Tabitha's POV
I looked at him, my face etched with confusion, and asked, "Is there more?"
Wilmot fidgeted a bit, pulling something from his pocket with a hint of shyness. "A birthday without a gift? That's not right. I found this in an ancient church when I was wandering around. There's a mysterious vein of ore nearby the church, and this moonstone was mined from there. It was then blessed with holy water in the church, considered a sacred item that brings peace and good fortune. I've had several close calls with death, yet I survived as if reborn from the brink. So, I thought I'd give it to you, Ms. Hartley."
In his dark palm rested a crescent moon pendant.
The pendant was hollowed out, with a moonstone inside that emitted a soft glow, dreamlike and enchanting under the light.
"No, this is your lucky charm. How could I accept it?" I quickly declined.
But Wilmot insisted, shoving it into my hand. "Take it. I'm not doing those dangerous things anymore. I hope it brings you good luck. It's not an expensive item, just don't disdain it."
Seeing his persistence, I understood his good intentions.
"Thank you, Wilmot," I said.
After closing the door, I examined the crescent moon pendant closely.
I noticed the chain wasn't gold or silver but woven from colorful threads.
I had only heard of moonstones before. Seeing it in the pendant made it even more beautiful and mysterious.
The design was quite unique.
All I wished for was to recover soon, to be strong, so I hung it around my neck.
I desired nothing more than peace and smooth sailing.
That night, I slept more soundly than ever.
Afterward, my interactions with Wilmot remained the same as before.
He didn't try to get cozy with me because of the previous events.
He still remembered the rules I set, keeping his distance when not needed.
After two more months of recuperation, three months had passed since my last chemotherapy session.
The discomfort from the treatment had lessened significantly. My body was slowly regaining strength. I could walk without a wheelchair.
With this, Wilmot's presence seemed less necessary.
I searched online and found that Derek had gone to Africa and hadn't returned.
This meant it was relatively safer for me to go back to Seattle now.
One day, Orson and Theodora came to visit me.
I took the opportunity to ask if I could return to Seattle by sea, which would be much safer if I wasn't discovered.
"Why do you want to go back? Are you unhappy here?" Orson asked.
"No, no, I'm very happy here. I just have something very important that I need to finish in Seattle. Dr. Romero, I'm asking for your help one more time," I said sincerely.
Theodora shook her head, "No, Tabitha. If you want to leave in half a year, I won't stop you. But it's only been three months. I can't let you go. Isn't Seattle the place that makes you sad? Why do you insist on going back?"
"I have my reasons," I couldn't reveal the real reasons to them.
No matter how they persuaded me, it couldn't change my mind.
They worried I would run away, so they had no choice but to agree.
"Give me a few days to arrange it. But you need to be prepared. The sea journey isn't as easy as you think. If you take a cargo ship, you might be at sea for a month or two. It's very rough, are you okay?" Theodora asked worriedly.
"Yes," I answered without hesitation.
As long as I could see my children, what couldn't I endure?
Even if there were a thousand difficulties ahead, I had to go back.
I, the negligent mother, had missed the most important part of my children's childhood, and now I was full of ideas to make up for it.
"Since you're determined, we won't force you. Just wait for my message," Orson said helplessly.
"Thank you," I responded gratefully.
I looked at Wilmot playing with Tucker in the yard, hesitated for a few seconds, and said, "Wilmot is great, but I don't need a bodyguard now. Could you help him find a good job?"
As if sensing my gaze, Wilmot looked over, giving me his signature goofy smile.