Derek's POV
Noticing that she had barely touched the abundant seafood on the table, I felt deeply unsettled.
I didn't bring Tabitha to the island merely to confine her.
Currently, I hadn't found who was behind it all, making Seattle a persistent threat to her safety.
I'd also heard that Holly hadn't received any treatment yet.
Her parents had passed away years ago, leaving Tabitha as her only remaining family.
She needed blood from family members for her medical treatment.
Therefore, members of Amber's Eye Pack would inevitably come to Tabitha.
It could be fine if Tabitha were in good health.
However, she had appeared emaciated and lethargic for the past six months.
Leo also mentioned he couldn't sense Tabitha's wolf.
Her physical condition was just one aspect; more importantly, she had been repeatedly hurt by Holly. The move of returning the phone watch spoke volumes about her feelings.
Constant entanglement with Holly only added to Tabitha's distress.
Concerned for both her physical and mental well-being, I didn't want her involved in Holly's affairs any longer. I hoped she could find healing on the island.
Yet, my efforts were nothing more than imprisonment in Tabitha's eyes.
Watching her walk away, I resolved to expedite my plan.
I feared the longer this dragged on, the wider the rift between Tabitha and me would grow.
Could I win back the one I once discarded?
I entered the room after a few cigarettes and found Tabitha taking medication.
I grabbed her hand and asked in shock, "What are you taking?"
I had been feeling inexplicably uneasy since a few months ago.
Worried that Tabitha's weight loss might be due to illness, I arranged a thorough checkup for her, which showed no major diseases.
As I watched her take her medicine, a pang of concern gripped my heart, though she had already swallowed the pill.
She took a gulp of water, dabbed her lips with a tissue, and then pulled her wrist from my hand.
"Just vitamins," she said casually.
Frowning, I suggested, "Tomorrow, let the pack doctor check you over."
"No need. I'm fine," she replied firmly.
I looked down to examine her medicine bottle, noticing it lacked any dosage instructions.
"Why isn't there a label?" I asked.
Tabitha replied nonchalantly, "There are too few pills per bottle, so I combine doses from several bottles to save trouble."
Her explanation seemed reasonable. Before I could respond, she was already about to leave.
"Can I go rest now?" she asked testily.
I opened my mouth but failed to utter a single word.
The Tabitha of today wouldn't chat with me, acknowledge my feelings, or even argue.
She appeared devoid of passion or emotion, like a stagnant pool, even disinclined to struggle.
Her demeanor only heightened my sorrow. I would have preferred if she had shouted or scolded me rather than maintain this silence, which made me feel like a stranger to her.
Tabitha's POV
Perhaps because I slept too much last night, I didn't feel sleepy after showering, so I put on a coat and decided to take a walk nearby.
The island's night scenery was enchanting, with traditional lanterns swaying under cherry trees and artistic plant-shaped lamps lining the path among budding camellias.
Meek animals such as squirrels and rabbits roamed freely, with no wild beasts in sight, which made the place feel safe.
I strolled along the beach, letting the soothing sound of waves crashing on the sand wash over me.
Tucker, loyal as ever, trotted faithfully at my side.
Honestly, I liked this place. It wasn't exactly as I had imagined, but it came close, about ninety percent there.
It was unbelievable. He had truly created an uninhabited island for me.
If I could let go of my past grievances and attachments, I could see myself living here for the rest of my days.
But my mind was occupied with thoughts of when John would arrive on the island and whether his upcoming surgery would go smoothly.
What exactly happened the night Elena was killed?
And as for Lucian—was he alive or dead?
I had been in the palm of that woman's hand for so many years, unable to break free.
These thoughts made me reluctant to stay, despite the dangers in Seattle.
I needed to unearth the truth, or else this torment would continue endlessly.
Suddenly, Tucker stopped in front of me and carefully observed a small bug crawling on the leaves of a camellia.
Its tail shimmered with a green light.
The little bug fluttered its wings and landed on Tucker's nose. He had never seen such a bug before and seemed to hold his breath as he stared intently at the firefly.
I was puzzled—how could fireflies appear at this time of year?
Turning my head, I noticed several more in the narrow lane beside us, prompting me to walk in that direction with Tucker.
Stepping onto the stairs, I witnessed a large group of fireflies emerging from the woods.
Hundreds of them, like reflections of countless stars, adorned the surroundings, creating a scene more enchanting than a fairyland.
I was so awestruck by this sight that I even forgot to breathe, fearing I might disturb these beautiful creatures.
Then Derek approached with a special glass lantern in his hand. Through its transparent wall, I could see fireflies dancing inside, their lights flickering like tiny stars.
He walked toward me, step by step, wearing a white shirt that made him look like a protagonist from a comic book. "Tabitha, the firefly lantern you wanted," he said.
With fireflies flitting around him, their gentle glow softened his serious demeanor, making him warm and charming.
I stared at him, feeling as though I were in a dream.
"Derek, you..."
Derek took my hand and spoke softly, each word deliberate. "Tabitha, I've never forgotten what you said."