Tabitha's POV
I stood quietly there, watching Mark handle Holly's discharge papers.
Then I followed them back to their villa, where I cooked a few dishes. Derek came, too.
Holly sat in the wheelchair, looking super fragile.
She kept dialing Daphne's number, clearly missing her like crazy.
To avoid upsetting her, Mark didn't tell her the truth. And I got that. Holly had been a solid mom for Daphne her whole life. He didn't want her to die with regrets.
"Just let her be. You know she's a willful girl. I bet she'll come home in a few days," Mark said with a hint of resignation.
"Yeah, you're right," Holly murmured softly.
Perhaps thinking Daphne still hated her, she stopped trying to ring her up.
While we were eating, Holly kept nagging Derek to take good care of Daphne and never hurt her.
I gave a wry smile. She never showed me such motherly love.
Derek, despite pulling a long face, agreed to all her requests.
Although Daphne wasn't here, Holly seemed to be having a good time, guzzling down more glasses of wine than usual, her cheeks all flushed.
After she finished, she insisted we watch the sunset together.
"Tabitha, if I'd known I'd end up like this, I'd have cherished every moment with you. When John comes around, please apologize to him on my behalf. I have let him down," Holly piped up, her voice tinged with sadness.
"Okay," I replied softly with mixed feelings.
"I hope you'll find your true love. Can you stop blaming Daphne for stealing Derek? After all, what's done can't be undone." Her eyes found mine, a pleading look on her face.
"Don't worry, I won't fight her for that scumbag. Since I've given him up, I won't get back together with him," I told her firmly, feeling totally over Derek.
Holly gazed at me for a long time, and then she pulled me into a hug. "Good girl," she said, her voice choked with emotion.
"I cracked a bitter smile, thinking, 'But the world is so unfair
—good people are always the ones most badly hurt.'"
The next morning, Mark took Holly up the mountain to catch the sunrise. Derek and I followed suit.
Holly nestled in his arms, gazing at the golden ray of light on the horizon. "It's so beautiful. I wish I could watch the sunrise with you forever and ever," she exclaimed.
Mark held her tight, fighting back tears. "As long as you want, I'll be right here with you."
"The happiest thing in my life was meeting you, but sadly, I'm about to die," Holly sighed, her words heavy with reluctance.
Standing in the distance, Derek and I watched them embracing each other. Holly's face looked particularly serene and beautiful at that moment.
It was just like the last radiance of the setting sun.
When the sun climbed to its zenith, Holly's hand slipped from Mark's grasp.
Mark didn't move, like he didn't feel a thing. He just quietly embraced Holly, a gentle smile on his face.
Then, he leaned down, planting a soft kiss on her forehead, his eyes showing no sadness at all.
"Holly, as I said, I'll always be with you," he murmured.
His words were filled with love and determination.
I sensed something off and I hurried over, only to see blood dripping from the corner of Mark's mouth.
"Mark! What did you do?" Panic and helplessness filled my voice.
Derek just shook his head. "It's too late."
His tone was deep and heavy with sadness.
Mark looked at us, his voice weak but determined. "Tabitha, Holly will be scared if she's alone. She needs me with her. After we're gone, can you bury us together?"
I knelt beside the two of them, tears streaming down my face as I promised, "Okay."
I choked back my tears, my heart filled with sorrow.
"Derek, please take care of Daphne for me, and the Amber's Eye Pack, too." Mark's voice was fading but his resolve remained strong.
"I got it," Derek replied, carrying a weight in his voice.
"Then I've got no regrets. Don't cry, Tabitha, I'm off to find Holly now. Take care." Mark's voice trailed off as he peacefully closed his eyes.
I looked at them, drowning in endless sadness.
Their love, like this warm morning light, was eternal and beautiful.
And I could only pray that they would be together forever in another world.