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.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: A Second Chance At Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard)
Loved the story, many times caught in so much actually crying with the situation. Wish had more chapters to a better ending....
It's weird that the story went from narrative to slang use. Good story so far though...