Third person's POV
Derek's rationality teetered on the brink of collapse, nearly losing control again and again.
His eyes, now bloodshot, struggled against the overwhelming discomfort within him as he spoke with difficulty, "It's not necessary."
"Your current state, stimulated by the drug, could lead to more serious issues if not alleviated. My advice is to find a woman. It's the most direct and effective solution without side effects," the doctor insisted.
Derek's crimson eyes fixed on the doctor, his thin lips bitten to the point of bleeding, as a deep, husky voice forced its way out of his throat, "I said it's not necessary! Just give me the medication."
The doctor sighed in resignation, thinking to himself that he had encountered another stubborn one, unwilling to listen to reason.
"Alright, but I won't be responsible for any side effects. And given your condition, one dose definitely won't be enough. You'll need two."
Derek gritt
Tabitha's POVI barely slept through the long night, constantly on edge and filled with anxiety.I feared Wilmot might burst through the door at any moment, yet I couldn't help but worry about what had happened to him.While the entire ship was immersed in revelry, I guarded this small haven of tranquility alone.I sat weakly on the floor, arms tightly wrapped around my knees, gazing helplessly at the cold, lonely moon outside the window.It felt as if the whole world was left with just me and the moon for company.My heart was a tangled mess, and my thoughts involuntarily drifted back to all the experiences along the way, feeling that my life was both absurd and ridiculous.I continuously questioned in my heart, what did I do wrong to bear the pain of being separated from my children and living a life of constant hiding?If the door were to be pushed open, what could I do?The answer was cruelly helpless. I could do not
Tabitha's POVThe entire morning passed without any sign of Wilmot.Ayla inquired about him several times, and each time I could only come up with excuses to put her off.However, as time slipped away and Wilmot was gone for a day and a night, I couldn't help but worry.No matter how potent the drug, it shouldn't have lasted this long, should it?Early the next morning, as Forrest was about to leave, I quickly stopped him."What happened to Wilmot?" I demanded, resolute in my stance that he would not leave until he explained the situation clearly.Forrest sighed helplessly and slowly revealed, "Wilmot is sick.""Sick?" I hadn't expected this. He always seemed to be in good health."I won't hide it from you. The drug Wilmot took that night was too strong. He was worried it would affect you, so he changed rooms and spent the entire night in an ice bath. You know the temperature difference between day and night is significa
Tabitha's POVAyla pointed to the figures in the drawing and explained in a childish voice, "Mommy, Wilmot, Helios, and me. We're family."I lightly pressed my lips together and opened my mouth but found myself at a loss for words, unsure how to explain the complex relationships to her.This was probably the inevitable challenge that single-parent families face when it comes to their children—a problem that no mother in the world could easily solve, and I was no exception.After a long hesitation, I slowly said, "Sweetheart, Wilmot is just an uncle. You and I are the real family. Wilmot is with us to protect us, like a godfather. He can only accompany us for a while. One day, when we reach our destination, he will leave."The usually well-behaved Ayla became upset at my explanation.She immediately started to cry, "No! Don't leave! I like Wilmot!""I know you like him, sweetheart. But you have to understand that in the future, y
Third person's POVForrest hadn't been wrong. Derek was indeed sick, feverish for a day and a night, barely clinging to life in his bed.Rolf, like a pack Omega by the bedside, was peeling an apple and chattering incessantly."Alpha Derek, look at you now. What was the point? You've been chasing after Tabitha for half a year, hiding your identity, and in the end, you can't even hold her hand."Alvin glared at him, "Shut your mouth. Do you think Alpha Derek wanted it this way?"He brought a glass of water to Derek, "Alpha Derek, drink more water to recover faster."Derek's face was pale, his lips dry, and he looked haggard.After finishing a glass of water, he leaned against the bed, rubbing his forehead with one hand, his head still feeling dizzy. His first words were about Tabitha."How is Tabitha doing?""Forrest is as attentive as a nurse. You can trust him with Tabitha's preferences. He knows them by heart, and he wo
Third person's POVDays slipped by quietly, and Wilmot had been out of sight for three whole days.Not only did Ayla start to miss him, but Tabitha was also growing restless.She cornered Forrest again, her voice filled with worry and urgency, "How is his condition? It's been so many days, hasn't there been any improvement at all?"Forrest quickly responded, "Please don't worry. He's much better. It's just that Wilmot is concerned that he might still carry the virus and is afraid of infecting you all."Tabitha was skeptical. She wasn't sure if Wilmot was genuinely avoiding her out of such consideration or if his condition had deteriorated to the point where he couldn't be seen.After all, Wilmot had always been kind to her, and she felt she should visit him to ease her mind.So, Tabitha said, "I want to see him. Which room is he in?""No need. Wilmot definitely wouldn't want you to come.""I'll just take a look and leave
