Third person's POVThis was the first time Elena had spoken initiatively. Derek sat at the coffee bar, preparing to make pour-over coffee. "Go ahead," he said.Elena gazed at the pattern on the coffee bar and spoke slowly, "After I got lost, I was captured by a few rogues. They left me with a weak wolf pack in the forest, where I suffered a lot. Later, I managed to escape..."She didn't narrate the process of her suffering but glossed over it.Derek asked proactively, "How did you make it?"All the information he found was very general and lacked specific details.Elena still didn't describe it in detail, "It's simple. I had been planning for a long time, hiding matches to ignite their stored firewood. They were very poor, so it couldn't withstand a fire for long, but..."She paused and continued, "Before setting it alight, I trapped that family in the room and burned them to death. It took me over a month to walk out of that forest.
Third person's POVElena's face revealed a paranoid and morbid smile despite being slapped."I am a madwoman. Why should I bear all the suffering in this world alone? Since I am already in hell, I will drag more people down with me. Alpha Derek, if you blame anyone, blame yourself for loving her!"As if remembering something, she added, "It doesn't matter that you hit me. But don't forget, I am the one behind it, but you are the executor. It's your own disbelief in her, your indifference, your neglect, and your bullying that have hurt her the most. I am not the one who wounded her deeply."Derek's raised hand stopped at this moment.He knew Elena was right. He was the real culprit and had no right to resent anyone else.He slumped down and lit a cigarette, staring into the void. "Now she's gone, and I've lost everything. Are you satisfied?"Elena's gaze fell on Derek's gaunt and haggard face. She didn't speak, and no one knew what she
Third person's POVTabitha had undergone six rounds of chemotherapy, one every twenty-one days. By the time they were over, half a year had passed.Each day of these six months had been akin to living in hell for her, with the side effects of chemotherapy permeating every organ.She was particularly sensitive to cold then. Her hands and feet were perpetually cold. Her legs were weakened, with an excruciating pain in her bones.Theodora looked at her with heartache, "Tabitha, you've made it through. You've completed all six chemotherapies. You're stronger than most people."Tabitha lay in bed, weak and dizzy.She spoke weakly, "Dora, help me outside to see the sunlight. I feel like I've been lying down for ages.""Sure."Theodora wheeled her out in a wheelchair. It was now winter here.The temperature was generally much warmer than in Seattle. Even during the coldest season, the city did not see snow.The winter su
Third person's POVEvery day and every second of being sick was a torment, and Tabitha still had to wait another month.Tabitha sighed, hoping to get in touch with Lucian soon, even if it was just to see photos of her children.However, due to Lucian's special status, she didn't dare use her old number, so she couldn't contact him at all.Derek had been waiting for a long time and finally received another video update of Tabitha.She hadn't left the courtyard for several days, indicating that her condition was indeed very weak. Even today, when she came out, she could only sit in a wheelchair.Derek's fingers touched the screen. She seemed to have lost more weight than last time. She had no flesh on her face, with a sharp chin. A pair of eyes were alarmingly large on her face."Is this the sixth time?" Derek asked."Yes, after this chemotherapy, it's all over. All that's left is to rest and recuperate.""Tabitha's won't
Third person's POVAfter hearing those words, Tabitha's grip on her phone loosened.Her phone fell to the ground with a loud "thud," startling Theodora, who was in the middle of a phone call with Orson.She quickly ended the call and looked at Tabitha with concern, "Tabitha, are you alright?"Tabitha's face had turned pale. "I'm fine," she replied.Theodora picked up the phone for her, and the screen was frozen on Derek's face.Thedora wiped the phone and handed it back to Tabitha, comforting her, "Tabitha, you don't have to worry. He doesn't know you're still alive. You need to step out of his shadow."Theodora wondered what Derek had done to Tabitha that still frightened her so much until today.Tabitha nodded. But she was still afraid, feeling that Derek was saying those words to her."No need to worry. He can't possibly know I'm still alive," Tabitha murmured to herself.She also tried to convince herself that
Third person's POVTabitha looked into the faces of the two people in front of her. Their sincerity and kindness warmed her heart.Throughout her life, she had faced many setbacks and villains, but fate had also sent some lovely people to help her. She wasn't entirely unlucky.At least this time, the Moon Goddess sent these two friends to help her."Okay, but I'm much better now. Dora can go back to work now. You don't need to take care of me anymore," Tabitha said."But..." Theodora started to object."It's settled. I can't let you waste any more time on me. Besides, this is the house you're preparing for your wedding. How could I stay here for that long? I can move to a smaller apartment and I can hire a housekeeper. I can also go downstairs for a walk by myself," Tabitha insisted.Orson didn't want her to worry about such trivial matters and immediately agreed."Alright, I'll do it for you right away."Orson was effic
Third person's POVTabitha, still with a composed expression, asked, "Are you in dire need of money? Are there any other people in your family?"Wilmot scratched the back of his head, "Yes, I have a mother back home who runs a small farm.""Are you married?" she inquired further."As a security, there's hardly any time to maintain a personal life. If I had a wife, she would often be left alone in an empty house. It would be unfair and cruel to her, so it's better to be alone," Wilmot explained.Tabitha continued her questioning, "Where did you work before?""My life has been one of constant turmoil. I grew up in poverty, and later became a mercenary. After my discharge, I've worked everywhere, in casinos, nightclubs, as a private bodyguard, an enforcer. Anything dirty or grueling that could earn me a paycheck.""Who was your previous employer?"Tabitha was no longer the once kind, cheerful, and lively girl she used to be.
