Third person's POV
Just then, a soft "knock knock" sounded on the door, like a basin of cold water dumped over Derek.
He quickly disengaged from Tabitha. What was he doing? Taking advantage of her sleep to do such a thing.
If Tabitha were to wake up at this moment, he wouldn't be able to explain himself.
Derek strode to the door, a hint of tension on his face, "What's up?"
Rolf rubbed his eyes. Was it his illusion? Did Derek's face seem flushed?
"Uh... the doctor asked me to bring this fever reducer. It's time for Tabitha to take it."
"Alright." Derek took it silently, "Any news of Lucian?"
"The sea is rough at night, and the drones can't be controlled. We haven't found his whereabouts yet, but don't worry. He can't get far with Kyrian."
"Understood, inform me the moment there's any news."
"Got it."
Derek closed the door again and walked back to Tabitha's side. She still showed no signs of waking up. He then placed his hand on her forehead. There was no sign of the fever subsiding.
Derek stood there, his brows knitted tightly as he stared at the fever reducer clutched in his hand.
Tabitha lay before him, completely unconscious, her face flushed with the heat of fever.
Panic and uncertainty swirled within Derek. He knew she needed the medicine, but the task seemed fraught with difficulty. How on earth was he supposed to administer it?
Various ideas surfaced in his mind one after another. He weighed various options quickly. There was no one around to assist him, and he couldn't just let her condition worsen.
After what felt like a century, it dawned on him that, despite his misgivings, there seemed to be no better solution.
With a deep breath, he mustered his resolve. He carefully crushed the pill between his fingers, his hands trembling ever so slightly.
Then, with the utmost caution, he gently opened Tabitha's lips and placed the crushed powder into her mouth, praying that it would help with Tabitha's fever.
At first, Tabitha resisted the foreign object, but gradually, she swallowed it involuntarily.
Seeing her finally swallow the pill, Derek let out a breath and covered Tabitha with a blanket before quietly leaving the room.
Now, he couldn't meet with Tabitha.
He went to another room and looked at the little girl in the cradle.
He was used to Kyrian's face. It turned out that such a similar face on a girl was not jarring at all.
His fingers gently touched Ayla's face. It was soft and small. Derek was afraid to hurt her with too much force.
She was just a tiny bit, like a feather.
Gradually, her little lashes, like brushes, quivered. Before he could leave, a pair of clear eyes met his sight.
Ayla's big eyes blinked, staring at the very handsome uncle in front of her.
"Uncle," she called in a childish voice.
Derek felt both heartache and sorrow. It was his daughter, after all.
But he dared not admit it. He feared his identity would alert Tabitha.
Ayla was too young to understand the complexity in Derek's eyes.
It was like a vast and deep sea that she couldn't comprehend.
But she still reached out her small hand, wanting to hold his.
Derek pulled Alya into his arms, his voice low and emotional, "I've finally seen you."
Every time he thought of Ayla, his heart ached unbearably in those countless painful nights.
He bought so many clothes and prepared so many toys for the kids. But in the end, he only learned about the death of his kid. His pain was no less than that of Tabitha.
Now, reunited with his child, he held her carefully. Warm tears fell onto Ayla's neck.
Ayla, puzzled, looked up at the golden eyes, her soft little hand wiping away the tears from the corner of his eyes, tilting her head, "Uncle?"
She didn't understand why this strange yet familiar uncle was crying like this.