Third person's POVDerek knew Tabitha's character like the back of his hand. He was well aware that after what had happened, she would never allow him to stay by her side any longer.He had foreseen this day would come, and his deliberate avoidance in recent days was nothing more than a small struggle deep within, hoping to delay that moment for just a little longer.Tabitha poured him a glass of water first, then slowly sat down on the chair beside him."Speaking of which, you've taken care of us for so long, and this is the first time I've poured water for you."Derek used his fist to press against his lips, coughed slightly, and said softly, "Thank you.""Do you want some medicine?" Tabitha asked with concern."No, I just have a bit of a cough. It's much better than before.""Throughout this journey, I've been very grateful to you. You're a very good person, hardworking and capable. It's a waste to have you take care of the
Third person's POVBefore Tabitha could figure out how to respond, Derek seemed to fear causing her too much distress.He hastily added, "Ms. Hartley, you really don't need to be too troubled by this matter. I like you, and that's ultimately my own affair. I will, as before, try to make myself as unobtrusive as possible and not interfere too much in your life. However..."Pausing for a moment, Derek's eyes betrayed a hint of stubbornness.His tone became even more resolute, "Liking you is also my freedom. Even if you grow tired of me because of it, even if you feel burdened by my feelings, you couldn't stop me from continuing to like you, not even if you took my life."Tabitha listened to his straightforward and fervent words, feeling her ears burn and her heart race like a rabbit kicking inside her chest.She couldn't help but wonder to herself, how had the once seemingly honest and simple him changed so completely?His unreserved ho
Third person's POVDerek still coughed intermittently. After escorting Tabitha to her door, he stopped in his tracks.With a slight bend in his waist, his gaze was tender and concerned as he looked at Tabitha, his voice hoarse with a hint of a rasp, "Ms. Hartley, once you're back, you must rest well. Remember to cover yourself with a blanket when you sleep. Don't catch a cold. The wind on this ship is strong. Both you and Ayla need to take care of your health."After speaking, he looked at Tabitha deeply one more time, as if to etch her appearance into his heart, before turning around and slowly leaving.Derek was well aware that Tabitha's constitution was much weaker than that of an average person.His illness hadn't fully recovered, and in this poorly ventilated environment, germs could spread easily. If he were to infect the child and Tabitha, the consequences would be unimaginable.For the sake of their health, he decided to return to th
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
Third person's POVForrest's voice was laced with worry, "Ms. Hartley, where are you now?"Tabitha had already settled her wages with Forrest before sending the children to the island. She couldn't fathom why he would contact her at this juncture.She couldn't help but feel puzzled.Tabitha inquired, "What's wrong?"Forrest replied, "Wilmot's had an accident. You need to come see him."Tabitha was still trying to make sense of Derek's appearance at the bar when she heard about Wilmot's predicament, and her heart immediately filled with worry.She quickly asked, "What happened to him?"Forrest explained, "Wilmot was already ill recently, and he drank a lot tonight. He's suffered from alcohol poisoning and has been taken to the hospital. He keeps asking to see you, Ms. Hartley. Where are you? Can you come to see him?"Tabitha thought to herself that even if she knew her current location, she couldn't just tell anyone.
Third person's POVTwo more gunshots rang out, the shooter's aim dead on as two more men fell to the ground.Tabitha saw a tall figure standing deep in the alley, shrouded in a cloak, making it impossible to discern who it was.Tabitha's mind raced with questions. Was he a friend or foe?The man removed his hat, revealing the distinctive totem mask beneath.Tabitha stared in disbelief and uttered, "Lucian, why are you here?""Long story. Come with me," Lucian said, grabbing Tabitha's hand and leading her away.They didn't get far before Tabitha glanced back to see Derek and Leopold rushing out of a bar together.Surprise washed over Tabitha. How could Derek be here?Her blood seemed to freeze. 'When did he return?'Lucian pulled Tabitha into a dilapidated black car that passed right in front of Derek.Leaning against the car window, Tabitha gazed at Derek, lost in thought.'If Leopold had arranged to