Third person's POV
Tabitha's voice wasn't loud, but each word hit home, leaving Derek speechless.
Yes, he had hurt her so deeply. How could she possibly consider getting back together with him?
He was being utterly unrealistic.
Seeing Derek's silence, Tabitha's face flickered with discomfort as she said, "I'm sorry, I lost my composure just now."
"No, people like your ex-husband, I think he couldn't make up for the pain he caused you even if he died a hundred times," Derek replied.
"I just hope we never meet again in this life, as if we had never known each other," Tabitha added.
Derek recomposed himself and asked, "I understand. So we need to sneak back to Seattle without him finding out, right?"
"Yes, that's why I followed the captain to smuggle myself back before, and encountering pirates was just an unfortunate event. Now that this route is gone, we have to think of another way," Tabitha explained.
"Don't worry, I'll handle this," Derek assured her.
Tabitha had only intended for him to help brainstorm, so she was surprised when he said this. "Can you really do it?"
"I've been around the world for so many years, I know some not-so-bright paths."
Derek's expression turned serious. "Ms. Hartley, you can always trust me."
They locked eyes, and Tabitha saw sincerity in Derek's gaze.
The color contacts he wore hid his original eye color, which appeared somewhat yellowish to Tabitha.
For some reason, she felt a strange sensation in her heart.
Suddenly, Derek knelt on one knee, gently lifting her hand. His action was not at all frivolous but instead full of solemnity and gravity, like a medieval knight.
"I will never betray you," he said.
That was a statement that sounded like a promise, surpassing the ordinary relationship between master and servant.
Tabitha was taken aback, her mind going blank. She hadn't expected such a gesture from Wilmot.
What did it mean?
Before she could ponder it over, Derek had already stood up and said, "I'll make the arrangements. It might take a few more days."
Tabitha nodded absentmindedly, her hand and cheeks tingling from his touch.
Was this a confession?
Probably not.
In the past, Tabitha might have had some confidence, as she had many admirers in school.
But when Wilmot first met her, she was critically ill and her appearance was haggard.
Anyone with discernment wouldn't have been attracted to her at that time.
Tabitha even went back to her room to look in the mirror.
Her head was covered with only a few centimeters of hair, even shorter than the leaves of a potted plant.
Her features were not defective, but overall, she looked quite odd.
It must have been just a literal meaning. She shouldn't read too much into it.
As Tabitha's anxious thoughts swirled, Derek returned to his usual demeanor, which relieved Tabitha.
She had said it couldn't be that reason. If Wilmot really liked her, their future interactions would be awkward.
Derek continued to keep his distance from her, his gaze calm, only showing tenderness occasionally when facing Ayla.
"Ms. Hartley, we can leave here in three days," Derek said.
Tabitha immediately brightened up, asking, "You've really found a way?"
"Yes, I contacted an old friend. We can take a private ship to get near Seattle," Derek replied.
"A private ship?" Tabitha was puzzled.
"Well... it's a ship that's not quite legal or compliant. The people on board often engage in illegal transactions. They'll take the ship to the high seas for trading and then return afterward. If we follow them, we can blend in and get to Seattle. These ships usually have backing and can avoid inspections."