Third person's POV
Tabitha remained silent. She hoped to slip free while Derek's attention was elsewhere, but the drug had taken its toll.
Not only did she fail to break her bonds, but the effects left her feeling dizzy, nauseous, and utterly drained of strength.
Derek swiftly assisted her in lying down, his voice gentle yet firm. "Tabitha, try not to move."
At that moment, she lacked the strength to move, and each attempt only intensified her dizziness. The only relief she found was in closing her eyes tightly against the discomfort that washed over her.
Chemotherapy was a lengthy process compared to routine intravenous injections. It continued until nightfall when the final bottle was nearly empty.
Throughout this time, Derek stayed by her side, his patience unwavering, though his anxiety was palpable, fearing she might not be able to endure the medicine's effects before she completed her treatment.
Fortunately, despite her weakness, Tabitha managed to finish the last of the chemotherapy drugs.
At that moment, Tabitha dared not move, the familiar sensation of dizziness overwhelming her once more.
She didn't even dare to open her eyes; the vertigo was that intense.
Derek asked Orson, "Why is her reaction so severe during her first treatment?"
"Yes, her condition is relatively stable. Many patients can't endure the chemotherapy to the end, but she at least made it through. The first three days are the worst for side effects, and after that, the discomfort should gradually lessen. Twenty-one days make up one cycle, and the next round will be scheduled accordingly, depending on the effectiveness and her physical state this time, of course."
Derek gazed at the woman lying motionless in the bed, her frailty only deepening his sense of guilt.
"Today was manageable, but it will deteriorate starting tomorrow. Make sure to encourage her to drink plenty of water to help detoxify, and also to increase her protein intake. After chemotherapy, her levels of white and red blood cells will plummet, and she may feel nauseous, losing her appetite. You must persuade her to eat and monitor her vital indicators closely. Should they drop below normal, immediate action is necessary."
Derek listened intently, committing every piece of advice from Orson to memory.
After Orson finished his patient explanation, Derek suddenly spoke, "Thank you. I'm sorry for everything in the past."
Orson seemed taken aback. "It's rare to hear such words from you. That matter is long behind us, and truth be told, I should thank you as well. If not for you, I wouldn't have found my beloved. My feelings for Tabitha are purely platonic now. Her past is so tragic. It's hard not to want to care for her more. Moreover, I've gained a lot from my studies over the past two years, so it's not like I've lost out."
"Tabitha's not in a good state of mind. Could you try to cheer her up a bit more?"
Orson shook his head helplessly. "Alpha Derek, her burden isn't because of me, but because of you. Let her rest while she can still sleep. She won't be able to for the next three days. Fortunately, the toxins from two years ago have been neutralized by herbal remedies. Each round of chemotherapy increases the side effects. By the fifth or sixth round, every inch of her skin will be in agony, making her wish for death. But if Tabitha can hold on until then, it would be a good sign. She's so ill now, and I fear that she..."
"There will never be that day," Derek interjected quickly.
Orson wisely chose to say no more. "I'll leave first. Call if you need anything."
Derek returned to the ward to see Tabitha had drifted off, her face etched with a palpable fragility.
She managed to get some sleep that night, but the next morning, as soon as Tabitha opened her eyes and tried to get out of bed to head to the bathroom, she found herself struggling.
It felt like someone had pulled the strength right out from under her feet. Her head felt heavy, and all of a sudden, her body just collapsed to the ground.
"Tabitha!" Derek called out, his voice filled with concern.