Third person's POV
The little girl had already choked on several mouthfuls of seawater. In extreme fear, her body trembled uncontrollably.
"Don't be afraid. Mommy's here to save you," Tabitha tried to soothe the child.
She was so young. There was chaos and noise on the ship, with the pirate ship closing in and the captain directing the crew to fire water cannons in retaliation.
The child's life hung by a thread. In her madness from fear, she struggled wildly.
Tabitha had exhausted all her strength just to keep them afloat. Ayla's constant struggle made it even harder for Tabitha, with her physical strength rapidly dwindling.
The waves were rough, and she had swallowed several mouthfuls of seawater. Despite this, Tabitha still desperately held Ayla, fearing Ayla would choke on the water.
But she felt her strength being drained. Her body grew weaker and weaker.
Tabitha was worried that they would die.
Tabitha cursed her lack of a healthy and strong body, unable to even save her own child.
The rain fell mercilessly from the sky, hitting her face as she bobbed in the sea, holding the child.
She hated the cold indifference of God and her own helplessness. She had finally found her own daughter only to be in such a situation.
Why did it have to be here?
Why did it have to be like this?
Her initial determination began to waver. She wondered what difference it would make if she managed to get back on the ship.
The pirates had probably already targeted them.
Whether she boarded the ship or not, it seemed like a dead end.
Holding the child tightly, with her strength nearly depleted, Tabitha looked at Ayla tenderly in the firelight.
"It's so good to finally see you. I'm sorry that we have to part so soon after meeting."
Tabitha whispered, placing a gentle kiss on Ayla's forehead. "I love you so much. Don't be afraid. No matter what happens, I will always be with you."
She had prepared herself for death, sinking slowly into the depths with Ayla in her arms.
But just then, a man's roar pierced the air, "Ms. Hartley!"
The seawater had already reached her throat. It was about to cover her chin. Tabitha looked up and saw, amidst the fiery light, a tall figure jumping straight into the sea.
Behind the pirate ship, she seemed to see two even larger and more majestic warships approaching—navy vessels!
The same scenario reminded her of her encounter with Derek in the sea years ago.
In her moment of distraction, the man had already plunged into the water. His strong body lifted Tabitha and Ayla above the surface.
"Are you okay?"
He asked amidst the deafening sounds of cannon fire, his voice barely audible.
Tears welled up in Tabitha's eyes. They were saved.
"You're finally here."
She whispered before her eyes closed, and she fell into a deep unconsciousness in Wilmot's arms.
Wilmot's gaze fell on her and the child. He stared at the little girl and remembered the boy he had seen before.
He seemed to realize something, too. For a moment, his eyes flashed with wild joy.
With the support of the warships, the pirates were routed and left in disarray. They were defeated before they could even board the ship.
Tabitha didn't remain unconscious for long. Her will to live brought her quickly back to her senses.
She opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Wilmot, drenched in water.
"Ms. Hartley, how are you? You..."
"Where's that little girl?"
Tabitha clutched Wilmot's arm anxiously, asking, "Where is she? Is she alive or dead?"