Tabitha's POV
Holly paused for a sec, then she furrowed her brow, wearing a look of disappointment.
"Tabitha, I get you might be displeased with me. But please don't take it out on Daphne," she pleaded.
With that, she bowed to me, rendering me slack-jawed.
Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, "I'll spend my whole life making it up to you. Just leave Daphne out of it. Let her be with Derek!"
Just when I thought my symptoms had stabilized, Holly's words hit me like a freight train, sending me into a rage.
I got so much to say, but the lump in my throat stopped the words from coming out.
I gritted my teeth, trembling all over out of fury.
With a bang, the door swung open, and a group of people came in.
Mark, seeing the scene, immediately flared up and marched over, fixing his glare at me like he wanted to eat me alive.
"What the heck are you doing, Holly?" Mark sternly helped her up.
Before I could get a word in, Mark blurted out, "Ms. Hartley, no matter what prejudice you have against her, she's your mom. She has given birth to you and raised you up. Although she's left you, she's always thinking about you, and it's why she got sick. And here you are, provoking her every time you meet. Do you wanna kill her?"
"Stop, hon," Holly tried to cut in.
Mark patted her back of the hand, all worked up, "Miss Hartley, believe it or not, I feel for you. And I sincerely wanna take care of you. Let Holly do her mom thing. But now, I can tell why Derek ditched you!"
I was just starting to feel a bit better after a rest. Yet because of the verbal smackdown of the couple, I was so angry that I couldn't even string a sentence together.
The pain in my abdomen spread throughout my body, and with all my strength, I managed to spit out, "Why?"
"Because a woman like you doesn't deserve anyone's kindness! Look at her, she nearly died having you, and this is how you repay her? Aren't you afraid of divine retribution?" he snapped, dumping all this crap on me like it was my fault.
I glared at him, asking, "You done? Then get the hell out of here."
I wasn't gonna waste another breath on this.
It was no use explaining to these fools.
The pain in my abdomen was killing me, and all I wanted was some peace, but they wouldn't give up.
Neither Derek nor anyone from the Silver Moon Pack was here. I was on my own.
Daphne vented all her anger on me, shoving me till I hit the floor.
"Tabitha, you're so pathetic! Derek's done with you, and you're still clinging on," she roared.
I was in so much pain that I broke out in a cold sweat, too weak to talk back. All I could do was bite my lip, curling up like a shrimp.
Holly bent down, trying to help me up.
"Tabitha, you look awful. What's wrong?" she asked, her face full of worry.
Waves of pain penetrated my every pore, cold sweat soaking me through. I wanted to tough it out, to snap back, but I was too wrecked to muster any strength.
Just then, Daphne yanked Holly away, persuading, "Mom, didn't you say she loves playing the victim? I barely touched her and then she fell just like that. She's just putting on an act again."
A look of hesitation appeared on Holly's face.
Daphne sneered, her face deadpan, "Tabitha, quit your act. No one here's buying it."
I was in excruciating pain, and as I was fading out, I felt Daphne kicking me hard on the leg.
Her stiletto heels jabbed right into my joints, causing even more pain.
Apparently, she was settling scores.
"Daphne, stop," I heard Holly's shout.
"Mom, didn't you say she loved putting on an act? If we don't teach her a lesson, she'll still play the same trick next time." As she spoke, she slapped me hard across the face.
"Bitch, stop your drama!" she hissed.
I wanted to fight back, but I was slipping away, my consciousness fading.
In a daze, I felt someone help me up. I seemed to hear the person whispering in my ear, but I couldn't make out what he was saying.
I mumbled, "Home. I wanna go home..."
A pleasant male voice came, "Alright. I'll take you home."
Immediately after, I was placed on his back, my head resting on his shoulder.
He strode off, taking me away.
It reminded me of years ago many years ago when I was knocked down by a group of naughty kids.
"You motherless bastard!"
"Heard your mom ran off with another man. Shame on her!"
I was pissed, so I fought with them, ending up beaten and bruised.
Finally, Dad found me. After chasing those kids away, he took me in his arms. I couldn't help sobbing, "They said I was a motherless bastard."
With a warm smile, Dad stroked my head, comforting, "Silly, you've got me, right?"
I tugged at his sleeve, asking cautiously, "Will you leave me like mom did?"
I had already lost Mom, and I couldn't bear losing him too.
Dad saw right through me, promising, "No, never."
Then he squatted down and hoisted me up. "Don't worry, Tabitha. I'll always be with you."
Out of instinct, I clung to the man's sleeve, shouting, "Don't go! Please don't leave me!"