Third person's POV
Gloria held Helios on her lap, skillfully peeling a grape and feeding it to him, her experience with children evident.
"Feeling better now that it's out," she said, watching the child play quietly nearby.
Tabitha casually inquired, "Why did you hold back on the day we met, only to tell me today?"
Gloria had her excuse ready, responding, "You had just returned to the States, and I didn't know your situation. I was afraid it would cause you trouble."
Tabitha peeled a few more grapes before setting them aside when Helios indicated he'd had enough.
She then looked at Gloria and said slowly, "You weren't afraid of causing me trouble. You were afraid I would leave, weren't you?"
Gloria was taken aback, about to argue, but Tabitha saw through her, "Every time you lie, you subconsciously avert your gaze, fearing I'll see through you."
Gloria, in a fit of exasperation, covered her face with a blanket, "You two are truly a couple, figuring each other out so well! Why should I even bother lying? Since you know it was his doing, why did you still come?"
Tabitha pulled the blanket off her face and said earnestly, "Because you are my best friend. I'm not afraid of you deceiving me, but I am afraid you might be in danger."
Gloria's tears started flowing again, "Tabitha, you... I'm so touched. No more words, just a hug."
Tabitha gently patted her back, saying, "Of course, I understand. You didn't say anything the first time to avoid worrying me, and today, you helped him bring me back for my safety. Am I right?"
Gloria moved away, and despite being younger than Gloria, Tabitha's experiences had matured her far beyond her years, acting like an older sister as she wiped Gloria's tears.
Tabitha said, "Because I also want to save you. This is the only chance to save you."
Gloria, having learned about Tabitha's recent actions from Derek, was surprised that Tabitha, despite her own predicament, was still thinking of her.
With a tearful voice, Gloria asked, "When I couldn't reach you before, what were you thinking?"
Mentioning Leopold again, Gloria's eyes reddened, "It's all my fault. I thought I'd found true love, only to end up as someone's plaything."
Tabitha sighed, saying, "He may love you, but that love isn't as important as his status and future. For people of their status, what they want is a wife of equal standing. Whether they love or not is less important."
Gloria said helplessly, "Yes, he made it clear from the start that marrying was just to appease his family, and he would maintain our relationship, giving me everything except for Luna's position. No matter how much I love money, I wouldn't become a lover in someone else's marriage, would I?"
Tabitha asked, "What about the child?"
Gloria's eyes welled up again, her voice trembling as she said, "I never intended to break up his marriage and had already submitted my resignation. Over the years, I've made a decent amount from sales, and with his generosity, coupled with my dislike for spending recklessly, I've saved up enough to live comfortably for the rest of my life. I was prepared to be a single mother, but his arranged marriage partner interfered, causing me to lose the child."
Choking back tears, Gloria continued, "I lost the child and almost died from heavy bleeding. The doctor said my chances of getting pregnant again are slim, perhaps never having a child in this life."
Tabitha comforted her, "It's okay, Gloria. Your body can be nurtured back to health, and pregnancy is a matter of fate. When the time comes, it will happen. Are you hungry? Let me make you something to eat."
Seeing Gloria so upset, Tabitha decided to temporarily change the subject and cooked a few dishes Gloria liked.
Back when Tabitha taught herself to cook, Gloria had been her taste-tester.
Remembering the early days when Tabitha's cooking was disastrous, Gloria had suffered through many a meal.
Now, enjoying the delicious food, both couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
Gloria laughed, "I still remember the turkey you made. It was burnt to a crisp."
Tabitha, recalling that dark past, also smiled, "Yes, time flies, and now I can cook a great meal. Time changes not only our age but also our experiences."
Gloria lowered her head in silence for a moment, then said, "Tabitha, I feel you've changed."
Tabitha smiled, "I used to think life was hard like you, but later I realized there's even harder life ahead. We have no choice but to persevere. Compared to those who have lost their lives, we are already very fortunate. What are your plans now?"
Gloria put down her knife, saying, "I don't want to be his accessory, nor do I want to live a lifetime in the shadows, becoming a lover that others despise and condemn."
She clutched Tabitha's hand tightly, "Tabitha, can you find a way to take me away?"
Looking at her, Tabitha said earnestly, "Gloria, that's the very thing I've been waiting to hear from you."