Third person's POVTwo uneventful weeks passed by in a quiet and unremarkable manner.Tabitha was quite satisfied with Wilmot. The man was like a shadow, almost non-existent.Normally, when Tabitha was inside the house, he would be guarding the yard outside.He never stepped into the bedroom and rarely entered the living room.He would only return to his room after Tabitha had fallen asleep at night.By the time Tabitha woke up in the morning, he was already in the yard exercising.If Tabitha planned to go out, she would let him know.He would push her wheelchair, occasionally taking her to the supermarket for daily necessities or strolling leisurely around the neighborhood.Apart from necessary communication, he spoke very little. Often, people would overlook his presence.One day, he suddenly knocked gently on the glass door outside the living room.Tabitha got up and opened the door, looking at him with
Third person's POV"Tabitha, how long have you known Lucian? Do you understand his background? Or rather, since he is neither a relative nor an acquaintance, why would he help you? There is no such thing as unselfish kindness in this world. Most of it is mixed with interests. Do you think he has ulterior motives towards you?"Tabitha was taken aback by Derek's series of questions and didn't know how to answer for a moment, only able to stammer, "I...""Tabitha, we have known each other for many years and understand each other well. Lucian helped us take care of the children, and we should be grateful to him. But if you want to leave with him, are you sure this is the right path? Think not only for yourself but also for the children. What they really want is a stable life or a wandering one?"Derek's ability to control people's hearts was too strong. With just a few words, he hit Tabitha's soft spot - the children."If it's because of me that you've come to t
Third person's POVBoth of them avoided discussing heavy topics during the meal. It wasn't until after finishing eating that Tabitha picked up a napkin, wiped the corners of her mouth, and then broached the main subject."What are your plans?" Tabitha asked."Tabitha, I've already found some clues about Jasper, but with the news of you being alive spreading, it's not safe to stay in Seattle anymore. I won't insist on you staying by my side, but at least you need to protect yourself and the children's safety. How about going to Hawaii? It's very safe there," Derek said sincerely."Do you want me to hide there for the rest of my life?" Tabitha frowned and questioned."At least for now, until I find out her identity..." Derek explained."As long as I don't show up, she will never reveal herself. Am I supposed to hide forever?" Tabitha interrupted him.Tabitha put down the small spoon in her hand, looked at Derek seriously, and said, "Derek, let's be f
Third person's POVTabitha closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as if trying to calm her emotions. After a while, she opened her eyes again and asked, "Were you also involved that night on the boat?""Yes," Derek replied without hesitation."Is Wilmot your man?" Tabitha's voice carried a hint of doubt.Derek paused for a moment, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, before slowly answering, "Yes, I was just too worried about you, so I had him go to protect you.""Then do you know what we..." Tabitha's words were cut short as Derek suddenly slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop on the side of the road.He turned to look at Tabitha, his eyes filled with sincerity and urgency, and said, "Tabitha, I am very clear about what happened that night. He was there to help you."Tabitha did not believe Derek's words. Her eyes were filled with anger and disappointment as she shouted, "Wilmot disappeared as soon as he came back. Forrest told me last night that he was dying. Was that y
Third person's POVDerek never expected that as soon as Tabitha returned, he would receive a call from Gloria.On the other end of the line, Gloria's voice came through, "Tabitha wants to see you."Hearing this, Derek's heart sank, and he sighed, thinking to himself, 'I knew it. I couldn't hide it from her.'On an evening with snowflakes drifting down, the sky was shrouded in gloom, and the snow fell gently, covering the entire world in a silver-white veil.Tabitha wrapped her coat tightly and saw Derek again.Since her staged death, Tabitha had only seen Derek through news reports.Now, as she approached him, she was surprised to find that he had become much thinner, his figure appearing particularly frail.Derek was dressed in a black coat, leaning quietly against the car. In just a minute, snowflakes began to fall on his head, accumulating a thin layer of white snow.Tabitha took a deep breath, calming her emotions, and then walked towards Derek.Looking at Derek, her eyes carried
