Third person's POV
Tabitha's face turned anxious as she quickly grasped Derek's sleeve, asking, "What do you mean? He was taken away? Where to?"
"Ms. Hartley, please calm down. Let me explain slowly."
He pulled out the surveillance footage, "Look, this man took him away. But from the video, it seems like Helios went willingly. I think he knows this man."
Under Derek's soothing words, Tabitha gradually quieted down and watched the video over and over again.
Although the background was chaotic, Helios seemed to go voluntarily, indeed. The person who took him away was Lucian.
Knowing that Lucian had taken Helios, Tabitha felt a bit more relieved.
After all, in such a chaotic situation, Lucian wouldn't have known she was on the ship. If he jumped down to save Ayla, both children might have been in danger.
He must have seen someone else had already gone to save Ayla. Since he had snuck onto the ship, the consequences would have been dire if he got caught, so he could only leave Ayla behind and escape with Helios.
Tabitha's emotions were complex. Having just found her children, she was now facing the pain of separation again.
"That..." Tabitha stammered.
Derek added, "The girl's name is Ayla."
"Ayla." Tabitha whispered the name to herself.
She had thought of many names, but because the children were born prematurely, the names were never finalized.
Unexpectedly, Lucian had given them two nice names, representing the sun and the moon.
"Where is she?" Tabitha asked urgently.
"Right next door. Let me take you to her."
Forgetting her weakened state, Tabitha hurried to get out of bed. As soon as her toes touched the ground, her body suddenly lurched forward.
Fortunately, Derek caught her in time, and Tabitha found herself involuntarily embracing him.
Feeling dizzy, she tried to get up, but her body was too weak.
"Ms. Hartley, the doctor said you need rest. Let me carry you," Derek offered.
With only thoughts of seeing her daughter, Tabitha did not refuse.
"Alright, thank you."
This was the closest she had been to a man in months while conscious. In her eyes, he was still the honest and simple Wilmot.
Nestled in the arms of this strange man, she felt very uncomfortable.
Although Wilmot's skin was dark, he exuded a faint scent of body wash, lemon-flavored, very refreshing.
Leaning against him, she could feel that despite his seemingly slender appearance, his body was very sturdy.
Tabitha dared not move, as she had only ever been with Derek in her life, and this situation made her very uneasy.
Derek, holding her, was also somewhat restrained, afraid she would discover his identity.
Exiting the room, Tabitha saw Ayla playing by the pool.
She was dressed in a pink swimsuit with small wings on her back.
Her fair and tender cheeks bloomed with the most brilliant smile under the sun.
That smile was so innocent and carefree that it could heal everything.
Seeing Ayla standing there unscathed, smiling at strangers, Tabitha couldn't describe the beauty of this moment in words.
The island's scenery was beautiful, somewhat resembling the island Derek had created specifically for Tabitha.
Under the blue sky and white clouds lay a grove of coconut trees.
With soothing music, staff wielded bubble machines. Countless small bubbles danced around Ayla.
She giggled, her laughter healing and pure.
Turning her head, Ayla saw Tabitha and ran towards her joyfully.
"Mommy."
Derek put Tabitha down. As soon as Ayla's feet touched the ground, she threw herself into Tabitha's arms.