Tabitha's POV
I subconsciously stepped back but forgot that there was an open wardrobe behind me, which now forced me into an even smaller space.
My hands pressed against Derek's chest, and my face felt hot and flushed.
It was a pity that I couldn't ask someone with my phone. What should I do now?
Derek gently scratched the tip of my nose with his finger. "It's cold outside. You should wear more clothes."
With that, he let go of my hand and stepped back. Finally, I could smell the long-lost fresh air. "Okay."
I breathed a sigh of relief. Originally, I thought he was going to do something.
Derek had already left the cloakroom. "Breakfast is ready."
"Okay, I'll be there right away."
After the heat on my face cooled down, I hurriedly went downstairs to have breakfast.
After breakfast, I followed Derek out.
Looking at the million-dollar car parked outside, I swallowed and said, "Is this your car?"
"Mine is yours."
I nervously got in the car. He didn't seem like coveting my money at all!
Could it be that my family was pretending to be bankrupt?
I was a little confused, watching the vehicles zoom past.
Yesterday, there was just a heavy snowfall, and the entire city was covered in white snow, making it look especially dreamy.
The car quickly arrived at the downtown area and stopped at the entrance of a food court.
There were no skyscrapers in this area, only bungalows.
"See if it reminds you of anything. This is where you lived before getting married."
I glanced around this bustling place.
The oven in the snack shop emitted wisps of hot air, and there were women pushing small carts selling roasted corn and brightly colored cotton candy in the food court.
Although I had no recollection in my mind, I felt familiar with every place.
As I arrived at Hope Ranch, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
"Let's go in."
Derek pushed open the door. It was frequently cleaned inside. There were no withered branches or fallen leaves, and even the accumulated snow on the road had been swept away.
A white dog suddenly jumped out from the corner, startling me.
"Woof."
"Don't be afraid. This is the dog you raised since you were little, called Tucker."
I squatted down and Tucker burrowed into my arms.
We hadn't seen each other for so long. Tucker nestled in my arms and I rubbed my face against his head.
"Let me take you to see the things John left behind."
"Okay."
Derek skillfully led me to a room filled with wooden products.
There were baby cradles, rocking horses, rattles, and a wooden sword.
"These..."
"They were all carved by John before he passed away, but unfortunately, he died before our pups were born."
Each wooden product was infused with my father's painstaking efforts.
A strong sense of sorrow suddenly surged in my heart, and before my eyes flashed an image of a thin man carving with a wooden knife.
Especially the wooden sword, the pattern carved on it was very delicate. The wooden sword was not yet finished. There was still a part left.
Tears welled up in my eyes and fell down inexplicably. "These must have taken him quite some time."
"Well, it was just a twist of fate."
Derek wiped tears from the corner of my eyes and said, "Don't cry, Tabitha. It's all in the past. I promised you that you would have me from now on."
I lay on his shoulder, tears rolling down onto his neck.
I said in a choked voice, "Even though I can't remember anything, I still feel sad, Derek. Have I forgotten what I shouldn't forget?"
Derek gently stroked my head, as if comforting a child. "Tabitha, since remembering only brings pain, it's better to forget completely.
"Your father is watching over us from heaven. He would surely want you to live a happy and fulfilling life, rather than being immersed in the sadness of losing him and feeling down every day."