SWNOVELS Chapter 1508
After laying Evelyn to rest, Eleanor took Nina to visit Emilia's grave. As they approached the tombstone and began to pay their respects, a light drizzle began to fall. Bernard, who was waiting outside the cemetery, however, produced a black umbrella and left Damian locked in the car, venturing alone into the graveyard to shield the women from the rain.
Damian leaned his small, delicate face against the car window, a hint of anger in his eyes. He promised himself that the next time they came to pay respects, he would bolt like a wild mustang, running off so fast that even his father wouldn't know what to do with him.
After the memorial for both Emilia and Ethan, Eleanor took Nina to Panama to visit Liana's grave. Eleanor made it a point to pay her respects every year, and when Damian was just two, she taught him to call Liana "Auntie."
By the age of five, Damian was accustomed to the ritual. He gently placed chrysanthemums on the grave and, touching Liana's portrait, obediently called out "Auntie." Then, seizing a moment when Bernard was distracted, he dashed off like a runaway mustang. He didn't get far before a large hand caught the back of his shirt, hoisting him back to where he started.
Damian's small face drooped, utterly unhappy. When Will Webb saw him, he raised his gentle hand to pat Damian's head. "After we finish paying our respects, how about I take you to the study and teach you some medical knowledge?"
Damian quite liked coming to Panama, mainly because of Uncle Will, who would share fascinating medical knowledge with him. Even if he didn't understand it all, he was eager to learn. Hearing Will's offer to go to the study, Damian calmed down and behaved.
Damian was usually quiet, speaking up only when something genuinely interested him. Otherwise, he carried an air of disdain, as if his nose was turned up at the world. Yet, he learned whatever he could from the people around him.
He picked up Elbert's knack for gambling, Robin's skill in managing subordinates, Peterson's marksmanship, Cedric Laurence's computer expertise, and Will's medical acumen. He was keen on Aidyn Reyes and Scott's combat skills too, absorbing all he could, though at his young age, integration of these skills was beyond his reach.
Damian recognized the talents of those around him, but he couldn't see any in his father, other than his dad's relentless displays of affection for his mother and his father's efforts to send Damian away so he could have her all to himself.
He certainly couldn't adopt his father's skill in passionate kissing. Instead, Damian found ways to feign discomfort, trying to separate what seemed like inseparable lovebirds.
But this tactic only worked at night. During the day, Damian was often overshadowed by his father's presence. Only at night did Damian enjoy the luxury of undivided attention.
Seated cross-legged on the study floor, Damian listened intently as Will, sitting across from him, flipped through a medical textbook, explaining theories and occasionally being interrupted by Damian's insightfu questions.
Will was reminded of Tyler Howell, who as a child, also displayed a knack for uncovering issues in medicine-a sure sign of genius.
Looking at the five-year-old Damian, Will couldn't resist ruffling his hair. "Dame, you're so smart. When you grow up, you could be a genius doctor like Uncle Tyler..."
Damian respected those he considered impressive, and even though he disliked it, he tolerated the heavy hand on his head and replied, "I don't want to be a doctor..."
Surprised, Will held up the book and asked, "Aren't you pestering me about medical knowledge because you're interested in healing and helping people?"
Damian shrugged off Will's hand and said nonchalantly, "They're not my family. Why should I care about healing others?"
Damian's cold indifference was bone-deep, making Will wonder if the boy had some form of heightened emotional detachment. "Then, Dame, what do you want to become when you grow up?" Damian furrowed his little brows and looked at Will with determination. "I am who I am. Why do I have to become something when I grow up?"
Will was taken aback by the response. Damian's individuality and intelligence were clear signs he was anything but detached. Understanding this, Will stopped pressing with pointless questions and instead focused on imparting the medical knowledge Damian could grasp.
Each year, Eleanor's family would stay on the island for a while and pay respect to Liana. Will would warmly host them and teach Damian activities like rowing. But the hardest part was always saying goodbye. After Bernard helped Eleanor onto the boat, he scooped up Damian and perched him on his shoulder. With a slight turn, he let Damian wave farewell to Will...
Watching the ship sail away, Will raised his hand in a teary goodbye. Despite the heartache of parting, such is the nature of life-people and their stories eventually must come to an end.