Tabitha's POV
I 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 POVAlya was gone! She had slipped away stealthily during the gap in her exercise routine!Immense terror gripped Tabitha's heart.Ayla had always been so well-behaved. Tabitha never imagined Alya would venture out alone to find Wilmot.She was well aware that this ship was no ordinary place, harboring far too many hidden dangers and darkness.Her mind conjured up various dreadful thoughts.How many psychologically twisted perverts lurked on this ship?Ayla was so young and adorable, like a budding flower. If targeted by ill-intentioned individuals, what kind of misfortune might she encounter?There were far too many wealthy individuals with twisted psyches committing heinous acts, and the consequences were often more terrifying than mere threats.For instance, some perverts were obsessed with specific parts of a woman's body, such as legs or hair.They would post nefarious tasks on the dark web, an
Third person's POVThese hours felt like an eternity to Derek, as if he were trapped in a living hell.Every second was a fierce battle against the searing pain, yet he gritted his teeth and remained conscious despite it all. His mind was filled with the hope of seeing Tabitha the moment the surgery ended.The operating room door slowly creaked open, and Misha rushed forward like a gust of wind, anxiously shouting, "Derek, are you okay?"At this moment, Derek's chin weakly rested on his crossed hands, as if all his strength had been drained in the struggle against the pain.He was drenched in cold sweat from the agony and was on the verge of collapse.But the moment the door opened, he still mustered up his spirit, and his eyes eagerly looked towards the door.The first person he saw was not the concerned Misha but the Tabitha he had always been thinking about.Derek ignored Misha's greeting and said in a weak but affectionate voice, "Tabitha.
Third person's POVTabitha raised her head, ignoring the indifferent gaze around her, straightened her spine and said, "No. I'll wait here."After speaking, she touched her swollen face and silently vowed in her heart that she would definitely return this slap.Tonight's events were too sudden, and Alvin hurriedly dealt with the follow-up matters.In this way, Tabitha was left with only Rolf.Earlier in the car, Tabitha took off her thick jacket, and now she was only wearing a thin sweater.The hospital corridor had no heating, and the piercing cold wind blew in, making people feel chilly.Tabitha stood there, and her thoughts involuntarily drifted back to that night a few years ago. She was also like this at that time, standing alone in the cold wind, anxiously waiting for Derek.Rolf looked at Tabitha's back and felt an inexplicable sense of pity in his heart.Although he was not particularly delicate, seeing Tabitha standing there alon
Third person's POVWhen she went in, she was full of energy and vigor.But now, as she came out, she was so weak that even her lips were pale, and her body was on the verge of collapsing, barely able to stand with the support of others.Both Rolf and Tabitha could see that Misha must have had a blood draw far exceeding the normal amount, which was why she was so weak and feeble.Misha was in such a hurry when she arrived that she didn't even notice Tabitha's presence.It was only now, when Tabitha looked at her with a worried and anxious gaze, that Misha subconsciously shifted her eyes towards Tabitha.With just one glance, Misha recognized the woman in front of her as Tabitha—the person Derek always held dear.Through the tense and busy surgery just now, Misha had roughly understood the course of events.Knowing Derek as she did, with his abilities, he could quickly find cover to protect himself in any dangerous situation.Even if
Third person's POVTabitha clutched Derek's hand tightly, incessantly repeating, "You promised me. You have to survive." It wasn't until Derek was wheeled into the operating room that Tabitha's hand was forcibly released by the medical staff, who said, "Family members wait outside."Before the operating room door closed, Tabitha heard Derek's voice come through, "Tabitha, wait for me."With a "bang," the door shut.Rolf followed by Tabitha's side, trying to comfort her, "Don't worry. The top doctors are all here. Several times before, they pulled Alpha Derek back from the brink of death."In fact, upon learning of Derek's accident, all the department heads had rushed to the operating room in advance, and even the blood he needed had been prepared from the blood bank ahead of time.Although Rolf was trying to comfort Tabitha, he himself couldn't hide his worries.He muttered quietly, "Alpha Derek has lost so much blood, and his blood type is already
Third person's POVGunshots rang out from outside, but Tabitha's mind was no longer receptive. All she could see was the bloodied Derek.Her body was immobilized, and she could only watch helplessly as Derek's blood dripped onto her face, then slid down her chin and into her neck."I, I'm fine," he managed to say, forcing a weak smile and reaching out to gently touch Tabitha's face.His knuckles, already marred by glass shards, were ignored as he wiped the blood from her face."If, if I die, would you shed a tear for me?"Tabitha was in a state of rigidity, unable to associate the battered man before her with Derek.He had always been a god-like figure. How could he be like this?Her lips trembled, wanting to do something, but she couldn't do anything.Just like with Joanna, they had shielded her with their bodies, and she could only watch helplessly as it all unfolded.Tears streamed down her cheeks, "No, you won't die."Soon
Third person's POVDerek finished paying the bill and walked out of the restaurant with Tabitha.At this moment, it was already pitch dark outside, with the streetlights emitting a dim yellow glow that illuminated the swirling white snow.The snow scene looked particularly romantic, but Derek and Tabitha's moods were complex at this moment.Derek drove and took Tabitha to the hospital.Forrest was waiting in the corridor, and upon seeing Tabitha, he quickly greeted her respectfully, saying, "Tabitha, you're here."Tabitha didn't have time for small talk and anxiously asked, "How is Wilmot?""Last night, he had dialysis, and he's still in the intensive care unit, but don't worry, he's out of life-threatening danger," Forrest replied.Tabitha, unable to enter the intensive care unit, could only see a vague outline of a man lying on the hospital bed through the glass.She felt a slight relief in her heart.Subsequently, Tabitha took out
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