Third person's POVGloria held Helios on her lap, skillfully peeling a grape and feeding it to him, her experience with children evident."Feeling better now that it's out," she said, watching the child play quietly nearby.Tabitha casually inquired, "Why did you hold back on the day we met, only to tell me today?"Gloria had her excuse ready, responding, "You had just returned to the States, and I didn't know your situation. I was afraid it would cause you trouble."Tabitha peeled a few more grapes before setting them aside when Helios indicated he'd had enough.She then looked at Gloria and said slowly, "You weren't afraid of causing me trouble. You were afraid I would leave, weren't you?"Gloria was taken aback, about to argue, but Tabitha saw through her, "Every time you lie, you subconsciously avert your gaze, fearing I'll see through you."Gloria, in a fit of exasperation, covered her face with a blanket, "You two are tru
Third person's POVDerek's face contorted with pain as he continued, "After Tabitha faked her death, I suspected what had happened. I was torn at the time, wanting to bring her back, but I also understood that doing so would only repeat past mistakes. So, I protected her within my control and waited silently. Gloria, I swear, I won't hurt her again."A hint of pleading appeared on Derek's face as he went on, "I'm asking for your help not out of selfishness. Tabitha's illness isn't fully healed, her body hasn't recovered, and with two children in tow, she wouldn't be able to protect herself if danger arises."Gloria had never seen Derek so humble.She remembered how Derek had always approached her with a condescending attitude four years ago.Derek continued, "You are Tabitha's friend, and your starting point should be considering her safety, right? If I wanted to harm her, I could just bring her back directly, so why would I go through the trouble
Third person's POVThe two children were a blend of their parents. The girl resembled Derek, while the boy took after Tabitha, which was quite different from their brother, Kyrian.Derek thought to himself that if Kyrian knew he had two younger siblings, he would be thrilled.But when he considered his relationship with Tabitha, he sighed deeply, filled with regret for his past actions.At that moment, Alvin approached swiftly and reported, "Just received news from the island. Noah is taking Ayla away, and Lucian's direction also leads to the island. He plans to take Tabitha away."Derek, with his hands behind his back and a furrowed brow, spoke with a melancholic expression, "Lucian intends to take more than just Ayla—Tabitha as well. She has always sought opportunities to leave me, and this presents her with an excellent chance.""What should we do? Should we stop him now? Otherwise, with his capabilities, if he truly takes Tabitha a
Third person's POVPlans... Tabitha's original goal had been to find her two children and Jasper.The children were found, but Jasper was without a trace.However, she couldn't search aimlessly without a target.Thinking of Derek's anxious appearance last night, it was clear he still had feelings for her.Gloria's text warning Tabitha to be careful of Derek came to Tabitha's mind again.Tabitha felt she had overlooked some subtle details. What exactly had she missed?It seemed a key point was missing, and once found, it would connect all the events."I don't know. I just wanted to find the children, but I didn't expect to court death. And Derek's attitude towards me is ambiguous. Outside this cabin, I don't know what awaits me," Tabitha said, her face full of entanglement.Seeing her struggle, Lucian took a big gulp of mineral water and mustered the courage to say, "Have you severed ties with him?"Tabitha nodded,
Third person's POVDerek had painstakingly built up Tabitha's trust by posing as Wilmot.He knew that if she ever discovered his true identity, her anger would be immense, and the trust he had spent half a year constructing would crumble entirely.Derek continued, "Send someone to discreetly protect her without revealing themselves. Ayla is still on the island. Tabitha will go to see her."Rolf nodded in agreement, "Understood."Derek added with caution, "Remember, Lucian has a strong ability to detect surveillance, so do not get too close."Rolf responded, "Yes, Alpha Derek. We will handle it immediately."Turning to Alvin, Derek instructed, "Investigate the identities of those deceased men thoroughly."Derek pondered whether Tabitha's survival had been leaked, perhaps when she was seen on the boat.The assailants had been ruthless, and if not for Lucian's timely arrival, Tabitha could have been in grave danger. He had