Chapter 510 First Settle the Child's Mother
Ashley stared at the pitch-black ceiling, recalling the few hours spent with Damian. There was no heart-wrenching love anymore, just a bit of weariness. "What do you know about liking or not liking? I want you to get better soon so we can go to Sylvania and reunite with Daddy and Mommy."
Natalia also became happy and kept nodding, "Natalia will take her medicine and get her shots, and get better soon!"
In the darkness, Ashley's eyes were wet. "Yes, Natalia is the best little princess."
Not far away, inside the villa.
Damian lifted his feet out of the foot bath, which was filled with dark medicinal water.
After the soak, Martin treated him, massaging every part from his feet to his knees.
To an outsider, it looked excruciatingly painful, but Damian felt nothing.
Martin diagnosed carefully and then put down his arm, saying seriously, "Mr. Hearst, I'm getting old, and my medical skills probably won't improve much. Do you want to try surgery again? Don't miss the best treatment time!"
Damian had already consulted the top orthopedic and neurology experts. Their diagnoses were surprisingly consistent, concluding that the nerves in his legs were completely dead with no chance of recovery, no matter how many surgeries he underwent.
Damian said calmly, "I can accept the worst outcome. Mr. Collins, don't feel any pressure. Continue with your method."
Martin was deeply regretful. He had initially refused to come to Rochester City to treat Damian's insomnia. Later, upon learning of his paralysis, he couldn't bear it and finally took the step, determined to help him recover. Although Damian's insomnia had improved significantly, his legs remained the biggest challenge.
"Medicine has its limits, but human willpower is boundless. Mr. Hearst, as long as you don't give up, I believe there will be a day of recovery."
Damian pulled down his pant legs and asked as calmly as possible, "Please do everything you can for Natalia's illness. Even if my legs never stand again, please treat that child."
Martin said, "The Natalia that Ashley brought, is she..."
"She is my and Ashley's daughter, so please, Mr. Collins."
Martin immediately understood and smiled with great emotion, "Mr. Hearst, you finally have a good outcome. This is a good thing, a very good thing!"
Whether it was a good thing, Damian couldn't be sure. He could only try to move in a positive direction.
The next morning.
Ashley drove Natalia to the hospital early for blood tests and transfusions. Without better medication, she still relied on traditional treatments.
Afterward, Ashley held Natalia's little hand and walked out.
By some damned coincidence, they ran into Hayden, who was rushing out in a white coat.
"Ashley! Ashley!"
Hayden had received news from Damian, learning that Ashley had returned to the country and might go to the hospital. He had informed the hematology department early on to call him if they saw Ashley. He had just come out of surgery and rushed out immediately.
Luckily, he did, or he wouldn't have seen Mr. Hearst's daughter!
Ashley smiled lightly, "Hello, Mr. Moretti."
Hayden's smile was a bit stiff, "Ashley, don't be so serious. It makes me a little embarrassed."
Ashley still smiled faintly, not intending to chat with him.
In fact, there wasn't much to talk about.
Hayden magically pulled a small toy out of his white coat pocket, bent down, and smiled, "Hello, little one. I'm Mr. Moretti."
The gift was prepared in advance, indicating he had received the news early.
Ashley knew there were no secrets once she returned.
Natalia blinked her innocent big eyes, "Thank you!"
Hayden was thrilled. She looked so much like Ashley, undeniably her daughter. "You're welcome, you're welcome. I'll come to play with you next time!"
Natalia, who had been around doctors since she was little, admired them greatly and nodded immediately, "Okay!"
Hayden's heart melted.
In a tacit understanding, he didn't mention the abrupt departure two years ago or ask about their current lives, as if Ashley had just been on a short trip.
After Ashley left the hospital, Hayden hurriedly called Damian, "Damian! I saw your daughter. She looks just like Ashley! Ashley's genes are strong; the child doesn't look like you at all. But daughters who look like their mothers are the cutest!"
Damian heard him praise his daughter, a smile tugging at his lips. "Tone it down a bit, don't scare my daughter."
Although he didn't know when he would hear Natalia call him "Dad," Damian had already assumed the role of a father.
Hayden teased him, "You're dreaming. First, get Ashley on board! Talking about a daughter, you might not even get a wife."
After lunch, Ashley took the child to see Martin.
Jasper handed over the prepared medicine. "Ashley, you feed Natalia."
The medicine smelled nauseating, let alone drinking it all. Ashley felt heartbroken. "Do you have any sugar?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Damian opened a drawer and took out a large bag of various candies, colorful and at least twenty kinds. "Too much sugar is bad for the teeth. These are sugar substitutes, almost the same taste as fructose."
Ashley glanced at them and unwrapped one. "Natalia, the medicine is a bit bitter. Drink it and then have some candy."
Natalia had never had traditional medicine before. She bravely clenched her little fist. "Auntie, cheer me on, okay?"
"Okay!"
Natalia held the medicine bowl herself and gulped it down, not even daring to breathe.
Ashley cheered from the side, "Go, Natalia! Go! You're the best!"
Jasper cheered even more enthusiastically, waving his arms, "Go, Natalia! You're the best little girl in the world. You will defeat the illness. You're amazing!!"
Damian's lips moved, all his words turning into a gentle, pained smile in his eyes.
After drinking the medicine, Natalia sucked on the candy and smiled with her eyes curved. "Auntie, am I great?"
Not to mention a five-year-old girl, even an adult might not endure such bitterness. She didn't complain once.
Ashley's tears welled up instantly. She rubbed her head with red eyes. "Yes! Great! Auntie is proud of you!"
Martin nodded with satisfaction. "Willingness to take medicine is a good thing. The fear is not taking medicine and not cooperating. Natalia is as brave as Ashley."
Ashley said, "You don't know her mother, Blair."
Natalia couldn't attend kindergarten due to her illness, and Ashley had to teach her some things to prepare for elementary school next year.
Natalia had her ideas, determined to become a doctor who treats children when she grows up.
Damian had Thomas find a medical encyclopedia suitable for children and personally taught her.
Ashley learned massage techniques from Martin and had to leave Natalia with Damian.
In the first-floor study, Natalia blinked her big eyes seriously. "Uncle, you know so much!"
Damian worked from home and was very busy, but he still took a lot of time to read and write with the child. Hearing her praise, he smiled warmly. "Natalia, were you and your aunt happy in Sylvania?"
Natalia responded, then her little face drooped. "Happy."
Damian wasn't good at comforting children. He wasn't even sure if his smile was frightening. "If you were happy, why are you so sad now?"
Natalia pursed her little lips and hesitated before saying, "Auntie works so hard, Grandpa and Grandma work so hard, Daddy and Mommy work so hard, only Natalia doesn't work hard."
Damian was suddenly speechless.
A child's words had rendered him silent.
Natalia looked at him curiously. "Uncle, why do you always sit? Don't you like walking?"
Damian smiled bitterly again. "I like sitting."
Natalia's big eyes curved into a smile. "You're so lazy!"
Damian fell silent.
Soon, the phone rang.
Damian answered, "Speak."
"Mr. Hearst, Chad is in Rochester City. He is also following up on this case, but he is not appearing in court. Since yesterday, he has been touring Rochester City's attractions and eating local food. No abnormalities have been found so far."
"Keep tracking him and see who he meets."
"He just contacted Mrs. Hearst, asking to meet her, but it seems he was refused."
Damian's eyes narrowed. "Got it."
Putting down the phone, Damian ruffled Natalia's hair. "Natalia, can I ask you a favor?"
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