Derek's POV
After consulting Kamp, I learned that pregnant women were very emotionally unstable.
I knew Tabitha held a grudge against me, so I'd been staying away from her for several months, just to give her some space to focus on her pregnancy.
Today's news about the female corpse seemed to really get to her, and she couldn't stop crying.
I wiped away her tears with a warm towel and gently comforted her, "She was just a stranger, not your relative or something. You don't need to be upset or guilty. If she knew what you'd done for her, she would definitely be grateful. It was you who helped her leave that place and reunite with her family."
She sniffled and mumbled, "It's probably because we share the same last name. Knowing that she was Klein's sister, I feel like losing someone close to me."
As she said this, she seemed to realize how silly she sounded and shook her head with a resigned look. "I'm just being too sensitive. Don't worry. I'll take care of myself."
Then she fixed her gaze on me with misty eyes. "Klein did help me with some things recently. Since he's older than me, I take him as my older brother. There's nothing shady going on between us."
I pursed my lips and looked at her seriously. "Got it."
It seemed that my misunderstanding about them having an affair really left a deep mark on her.
"It's getting late. You should get some rest," I told her. With that, I turned and left the room.
The frangipanis and bougainvilleas in the courtyard were in full bloom, but I was chain-smoking absent-mindedly, not in the mood to enjoy them at all.
My mind was a mess. Now, I was just as cautious and worried as Tabitha used to be, torn between wanting to be close to her and fearing I might hurt her again.
I could only keep my distance and watch over her from afar, not daring to do anything.
After sitting in the courtyard for a long time, I finally snapped out of it and dialed Alvin's number.
"Go and check the Hartley family."
"You mean Tabitha's family?"
"No, Klein's family in Canada. See if they're missing any kids."
"Got it."
Then, I waited until Tabitha had fallen asleep and tiptoed into her room.
Watching her peaceful sleeping face, I gradually felt my heavy mood lift.
There were currently no clues about Tabitha's background.
Since she had this unfamiliar yet familiar connection with Klein, I wanted to dig into it even though they didn't look alike.
While I was gazing at Tabitha attentively, I noticed a spot under the silk blanket moving slightly.
I was both surprised and delighted, wondering, 'Is this a fetal movement?'
The blanket was very thin, snug against Tabitha's body.
After making sure she was asleep, I slowly placed my hand on the bump, stealing glances at her from time to time.
The pups seemed to be having a wild time inside, kicking up a storm.
Normally, Tabitha would've woken up by now. But today she didn't. She must've been too exhausted, I guessed.
I then plucked up my courage and reached my hand into the blanket, placing it over her silk nightgown.
Through the thin layer of silk, I could feel the pups' movements more clearly.
She was only five months along, and the twins were already so active. I started to worry if she would be able to handle it when she reached the later stages of her pregnancy.
As if sensing my presence, the pups gradually calmed down, and the fetal movement came to a halt.
Just when I was about to withdraw my hand, Tabitha opened her eyes, staring at me with a wary look.
"Why are you in my room? What are you doing?" she asked in a cold voice.