Tabitha's POV
Watching people around me perish one by one filled me with an unprecedented fear.
John was the last hope that kept me going.
I had to do my best to keep him by my side.
I wanted to clean Dad's body, but my injured hand rendered the simple wish almost impossible.
I couldn't even handle a simple job like wringing out a towel.
Jasper, seeing my embarrassment, considerately wrung the towel dry for me. Then he patiently soothed me, "Tabitha, don't worry. Derek avoided the vital areas. Maybe your hand will heal in time. You shouldn't give up hope."
I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "So you're saying I should be thankful that he showed mercy?"
I looked at my useless wrist and added in a cold voice, "My biggest regret is not being able to kill Elena. That damn psycho!"
I realized that there was something wrong with Elena when I saw her reaction to pain. Even in extreme agony, she bit her lip hard, refusing to make a single sound.
"Tabitha, Elena is in poor health, and her life isn't so easy." Jasper tried to show me a different angle.
"You think my life is easier then?" I shot back, a bitter smile crossing my face.
Jasper fell silent. He knew what I had been through and understood more words wouldn't help at this moment.
After a while, he sighed softly, "Everything's gonna be okay."
I gazed at Dad's calm face, feeling a surge of strength. "Right, it's not that I have nothing and no one. I still have my dad. Everything's gonna be fine."
Jasper piped up again, "Sleep tight tonight. I'll operate on John first thing tomorrow."
That night, my mind was buzzing with nerves and excitement that I hardly slept a wink.
As soon as dawn hit, I went to Jasper. "Nothing will go wrong with the surgery, right?"
He reassured me, telling me the surgery's success rate was sky-high.
"Brain surgery is more delicate and complex than ordinary ones. So you gotta be patient. It may take a while," he explained.
I nodded, anxiously waiting outside the OR.
Klein handed me a glass of warm water, comforting in a gentle voice, "Don't stress. Matthew is a brilliant surgeon."
I finally relaxed a bit and forced a smile. "Sorry for freaking out. I just..."
I licked my lips, my voice trembling slightly. "I have lost too much in less than three years. My status, my wealth, my pup, and my mom. Even my hand is disabled. As you can see, I'm pretty much useless now. My dad is the only family I have, so I want him to pull through more than anything."
Klein ruffled my hair, his words dripping with sympathy as he exclaimed, "Poor child."
I reminded him again, "We'll have the kidney transplant right after my dad comes around safe and sound."
"I've told you, no need to rush," Klein replied, a faint smile creeping onto his face.
"I'm really grateful for all your help. It'll make my life worthwhile if I can help you with this one thing," I firmly offered.
Klein gazed at the white walls and asked softly, "What are your plans for the future?"
"I guess I'll stay on the island with my dad until he fully recovers. If I still have the chance by then..." I trailed off.
Klein looked at me with a questioning glance, asking, "Then what?"
I shook my head and smiled. "Nothing."
"Tabitha, if you don't have anywhere to go, you can come to my hometown Vancouver. A beautiful coastal city in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It has one of the most picturesque settings of any city in the world. You'll totally love it."
Klein's invitation brought a warm feeling to my heart.
"Okay, I'll come if I have time." I nodded, swearing to myself that I would go there if Dad fully healed.