Third person's POV
Gloria, still in her high heels, hurried towards Tabitha, arms wide open, and enveloped her in a tight embrace.
"Tabitha, you scared the hell out of me. I really thought you..." Gloria's voice trembled, betraying a hint of fear she couldn't quite hide.
"Sorry, it was an emergency," Tabitha responded, patting Gloria's back.
Gloria held her close, scrutinizing her with a pained expression. "How thin you've become. Haven't you been eating properly? You're skin and bones."
Tabitha reached out and pinched Gloria's cheek, smiling. "Don't talk about me. Look at you, busy with work, I bet?"
Gloria's eyes flickered with a moment of discomfort. She turned her head, forcing an awkward expression. "Of course, I'm a corporate hotshot now." She tried to sound proud, but a touch of bitterness welled up inside her.
"I always said you were the best," Tabitha looked at her, her eyes filled with encouragement.
They stood there, hugging for a long time, catching up. Gloria then turned her attention to the little one standing beside Tabitha.
No introduction was needed. The child's features were a carbon copy of Derek's.
"Auntie Gloria," the little one called in a sweet, clear voice.
Gloria's heart melted instantly. Her face lit up with a tender smile as she quickly responded, "Good girl, good girl. Let me hold you."
Ayla reached out her little hands, affectionately hugging Gloria's neck and resting her head on her shoulder.
Gloria held Ayla close, tears streaming down her eyes, her heart a mix of emotions. On the one hand, she was happy for Tabitha finding her daughter; on the other, looking at Ayla brought back memories of her past, memories related to Derek flooding her mind.
Seeing Gloria unable to stop crying, Tabitha felt something was off. She frowned, concerned. "Gloria, are you okay?"
Gloria snapped back to reality, wiping her tears with a flustered hand, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, just too excited to see you. Look at me, so emotional, can't stop the tears." She tried to sound light-hearted, but her trembling hands gave her away.
"It's cold outside, let's sit inside," Tabitha suggested.
"Right, we don't want our little princess to freeze," Gloria adjusted her emotions, seemingly fond of Ayla, holding Ayla tightly all the way, unwilling to let go.
Inside the restaurant, Gloria busied herself, carefully removing Ayla's scarf and hat, chattering away, "Ayla, are you cold? Look at your little nose, all red from the cold, so adorable. What would you like to eat? I'm treating you today." Her movements were gentle and meticulous, her eyes filled with affection.
Tabitha looked around, taking in the restaurant's decor, and sighed, "It's been years since I've been back. The owner hasn't changed, but the decor has."
"Yeah, everything in this world changes, let alone inanimate objects. Sitting here, I really miss our past," Gloria let out a sigh, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
Even in the cold weather, groups of college students could be seen walking together at the street corner. Their faces radiated youthful and lively smiles, as pure as the winter snow, untouched by any worldly impurities.
"You haven't told me what happened later. What's the story with this child?" Gloria looked at Tabitha, her eyes full of questions.
Tabitha slowly recounted everything in detail, leaving Gloria stunned, especially when she heard about Tabitha's near-death experience due to illness. Her eyes instantly welled up with tears, filled with pain. She reached out, gripping Tabitha's hand tightly, her voice choked, "Tabitha, I'm sorry that you're all there alone."
Tabitha shook her head, a relieved smile on her face. "Don't worry. I've made it through and found my daughter. I feel delighted. How about you? How have you been these years?"
"Me? I'm doing great, of course," Gloria straightened her back, her face blooming with a confident smile, "You know my personality. I'm bold in love and hate, and never do I treat myself poorly. I've been promoted and got a raise. I'm at the peak of my life." She tried to make her smile look more brilliant, trying to cover up her inner loneliness and loss with such an appearance.
"And your marriage? Don't tell me, after all these years, you're still thinking about that jerk," Tabitha looked at Gloria, a hint of teasing in her eyes.