Chapter 292 Hidden Pain
Fiona clenched her jaw as she faced Dagmar.
She had braced herself for an outburst of anger from him.
After all, what she owed Dagmar would always be her lifelong debt.
But to her surprise, after a soft chuckle, Dagmar said with ease: "I haven't dwelt on the past for some time. Darwin is Charles and Chicago's biological father and he's recently saved your life. Besides, if you're willing to take him back, he must have changed quite a bit, right?"
"Yeah," Fiona said, her eyes rimmed with redness, her voice slightly choked.
"Fiona, I just want you to be happy. If being with Darwin makes you happy, then your brother supports you," Dagmar said, his gaze as tender as ever.
Fiona never expected such a response.
Dagmar's attitude towards her reconciliation with Darwin was unexpectedly supportive.
"Brother Dagmar, Darwin owes you so much in this life. From now on, whatever you need, we'll be there for you, no questions asked," Fiona promised.
Dagmar nodded.
The conversation shifted to Ashton's elopement.
The awkwardness that had hung in the air when they met was gradually dissolving as they talked.
After breakfast, Dagmar spent the morning hanging out with Charles and Chicago. They had a quick lunch and then it was time to depart.
“I’ll walk you out, and give you a few things to take care of on the way,” Janna said slowly as she rose from her seat.
“Of course,” Dagmar replied.
“If you finish up and can’t go back to celebrate with your folks, come on over and we'll celebrate your birthday for you,” Fiona chimed in, care in her voice.
Dagmar nodded warmly, a gentle smile on his face, then followed Janna out, one trailing the other.
“It's been tough on you,” Janna said sincerely, glancing at Dagmar.
In truth, Janna had known since yesterday that Dagmar would be coming. She was intimately acquainted with the events of the past and remembered the desolation in Dagmar when she first found him. She was also well aware of Dagmar’s deep, unwavering affection for her beloved granddaughter.
If Janna had any say in picking her granddaughter's husband, without hesitation, she would choose Dagmar.
But it wasn’t her decision to make.
Knowing the vile things that Darwin had done to Dagmar, Janna was deeply concerned that Dagmar would react irrationally upon learning that Fiona might reconcile with Darwin. So, she had taken the initiative to call Dagmar.
She had informed Dagmar of the situation in advance and out of a sense of guilt, offered to divest the Rhoads family's medical group and give it to him as a gift. Even with his skills, Dagmar would never amass such wealth working a lifetime in any hospital.
With his talents and looks, and now this significant wealth, Dagmar could have any woman he desired, save for Fiona.
“Mr. President, that's a bit heavy. After all, human emotions are unpredictable, and despite five years, I’ve failed to win Fiona’s heart back from Darwin. In the end, it's also a reflection of my inadequacies,” Dagmar said, his eyes downcast, staring at the tip of his shoe. “Even if you hadn't approached me, or offered anything, I would still wish Fiona well.”
“My dear boy,” Janna said with a face full of sympathy, “you should let go too. With your talents and looks, you're bound to find someone who will love you wholeheartedly!”
Dagmar looked at Janna, smiling and nodding: “Don’t worry, I will.”
As they spoke, Dagmar reached his car.
He nodded slightly, respectfully, “Mr. President, please head back. Once I’ve finished the rounds at the hospital and written the report, I’ll come to see you.”
“Don't rush, and don’t wear yourself out,” Janna said with maternal concern.
“Understood.”
“Drive safe,” she added.
Dagmar nodded, got into his car, started the engine, and slowly drove towards the exit.
These days, the weather was exceptionally good. In the neighborhood where villas stood adorned with blooms, beyond the shared community gardens, private gardens flourished in a vibrant tapestry of colors.
A soft pink cherry blossom petal landed on the windshield as Dagmar stared expressionlessly. He was expressionless.
The car left the suburbs, heading toward its destination.
Gradually, Dagmar pulled over to the curb.
Suddenly, his complexion grew pale and fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead, a clear sign of his distress. Anxiously, he removed his watch, revealing a light scar underneath the band. He scratched the scar, his face contorted in agony.
"Why can't this just leave me be? Why won't it let go?" he muttered to himself as if scratching wouldn't ease a bit of his torment.
With both hands, he pounded the steering wheel furiously, roaring with each hit.
His hysterical appearance was a stark contrast to his usually composed and genteel demeanor.
He paused, taking heavy breaths.
The itching from the scar brought no relief, compelling him to scratch again until the skin broke and bled. Only upon seeing blood did Dagmar snap out of it.
He quickly rolled down his shirt sleeve.
Frantically, he fumbled through the glove compartment for a bottle of pills, shakingly downed two without water, and swallowed them dry.
After swallowing the pills, Dagmar unbuttoned his shirt and leaned back, exhausted. His once bright eyes gazed emptily at the road that seemed to stretch on endlessly.
"Why is it still him?" he whispered.
Was he really that insignificant to her?
Did all his efforts mean nothing, not even warranting the slightest bit of concern from her?
It could have been anyone.
But why did it have to be Darwin? Was the love that deep?
As the medication took effect, the pain and itch slowly subsided.
Dagmar remained seated for a while before he finally straightened up, retrieved his watch from the passenger seat, ignored the bloodstains, and put it back on his wrist.
Looking out the car window, he noticed two kids playing with ants in the shade of a tree.
Dagmar turned to the backseat where he had yet to remove a present.
He used to bring gifts for Charles and Chicago every time he returned from a trip. Chicago loved the ritual of opening presents—once he could talk, he told Dagmar, "Chicago will get it from the car myself."
That became a tradition; upon returning home, Dagmar would stay in the car with the gifts until Charles and Chicago, hand in hand, came to fetch them.
But today was different.
He could distinctly feel that Charles and Chicago were becoming distant.
Charles was a rational child, and Dagmar figured he must know who Darwin was by now and had accepted him, thus the increased distance.
Chicago was also more guarded now.
In the end...
Dr. Derek Madison didn't bring up the subject of gifts nor did he offer them unprompted. He got out of his car and reached into the backseat to grab the carefully chosen presents. Walking over to the children who were engrossed in their game with ants under a tree, it wasn't until Derek stood right beside them that they finally looked up at him. With a gentle smile, he handed the gifts to the two young ones.
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