Tabitha's POV
Level B3. The elevator doors slid open, and a blast of cold air hit me right in the face.
Derek removed his coat and draped it over me; it was colder here than it had been above.
This was my first time in a place like this, and it was unlike anything I'd seen in films or on TV.
The corridor lights were very bright, but as the excessively bright incandescent light shone on the walls, this place appeared even more desolate.
An elderly man stood by the entrance to the morgue, having been instructed by his superior to wait for our arrival.
"Alpha Derek, Tabitha, the body's been prepped for viewing, but it's still a corpse—so brace yourselves."
I said in a hoarse voice, "Open the door."
As soon as it swung open, I saw a body covered with a white sheet.
Derek explained quietly, "I've kept this under wraps for now; her family doesn't know yet."
I walked towards the body step by step. I had been asleep for three days.
To me, what happened that night felt like it just went down—I could still remember the pain tearing through my body and how loud the wind was, how icy that seawater felt against my skin.
With trembling hands, I slowly pulled back the sheet bit by bit.
Joanna's face gradually came into view. Even though her body hadn't decayed in this freezing environment, there were countless livor mortis marks on her skin.
Just not long ago she had been so full of joy—her smile lighting up like sunshine.
Now she lay there looking lifeless in this cold place.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.
"I'm so sorry, Joanna. I'm really sorry." I sank to my knees on the floor, gripping that white sheet tightly with shaking fingers.
I remembered the first time I met Joanna. She had been carefully wrapping trimmed flower branches at Rose Manor.
When she was caught by me, she nervously hid the flower behind her back, blushing and stammering like a guilty child, "Tabitha... Ms. Hartley, I didn't steal the flowers. I just thought it was a waste to throw them away. I..."
Even though her hand was pricked by thorns from those flowers, she didn't seem to care one bit.
"It's all right, Ms. Hartley. People like us are different from someone as delicate as you. I've been cooking, buying groceries, and cleaning since I was little. A small wound is nothing to worry about."
"You're younger than me, Ms. Hartley. Why do you always seem so down? You're so good-looking, and I bet you'll look even better when you smile."
"As long as you don't mind, I will be your family from now on and I will definitely take good care of you."
"Darlings, you must be good in your mommy's belly. When you come out, I will take you out for delicious food."
"Tabitha, my crush is coming back!"
"He is the best person I have ever met. I really like him."
"Austin confessed his love to me. Tabitha, do you know how long I've been waiting for this day? I feel like I have the whole world now!"
"After you give birth, you've gotta meet Austin. Then you will know how great he is."
"I... I said I'd definitely...protect, protect you well, forever. Goodbye, Tabitha."
We stayed in the same house for only about six months, but I had grown accustomed to her close care and came to see her as family.
I even planned to prepare a generous gift for her and hoped to live well until the day Joanna got married.
It must be a wonderful thing to see Joanna marry her beloved man and fulfill her childhood dream.
But the girl who was infatuated with her dreamboat did not get married. Instead, her beloved took her life.
I couldn't even imagine how desperate and sad Joanna was back then!
Austin not only took away Joanna's life but also personally trampled on the love she had for him all these years.
How could someone bear to shoot such a wonderful person?
Tears of regret, resentment, and anger streamed down my cheeks.
Derek gently embraced me and said, "If you need to cry, just let it out."
In the dimly lit room, I knelt on the ground while Derek held me close.
I clung desperately to his shirt, crying hoarsely with all my strength.