Third person's POV
Derek released Tabitha. Over the past few days, he thought he had made himself clear, but Misha seemed to be someone who couldn't be driven away.
"Misha, I've already made it clear to you before. I don't feel that way about you. Stop doing these things. What you're doing won't move anyone. It will only move yourself."
Misha wiped her tears, her face full of sorrow, "But, but I just wanted to be a little kinder to you."
"Feelings need to be reciprocated by both parties. If only one side gives, isn't that unrequited love? I can't give you any response."
Misha pointed at Tabitha's face, "What about her! She doesn't love you either. Aren't you also in unrequited love?"
"This is my freedom. Instead of focusing all your energy on me, you should go and find a life that belongs to you. I can't give you what you want. Bringing food like that is something a girlfriend should do."
Derek's words were ruthless. Misha ran out crying once again.
Derek, on the other hand, blamed Misha in his heart for disturbing his sweet moment with Tabitha.
Tabitha, while serving salad, said, "You're really heartless."
"If I don't like someone, I can't give them hope. Otherwise, I'd be harming them. She is just simple-minded and straightforward, spoiled by her family since childhood."
They sat down to eat. Tabitha put some of Derek's favorite dishes into his bowl.
"You just like those innocent little girls."
Derek let out a soft laugh, "Tabitha, you're wrong. I don't like innocent little girls. I just like you."
He reached out and pinched her cheek, "Sorry she slapped you."
"You're not her anything. Why would I need your apology? I'll return that slap sooner or later."
Tabitha removed his hand, "Hurry up and eat. Don't let the food get cold."
Derek quietly looked at her. Her gaze was very determined, truly different from the past.
The more Derek didn't want time to pass quickly, the faster it seemed to flow.
On the sixth night, Derek held Tabitha and couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
Tabitha knew what he was thinking but didn't say a word.
Life is like this—constantly meeting, parting, falling, and getting up again, growing all the time. No one stays in the same place forever.
The sky brightened. After Tabitha made breakfast for Derek, Rolf and Alvin, who hadn't been seen for days, quietly appeared at the door.
Both had lost weight and had dark circles under their eyes, clearly having been very busy lately.
"Tabitha."
Tabitha asked curiously, "Didn't we say we'd leave tomorrow?"
"It's Alpha Derek who called us. Alpha Derek's injuries have healed very well, and he wants to be discharged early. We've already handled the discharge procedures."
Tabitha glanced back at Derek, who was dressed in a suit, looking just like before, with no sign of having been injured.
His shallower wounds had already scabbed over, and only the three deeper ones were still slowly healing. He still needed to rest well for a while.
But for Derek, this was enough. These past few days had been a rare break for him, a hard-earned quiet time.
"Let's go. I'll accompany you today."
Tabitha didn't know what Derek planned to do, so she just took her coat and left with him.
They moved very discreetly, going down to the basement level two through the emergency exit.
The former business car had been replaced with an off-road vehicle, the entire body of which had undergone special modifications, significantly enhancing its safety performance.
To her surprise, the usually stern Dr. Weaver was waiting up front.
To be honest, Tabitha was a bit afraid of him.
Every time she went to get medicine or ask about Derek's injuries, she would feel a chill down her spine when she made eye contact with him.
Initially, Dr. Weaver was very dissatisfied with her. His obvious aversion was evident.
After learning that she also had a medical background, his attitude towards her improved slightly. He would even occasionally quiz her with professional knowledge.
Fortunately, Tabitha had been studying various professional fields over the past two years, and her answers satisfied Dr. Weaver.
Their relationship had eased a bit. For Tabitha, he was like a strict mentor—someone she both respected and feared.
As they were about to leave, Tabitha walked up to him and softly greeted, "Dr. Weaver."
Alban Weaver seemed to be there to see Derek off. Tabitha was used to his cold remarks and was about to get in the car to wait for him when he waved her over.
"Come with me," he said.
Tabitha was taken aback. She pointed to her own nose, "Me?"
"Is there another Tabitha here?"
Alban walked briskly ahead, and Tabitha glanced at Derek, who gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Go ahead," he said.
Tabitha followed him to the side and cautiously began, "Dr. Weaver."
"I've spoken with Ozzie about your situation."
Ozzie?
Tabitha's eyes widened. Could it be her former mentor, Dr. Osbert Fairbanks?
He was not only a mentor at the medical school but also one of the top surgeons in the United States.