After finishing the proposal framework, Fiona had no time to rest so she headed straight to the kitchen. She prepared their favorite breakfasts for Charles and Chicago. Once breakfast was ready, Charles, looking sharp, came downstairs. Fiona already missed him before they even parted.
"I'll wrap up work as soon as possible," Fiona said, her eyes filled with pitiful reluctance as she touched Charles's forehead. Charles caressed her cheek, which looked somewhat pale and haggard from the all-nighter, and then gently stroked the dark circles under her eyes. "Mommy, did you stay up all night?"Fiona nodded and said, "The proposal wasn't coming along, but then I had a breakthrough, and before I knew it, it was already this late.""Don't overdo it," Charles said softly. "Staying up all night can make you sick."He didn't like it when Mommy got sick. He had been extremely scared and worried the last time she was ill, fearing he might lose her."I know," Fiona replied ten"What's wrong?" Alice frowned slightly, instinctively glancing at Chris with a nervous look."What, are you so preoccupied with your grandmother that you don't even care to inquire about the person she injured?" Ashton asked."Is the injured person someone you know, Ashton?" Alice inquired."Yes! The injured person is my own grandmother!" Ashton replied."Go and see to your grandmother. I'll handle things here," Chris told Alice.After a moment of silence, Alice said, "Ashton, we're soon to be family, and I believe we should speak frankly to each other. I feel guilty about your grandmother's injury, but have you sought to understand the circumstances of what happened?""Circumstances?" Fiona chuckled, "Tell me, what are these 'circumstances'?""My grandmother was a teacher back in the day and has always been very gentle. She never hurt anyone, even when she was ill. How could she have hurt your grandmother without any reason?" Alice asked.Ashton expl
"Our family matters are none of your business," Chris sensed the hostility this man had towards him and the possessiveness towards Ashton.Ashton was beautiful, and there was never a shortage of suitors around her.Chris had seen those who brought roses to woo Ashton.He would be upset but never felt threatened.Until now.Looking at the young man before him, for the first time, an unspeakable fear and irritation rose in his heart.Family matters?Ashton grew even more discontented.When had she and Alice become a family?Her grandmother was injured, so why did it suddenly seem like a private family issue?Ashton's anger surged to her head."Chris, there's no family issue between us," Ashton said, instinctively clutching Kenny's wrist, "Let's go!"Kenny's eyes showed a flicker of emotion.His gaze dropped and settled on the hand that had grabbed his wrist."Ashton, stop making a scene!" Chris grabbed Ashton's arm forcefully.
"Grandma, once you're settled with the hospital transfer, I'll come to visit you," Kenny said gently."Alright," Grandma Carey was looking at Kenny with great satisfaction.With his good looks, gentle demeanor, and a decent family background, he would make an excellent husband, provided his character was without fault.Ashton, in a frantic rush, escorted Kenny out of the ward."There's no need," stopped in his tracks."Okay, Kenny, thanks for today," Ashton said with a professional smile still on her face.Kenny gave her a look, his gaze enigmatic, "You're welcome. Have you decided what the treat is?"Ashton was taken aback.In the next instant, she remembered that she had, in passing, mentioned she would treat Kenny to a meal."What would Kenny like to eat?" Ashton asked, with a smiling face.Internally, however, she was panicking.Something was off with this Kenny.Definitely off!"Anything really…" Kenny said and nodded with a s
Until Ashton got into the car, Chris stood still, trying to process what had just been said."What did she mean by that?""Chris, I hope you remember what Ashton just said," Fiona said as she closed the car door, and before heading to the passenger seat, she looked back at Chris, "You know I have ways of leaving you with nothing.""Violence is one thing, but threats too?" Alice was fuming."We're even, aren't we? You attacked someone, covered it up, and then lied about it. How does that make you any better?" Fiona paused, "Though do you and your spouse really think that what's deleted is gone forever?"Alice was stunned.Fiona glanced at them both and then got into the car.The car quickly drove away.Coming back to her senses, Alice tenderly touched Chris's cheek, "Does it hurt? Your sister is too much. No matter what, you're innocent. Why did she have to be physical with you?"Chris looked at Alice.For a brief moment, Alice thought she saw
It wasn't the first time Fiona had thought about visiting Mrs. Solomon.After all, during those years, Mrs. Solomon had been one of the few who genuinely cared for her.Now, as Mrs. Solomon reached the end of her life and still thought of her, it was only right, both emotionally and morally, for Fiona to make this visit.She had even gotten hold of the hospital room number.She crossed a corridor overgrown with green vines, turned right, took the elevator to the 8th floor, where Mrs. Solomon was the sole patient.The elevator doors opened.As Fiona stepped out, she saw medical staff rushing out of the office.She felt a momentary shock.Suddenly, she had an ominous feeling, remembering how on the day her grandmother had passed, the staff had hurried in the same panic.Instinctively, she quickened her pace, following behind the medical personnel.After the staff dashed into the room, Fiona's steps came to an abrupt halt.A pale Darwin emerg
The tears Fiona had been holding back finally broke free, rolling down into the cold palm of Mrs. Solomon's hand."Don't worry, I'll make sure to eat well from now on!" Fiona said through tears, maintaining her gentle smile.Mrs. Solomon's breathing became labored as she nodded with difficulty, "Good... good...""Do you remember telling me about the black sand beach? I went there to see the stars. It was beautiful. There was even a meteor shower that night, but I forgot to make a wish."Mrs. Solomon looked at her, her eyes filled with tenderness. For the past seven or eight years, she had been mostly confused. But on the rare occasions she was lucid, she understood all too well how much her grandson had troubled this beautiful young woman."Fiona..." She breathed faintly, "I didn't raise Darwin right, and it caused you so much distress..."Mrs. Solomon was gasping for air."Mrs. Solomon!" Fiona exclaimed in shock.But Mrs. Solomon clung to the ha
Darwin massaged his temples."Ah, just filled the tank when I got in the car.""Which building are you in? I can drop you off downstairs.""Building 2," Darwin replied.Fiona started the car, pretended to search for direction, then steered the wheel toward Building 2.Building 2.The building she had lived in for five years was also Building 2. She prayed he wouldn't tell her that he'd been living there all these years. The media even captured Darwin and Lilian emerging from a villa at Emerald Pool. Paparazzi. Exceptionally good at framing a shot. That day, the garden was bursting with life under the brilliant sunshine, making the couple in the photo look as sweet as fairy tale characters.All of a sudden, a strong urge surged in Fiona's heart. Whatever Darwin's reasons were for bringing her here, she wanted to go up and see for herself and expose whatever game he was playing, see through his clumsy attempt.But... reason overruled this childish and p
Fiona's thoughts were in disarray. Somehow, she and Darwin ended up tangled together on the master bedroom's bed. It wasn't until he started to unbutton her blouse that she snapped back to reality."Stop!!" Fiona fought desperately.But Darwin, who had feigned weakness just moments before, deployed his considerable strength now, easily overpowering Fiona's desperate resistance.Her blouse was swiftly undone, exposing her to his gaze. Darwin's advances halted abruptly, however, when he saw a faint scar across her lower abdomen—a scar reminiscent of one he had seen in his childhood on Anniston, who had explained to him that it was left by the C-section that brought him into the world."Get off me!" Fiona lashed out fiercely, her foot meeting Darwin's chest.Thrown off by the force of her kick, Darwin tumbled off the bed, his head hitting the wall with a thud."Oh my God!" Fiona gasped, startled by the noise.The back of the head was particularly vulnerable.