Tabitha's POV
Orson agreed to my request and promised to take care of all the arrangements.
I was deeply grateful to him.
On this day, I asked the housekeeper to cook a full table of delicious dishes and made an exception to invite Wilmot to the dining table.
Wilmot stood there, looking extremely uneasy, clearly sensing something was off.
I said to him softly, "Sit down and eat with us."
He responded with some hesitation, "But Ms. Hartley, you had set certain rules..."
I spoke again, "Just sit."
So Wilmot stopped insisting, sat up straight, and held himself rigid.
However, he didn't immediately pick up his knife and fork. Instead, he asked first, "Ms. Hartley, do you no longer need me to serve you?"
In the past week or so, I've been able to move around on my own, no longer needing a wheelchair.
Each time I go out, he only follows me at a certain distance and helps carry things.
In fact, I've noticed that although he seems simple and honest on the outside, he's actually very perceptive inside.
I explained to him, "Now I can handle my daily affairs on my own. There's not much for you to do if you keep following me. Don't worry, I've asked Mr. Romero to find you a good job."
The reason I set those strict rules initially was that I didn't want to have complicated relationships with anyone.
But after these months of interaction, Wilmot had been wholeheartedly devoted to me. I couldn't just treat him as an insignificant stranger to be ordered around.
I said to him sincerely, "You're not young anymore. Don't go back to those dangerous and illegal activities. There are many ways to make money in this world. You're inherently good. Choose a legal and compliant path. Live a stable and peaceful life. Find a partner and have a few kids. That's the right direction."
Wilmot listened quietly, then picked up his knife and fork and responded in a low voice, "Okay, I see."
I'm not sure if my words touched a soft spot in his heart, but suddenly, the atmosphere around us became heavy.
Seeing this, I didn't say anything more and just finished my meal in silence.
When Wilmot got up to leave, he suddenly asked me, "When do you plan to leave here, Ms. Hartley?"
"In a week," I said instinctively, but then I stopped.
I hadn't told him about my departure, yet he guessed my intention and made me reveal the truth without any guard.
When he met my surprised gaze, Wilmot explained, "Actually, I've known for a while that your heart doesn't belong here. You often gaze at the sky as if you're a bird trapped in a cage. Although your illness has chained your actions and limited your range, now that you're recovering, the chains are loosening. So, you can't wait to break free and go further."
I smiled helplessly and said, "Your description is very fitting."
"No matter what journey you plan to embark on, I just hope you have a safe and smooth trip."
After saying this, he bowed to me and then turned and left.
I watched his receding figure, a mix of emotions welling up inside me. That was a feeling that slowly spread in my heart, indescribable in words.
Wilmot left as decisively as when he first arrived.
Tucker didn't know this time was a permanent departure and happily chased after him, only to be locked inside the house.
Tucker has grown a lot and now sits by the door, cocking his head. His big eyes were full of confusion, as if wondering why he wasn't taken this time.
I watched Wilmot walk further and further away, silently marveling that there indeed is no feast that doesn't eventually end.
Whenever we've interacted with someone or something with our hearts, facing parting always stirs up an involuntary sense of reluctance.
I slowly stood up, walked to Tucker, gently held him in my arms, and stroked his head tenderly.
I said to Tucker, "Little guy, he's gone. He won't be back."
Upon hearing this, Tucker broke free from my embrace. He leaped over the fence and quickly disappeared from my sight.