Third person's POV
Little Ayla found the complex emotions of adults hard to comprehend, her eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.
Derek's emotions were like a raging storm within him.
"Sweetheart, you must have suffered a lot over the years, haven't you?" he asked.
Suffer?
Ayla didn't know what suffering meant. All she knew was that being with Helios and Lucian was happiness.
"By the way, are you hungry?" Derek quickly ordered various delicious foods and drinks to be brought over.
Being a child, her eyes lit up at the sight of the spread.
However, just as she was about to dig in, her excitement dimmed, and she softly said, "Helios."
Derek gently stroked Ayla's head, "Don't worry. I've sent people to pick up Helios. You'll be reunited with him soon. Eat up, there will be food for Helios, too."
It was evident that the child was very hungry, but she ate slowly, with an innate elegance in her demeanor.
Although Alya looked much like Derek, her manners and grace were inherited from Tabitha.
The more Derek looked at Ayla, the more delighted he felt. It didn't matter that she couldn't call him 'Dad' just yet. As long as she was alive and he could see her, that was enough.
Halfway through her meal, Ayla noticed Derek just staring at her, not eating. She kindly pushed a plate of pastries towards Derek and said, "Eat."
Such a simple gesture brought tears to Derek's eyes.
He hugged Ayla tightly again and said, "Good girl."
Ayla thought Derek was quite peculiar, but she didn't dislike him at all.
She cautiously observed his face, thinking how handsome he was.
He was also very patient, removing fish bones and feeding her the tender meat. He told her stories and comforted her that Helios would come soon. And he even gave her candy. Ayla liked Derek very much.
As day broke, the sea gradually calmed down.
The rain stopped abruptly, and the sky cleared up.
Tabitha's high fever came and went, sometimes subsiding, other times spiking, lasting for several days on end.
The ship finally docked at an island.
Free from the ship's constant rocking, Tabitha finally regained consciousness.
She opened her eyes to the glaring sunlight and raised her hand to shield her eyes.
Just waking up, she had been sustained by nutrient solutions for the past few days, feeling groggy and her head heavy.
Until a man's voice rang in her ears, "How are you feeling?"
Tabitha's eyes fluttered, and her mind slowly started to function.
"I..."
She held her head, sitting up groggily, and Derek quickly adjusted the pillow for her, helping her sit comfortably.
"We're on an island now. You fell into the sea a few nights ago and have been running a fever for several days. How do you feel now?"
"Headache." She croaked, "Water."
As soon as she spoke, Derek brought water to her lips, "Here you are."
At that moment, Tabitha didn't worry about the children. She drank water instinctively, some of it spilling down her chin due to her eagerness.
"No rush."
Derek reached out to wipe away the residual water from the corner of her mouth. The moment his fingers touched her, Tabitha looked at him warily.
Derek then realized his current identity.
He smoothly changed the subject, saying, "You've just woken up. For now, you can only have some liquid food. Don't worry, I've prepared everything."
After drinking some water, Tabitha felt a bit more relaxed.
"Where are the kids?"
Derek's expression was somewhat grave as he said, "Ayla is here, but Helios was taken away by someone. His whereabouts are still unknown..."