CHAPTER 524: RABBITS BETWEEN CARNIVORES (PART TWO)

Micah glanced at his family’s disappointed faces and dropped his head in shame. He had gone to Ramsy Empire acting all high and mighty, suggesting something like that, and then he had completely forgotten about them.

And that was not even the worst part. He hadn’t told Darcy about his plan to bring the Ramsy family here either. Darcy had every right to be angry and disappointed in him. He peeked at the dark-haired young man.

"Sorry... you were sick, burning up with a fever, and I..." Micah stammered, trying to justify his actions, but before he could finish, several voices overlapped.

"Sick?"

"When?"

"What fever?"

A chorus of questions erupted around the room.

Darcy’s expression darkened. He turned to Flora quickly. "It was nothing. Just a common cold," he said, trying to assure her.

"That’s why you didn’t come downstairs last week?" Flora asked, incredulous. She had completely thought the reason was something else. Her ears turned red in embarrassment. What kind of mother was she? Imagining her son’s hoarse voice was because of something indecent.

Darcy nodded once. "We thought it was better that way... worried you catch it."

"Oh, silly boys..." Flora replied, pressing a hand to her chest.

Ramsy family members shifted in their seats awkwardly. Elina exhaled sharply and turned her glare to Micah. "Couldn’t you tell us? Poor Darcy, being sick, and the only one who knew was you. How did he manage?"

"Mum! I’m not that useless. I took care of him just fine." Micah defended himself.

Darcy’s expression flickered for a second.

And the Ramsy family all caught it.

Their eyes turned toward Micah, full of disbelief and disappointment, not believing Micah’s words one bit.

"Son," Jacob said, voice patient but heavy, "you could’ve asked us for help. What if he got worse? What if you did accidentally harm him?"

Micah pouted. "But I did a good job! Why wouldn’t you believe me? Darcy, tell them!"

All eyes turned to Darcy. He leaned back in his chair, posture relaxed and calm. "Yes. He hired a carer for me," he said simply.

The Ramsy family members sighed in relief. "Oh! You should have told us sooner." Jacob said, smiling faintly.

"Yeah. For a second, I thought Darcy had to take care of you as well as keep an eye on you, fearing you would mess up while he was sick," Aria added with a dramatic sigh.

Micah looked at them in disbelief. "You’re all talking like I had burned down a house or something before," he grumbled.

"Of course, you’ve never done that. We always watched you like a hawk," Willow said coolly.

Micah huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine. I’ll never try to take care of you guys in the future. I’ll just stick with the Edwoods," he mumbled under his breath.

A sharp pinch jabbed his side. He nearly jumped, but he caught Elina’s expression and forced down the yell.

"What did you say, sweetheart?" she hissed. Her polite smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Micah gritted his teeth, forcing a grin. "Nothing.... Mum..."

Elina’s smile deepened. "That’s what I thought." She turned her attention to Darcy. "Anyway, I’ll ask Doctor Marshall to come here and check you."

"There is no need. I can go to the hospital by myself." Darcy refused, tone stiff.

"Don’t be polite with us," Jacob interjected with his usual fatherly warmth. "What’s ours is yours too."

"I don’t think so..." Darcy began, but his voice was drowned out as Micah suddenly jumped up and clapped his hands loudly. "Right! Speaking of that.... Did you look at any available apartments nearby?" he blurted, eager to redirect the conversation.

Aria leaned forward. "We did. Older sister’s place and mine were already under rent. And I think the rest are small for us."

Micah nodded quickly. "Yeah, I thought so too. What about the penthouse? Did you check that?"

There was a pause.

"What?" Micah asked.

"Last week we checked that, it was sold," Willow said.

"Seriously? Wasn’t it vacant for years? They had finally sold it?" Micah asked, frowning.

"What? Is there a problem with that place?" Flora asked.

"No real problem, but the owner always refused to sell or rent," Willow replied.

"Yeah. It’s in such a good location, and yet it was left out empty, rusting away in the dust." Micah replied. "Who had the ability to get his hands on it?"

"No idea," Jacob said. "The problem is, we can’t move into this apartment complex just yet. But there is one two blocks away."

"Nah," Micah shook his head. "There is no use if you are still far away from us."

After seeing Darcy’s attitude today, Micah made up his mind. It was better that they live separately. The closer they got, the more sparks would fly.

What if they utter something awful to each other? It would be hard to make up after that.

Back then, he had suggested his family move here, thinking that Darcy would soften toward Ramsy’s family after some time, but today he realised it was his wishful thinking.

******

Micah stood outside the apartment complex, the chilly autumn air brushing against his neck. The streetlamps threw soft, golden light over the parked cars and pavement, glinting faintly off Darcy’s dark hair beside him.

In front of them, Elina was still fussing near the car door, reluctant to leave.

"Mum, go on," Micah said, smiling gently as he adjusted her shawl around her shoulders. "We’ll come next week. I’ll promise."

Darcy, who was standing half a step behind them, crossed his arms. "Speak for yourself," he said, displeased.

Micah shot him a warning look. "Don’t mind what he says. We will be there," he said quickly, his tone too bright, too smooth.

Elina’s lips pressed into a thin line, but before she could respond, Micah gently turned her toward the car, steering her away before the mother and son could start another round of bickering.

The whole night the Ramsy family had been here, Micah had been on pins and needles, trying to smooth things between them and not let things escalate all of a sudden. By the time the Ramsy family was finally ready to leave, he felt as if he had lost half of his life.

"Drive safe, alright?" he said, looking at his father with eyes that clearly begged, Please take her away before something happens.

Elina pursed her lips but did not say anything.

"We’ll be waiting for you guys then," Jacob said with a softening expression.

"Sure, sure," Micah replied, waving his hand. "Go in before catching a cold. The autumn breeze bites this late." He opened the car door for Elina and gave a quick wave to Willow and Aria, already seated inside.

The Ramsy car finally rolled out of the parking lot and turned onto the main road, leaving Micah and Darcy standing there.