Derek's POV
Tabitha's behavior was somewhat peculiar as she slightly lowered her head.
I noticed that her ears seemed to have turned red.
After all, her recent demeanor suggested a hint of shyness or emotional unrest.
She ordered a bunch of dishes, but she just picked at them and didn't really eat much.
She had a small appetite and got full quickly.
My mom gave a slight frown and told her, "If you can't finish it, just don't. One meal won't bankrupt the Thunder Pack, and even if it did, it's not our problem."
Tabitha appeared very surprised.
So did I. This was quite different from how I imagined a mom would act.
"Sorry, I thought..." Tabitha pursed her lips as if wanting to confess something.
My mom continued her unfinished sentence, "You thought I would give you a hard time and you couldn't enjoy this meal, so you ate outside earlier."
"Yes, I am very sorry."
"No need to apologize. I had intended to give you a hard time anyway."
Tabitha looked helpless, and I guessed she might be wondering why my mom didn't play by the rules.
Tabitha seemed to have no idea how to respond.
"I was also worried that I would have no appetite when I saw you, so I ate outside in advance. If you're not hungry, let's take a walk together and digest."
My mom extended an invitation, and Tabitha couldn't refuse naturally. She quickly wiped her mouth and stood up. "Okay."
There was only me left facing a table full of food.
Seeing my mom about to have a private conversation with Tabitha, the shadow from when I was three years old instantly rushed into my mind. Without hesitation, I rose to shield Tabitha.
"What? Are you afraid that I will hurt her?"
"I am afraid that you will push her down from upstairs."
My mom's face didn't betray much emotion, but I could sense a hint of helplessness in her voice. "Is this how a son speaks to his mother? I should have never brought you into this world."
I responded, "I didn't really want to be born into this family either."
After all, my mom had numerous thoughts of killing me since I was young.
Rome wasn't built in a day, and my mom's transformation couldn't be achieved overnight.
My mom let out a sigh and admitted, "I wasn't perfect in the past. I went through a rough time back then, but I've turned the corner and I won't make those mistakes again. If you're not convinced, come for a walk with me."
Tabitha was left aside by the two of us.
So, she sat down again and ate some fruit.
The servant respectfully approached her and said, "Luna Tabitha, your room has been tidied up. You can go upstairs to rest if you're tired."
"Okay." Tabitha followed the servant upstairs.
Thunder Pack looked much wealthier than the Black Thorn Pack.
I didn't know if Tabitha would be surprised when she saw that the room was even bigger than the flat.
The bathroom here was as big as an ordinary person's house.
The super-large electric massage bathtub could accommodate at least four to five people.
I was not worried about Tabitha. I had already instructed the maids to run a bath for her.
Then the maid would change the dressing on Tabitha's hand.
There was still a service bell in her room, so the Omega could come up anytime if needed.
In the courtyard, I followed my mom at a leisurely pace.
Our shadows were stretched long under the reflection of the light.
"This is the first time, right? We took a walk together."
I lowered my head, and the fine hair covered my eyes.
"When I was a child, I used to chase after you, but you kicked me away." At that time, I was only a little over one year old, with my arms wide open, wanting to embrace my mom, but she kicked me away with her foot.
My mom stopped in her tracks and looked at me, who was a head taller than her.
I guessed that when my mom was looking at me, she was thinking that I looked very much like that person.
I asked, "So you hated me, right?"
My mom stood there for a long time, knowing that the things she had done could never be forgiven by anyone.
She changed the subject. "I heard you saw Elena?"