this moment, the reaction of the kids made her resolve crumble entirely.
"My darlings, we'll never have to go back to that place again, we'll never see Steven in our lifetime," Clarie said, choking up. "I'm sorry I didn't protect you better before."
Even if she was resisting.
Even if she fought Steven with all she had.
He wouldn't so shamelessly bully her children.
"Not going back? But the landlord mentioned we could only rent for six months," Daren pondered, then added, "No problem, I'll just work more jobs, earn more money, and find us another place."
"We've got a house now." Clarie raised her hand, showing the keys, address, and floor plan that Fiona had given he., "Ms. Fiona bought it for us, but we'll have to save up slowly to pay her back for it!"
Bettie took the floor plan in a daze.
Daren reacted after a moment.
"So, can Bettie and I take our high school exams here then?"
The thing he'd hate most about leaving Bay City was abandoning his education.
The teachers here were so much better than the ones at his old school. In just over a month, he had learned more than he had in the past decade.
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