Tabitha's POV
"Tabitha, Daphne needs me now."
The sentence echoed in my mind, conjuring images of my unassuming past self and the imperious Derek.
Was there any hint of affection in his tone toward me?
Suddenly, memories of Derek came flooding back to me.
He regarded me with a gaze that made me feel utterly worthless as if I were nothing more than trash.
He said to me coldly, "Tabitha, why haven't you died yet?"
What could I have done in the past to warrant such intense disdain from him?
At the thought of these matters, my mind was overwhelmed by a piercing pain, which became almost unbearable to endure.
"Tabitha, what's wrong? Are you in pain again?" Derek anxiously grabbed my hand and asked.
With difficulty, I raised my gaze and clasped his wrist firmly from behind, my voice dripping with iciness. "Derek, why are you still alive?"
Derek's face turned to stone, and in the next instant, I flung off his hand. "You wanted me dead, didn't you? Alright, I'll stop the treatment. I'll be gone soon, just as you wished."
It was obvious that I recollected a new memory, which sent a wave of fear and unease through Derek.
I knew that this was precisely what he dreaded the most.
"Tabitha, there were indeed misunderstandings between us in the past, but those have been cleared up for a long time now. Don't dwell on them. What matters to me now is that you live a good life."
"What if I refuse chemotherapy?"
"Tabitha, if there was any way to avoid chemotherapy, I wouldn't take this step. But right now, this is our best shot. Just give me a little time, okay? I swear I'll do everything I can to find a way to save you."
No matter how much Derek tried to convince me, it just didn't sink in. "No need."
"Tabitha, don't push me on this," Derek said. He reached out and gently touched my face, his eyes a bit bloodshot, looking at me with a troubled gaze.
"Derek, I didn't get a say in being born, but I've got the right to choose how I live the rest of my life. Let me go. In these last moments, all I want is to go out with dignity."
Derek was just as stubborn. 'I'm sorry, Tabitha, but keeping you alive is all I want.'"
He coldly ordered Orson, "You may begin."
There was still an IV needle in the back of my hand. As Orson hung up the medicine bag, I started to struggle upon seeing that.
But I couldn't match Derek's strength. He quickly pinned me down and I couldn't move an inch.
My wolf, weakened, was unable to respond to my call at all.
All I could do was glare at Derek defiantly. "I swear I'll pull this needle out if you don't stop holding me down." Seeing my determination, Orson quickly chimed in, "Tabitha, these chemo drugs are corrosive. It's not safe if they spill, so you really should just cooperate and stay still."
"Derek, let go! I don't want chemotherapy," I protested. Derek held me firmly, his voice gentle but insistent as he soothed me, "Tabitha, just hold on. It won't be long now. You're going to pull through this, I promise."
What difference did it make if I was getting better or struggling in a life like this?
It was just like living dead, day after day.
One of us was hell-bent on leaving, the other on staying put. We both pushed with all our might in opposite directions. In the end, all we had was a lose-lose situation.
Unfortunately, all the bystanders were powerless. They could only watch helplessly as things unfolded.
"Alpha Derek, it's done. Please calm down Tabitha's emotions and avoid further provoking her. Also, in a while, she will be given a liver-protecting medicine which may cause nausea and dizziness, so make sure she doesn't move around too much."
As of now, Orson could only do this much for me. After giving Derek a heads-up, he left.
Only Derek remained, holding me tightly in his arms.
I was held captive by him, looking quite grim. "Why bother?"
"As long as you were alive, I was willing to do anything, Tabitha. Promise me not to give up, okay?"