He was always carrying a burden, burdened by the knowledge of Emily's vulnerability and the unpredictability of what was ahead. Nights of pacing the empty apartment, the weight of duty threatening to topple him, replaced sleep as a luxury.
Consumed by the discussions and the precarious status of the firm, Damon withdrew more and more. His intense concentration often gave way to a detached, icy manner, which was a jarring contrast to the warmth he tried to convey. Carl couldn't help but wonder whether this was the new Damon, something that came about as a result of their experience, or if it had always been there, hidden under the surface of a younger brother who seemed carefree.
Carl arrived at the workplace one evening to find Damon bent over a desk, a troubled scowl forming on his br
