How could the word stay relate to stationary?

However, the idea of real-life people living in what would become the united states for thousands of years before columbus ever left spain never dawned on me. what would be the best way to revise this sentence for greater clarity? a) however, the fact that columbus left spain thousands of years after people settled what would become the united states never dawned on me. b) it never dawned on me, however, the idea of real-life people living in what would become the united states for thousands of years before columbus ever left spain. c) however, the fact that people were already living in what would become the united states for thousands of years before columbus ever left spain never dawned on me. d) however, the idea never dawned on me that long before columbus ever left spain, real-life people lived for thousands of years in what would become the united states.

Can someone me answer this english question

The story of the uncle’s madness is central to a servant to servants which lines tells the most haunting part of the story