Tabitha's POV
Joanna recounted what had happened this morning.
"Come to think of it, John looked like he was trying to stay calm. Before we talked, he seemed to be tearing something apart."
With that, she tipped over the trash can that hadn't been cleaned out yet. And something bright red stood out like a sore thumb.
"What is this?" Joanna scrambled to piece that thing back together. "Oh no, it's the wedding invitation. John must have seen it. And he borrowed my phone before saying he was heading back to his room. Could it be that he was already in the hotel?"
My heart sank. "When did it happen?"
"About half an hour ago."
"Shit, get the car ready! I'm heading over there right now! I have to stop Dad!"
He hadn't been in touch with the outside world for over two years, so he had no idea what had happened.
If he found out about Holly's death and Derek's betrayal in his current state, there was no way he could handle it.
I immediately tried calling Derek, but he wouldn't pick up the phone. Perhaps he was busy drinking with the guests.
I then dialed Alvin's number, yet he didn't answer, either.
I freaked out, my face pale. Seriously, what was wrong with Daphne?
On her wedding day, she still got time to pull this disgusting stunt.
Joanna looked guilty as hell. "I'm sorry, Tabitha. It's all my fault. I should've been more careful. If I had caught on sooner, I wouldn't have let John leave! If anything happens to him, I'll never forgive myself."
"This isn't your fault."
The messy history between Derek and me was something even Dad didn't know about, so how could Joanna possibly know it?
She took my hands in hers, her palms full of sweat.
"Try to relax, Tabitha, you are pregnant. It would be bad for the babies if you got too emotional."
"Okay, I will," I replied while taking a sip of water.
But my heart was racing like crazy, and I had this awful feeling creeping in.
Every time my gut told me something was off, it usually turned out to be true!
'Dad, please be okay, I'm begging you,' I prayed in my heart.
"Drive faster! We need to hurry!" I shouted.
The chauffeur frowned, replying, "Tabitha, it's not that I don't want to, but there are speed limits on this road and many sharp turns. Alpha Derek specifically told me to prioritize your safety."
I couldn't sit still for a second, keeping dialing numbers.
"Just pick up, come on! Are they all dead? Why is nobody answering the phone at this critical moment?" I muttered.
I lost track of how many calls I made until finally hearing Derek's familiar voice. "Tabitha?"
He sounded surprised. Guessed he noticed all those missed calls from me.
"Have you seen my dad?"
"Your dad? No." I finally felt a bit relieved, so Dad hadn't found Derek yet.
"This morning, Daphne had someone deliver an invitation to me, and Dad happened to see it. Shortly after, he disappeared from the villa. I guessed he had probably headed straight for the wedding venue. You know that he's clueless about what had happened between us, right? With his condition, he can't handle any kind of shock!"
"I understand, Tabitha, don't worry. I've got some stuff to wrap up, but I'll be at the wedding venue soon. I'll ask someone to start looking for him now. It's gonna be OK."
I furrowed my brows, panic creeping into my voice as I said, "Derek, I have no other family left. He's all that I have now. I can't let anything happen to him!"
"Don't worry. It'll be fine. If there's any news, I'll inform you right away."
Even though I had Derek's promise, I still couldn't relax. I glanced at my phone, realizing I would get to the hotel in five minutes.
'Almost there...' I murmured, my anxiety spiking.
"I gotta find Dad. He can't handle any more blows!"