Third person's POV
Hearing Tabitha talking about him, Gloria was struck by the realization of how much time had passed since her last relationship.
She paused for a moment, then feigned nonchalance, saying, "Why would I miss him? Wouldn't it be better to have money to support ten or eight muscular hunks? Why bother remembering his little love affairs? I'm a clear winner in life now. Women, we should focus on our careers, not fall into the trap of love."
As she spoke, she exaggeratedly waved her arms, trying to make her words more convincing.
Tabitha, hearing Gloria's words, couldn't help but smile, "Stop humiliating me, please."
Upon reuniting with Tabitha, Gloria noticed a significant change in her. She had become much more cheerful and even joked with her from time to time.
Gloria reached out and affectionately patted Tabitha's head.
With a relieved smile on her face, she said, "My Tabitha has finally emerged from the shadows of that relationship. I'm so happy for you."
"Yes, it used to feel like I was trapped in an endless abyss of darkness, living in agony, each day like a torment. But ever since I met my child, it was as if invisible hands parted the thick fog in front of me, and suddenly life seemed meaningful, and everything was worth it," Tabitha looked up, her eyes shimmering with hope and happiness as she spoke slowly.
Gloria's gaze was fixed on Ayla, a hint of envy unconsciously leaking into her eyes. She opened her mouth and whispered, "I'm happy for you."
"Haven't you met anyone in these years with whom you could develop feelings?" Seeing Gloria's obvious fondness for children, Tabitha couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
For some reason, Tabitha always felt that whenever this topic came up, Gloria's expression would become somewhat uncomfortable, her body would tense up, and then she would quickly change the subject.
"Although my charm remains undiminished from the past, there're quite some guys pursuing me, but I'm just too busy. Where do I find the time to date?" Gloria laughed nonchalantly, her eyes a bit wandering, trying to cover up her true feelings with exaggerated words.
Tabitha covered her lips and chuckled, saying, "The busy bee manages to find time to see me amidst her chaos. Shouldn't I feel incredibly fortunate?"
"We're besties. Do we even need to talk about it? Even if I were about to do something extreme, I'd make sure to clear my schedule to see you first," Gloria said half-jokingly, but with a hint of seriousness in her eyes.
"Tut-tut, you're such a pessimist. Don't you know that good things don't come true, but bad ones do?" Tabitha frowned, pretending to be angry and scolding.
"After a few years, how come you've become more and more superstitious? I remember you never believed in fate or anything like that before," Gloria propped her chin with both hands, staring intently at Tabitha as if studying something novel, then concluded solemnly.
"Perhaps this is the price we pay for growth," Tabitha sighed helplessly, her eyes revealing a hint of weariness and sentiment.
"Honestly, what are your plans for the future?" Gloria asked with concern.
Tabitha shook her head, a look of helplessness on her face, saying, "First, I need to find a way to repay Dr. Romero."
"But then Derek will know you're still alive," Gloria's face turned pale instantly upon hearing this response.
She thought to herself, 'No. He must already know.'
When Tabitha called her not long ago, there were so many bodyguards around, and Alpha Leopold knew she was there to see Tabitha.
If Leopold knew, then Derek knew.
"Let him know. If this is my fate, then I can only accept it with grace," Tabitha looked up, her eyes filled with determination and open-mindedness.
Gloria's gaze was filled with heartache. She knew all too well the pain and tribulations Tabitha had endured, those hard times flashing through her mind like movie scenes.
"Let's not talk about these unhappy things on the day of our reunion. Here's to our reunion!" Gloria forced a smile and raised her cup.
"Alright, let's drink our hearts out tonight!" Tabitha also raised her cup, her eyes twinkling with a long-lost excitement.