Third person's POV
Though he was just a child and didn't fully understand what had happened between Tabitha and Derek, he knew one thing—he loved Tabitha and wanted her to be happy.
"If this makes you happy, I don't mind. I'm just scared... scared you'll leave me," Kyrian said, his voice trembling slightly.
"Silly boy, didn't I tell you? You and your siblings are my most precious treasures. I love you so much, and I'll visit you often," Tabitha said gently.
Then, she noticed the cord around Kyrian's neck and gently pulled it out. It was the small lock she'd designed for him years ago.
"I made this for you. It's engraved with my hopes for you, 'May you grow up happy and healthy every day.'"
Kyrian reached out his hand. "Mom, you can't lie to me. You have to come see me again."
Their fingers hooked together in a pinky promise, and Tabitha smiled softly.
"Okay, I promise. When you're a little older, we'll live together, alright? You need to grow up brave and strong so Mom doesn't have to worry about you, okay?"
"Mm, Mom, I'll remember."
"You're my good boy," Tabitha said, gently patting him as she held him close and shared stories from his childhood.
"Remember the cherry blossoms on the island? When they bloom again, I'll take you to see them, okay?"
"Really, Mom? Let's shake on it! No take-backs!"
Tabitha had successfully reassured him.
Kyrian was still young, lacking Derek's stubbornness.
Everything he did was for Tabitha's sake.
Though he looked so much like Derek, his personality mirrored Tabitha's—always thinking of others.
Such people often carried heavy burdens, always putting others first and rarely prioritizing themselves.
That night, Kyrian clung to her, his small hand gripping the hem of her pajamas.
Tabitha's heart ached as she looked at the bruises on his face. She knew these wounds were just the beginning. The path ahead for Kyrian would be fraught with challenges.
The thought of leaving him filled her with sorrow.
But she knew that, whether now or in the future, if she didn't change, neither Derek nor Kyrian could protect her forever.
If her enemies ever got the upper hand, her life would be at risk. She only had one life, and the only way to protect it was to grow stronger. Otherwise, even someone like Misha could bully her.
Without Derek's power and protection, she'd have nothing.
And now that Derek had exposed her identity, staying by his side wasn't safe either.
Tabitha had learned from her past marriage to Derek. She couldn't just focus on the present; she had to plan for her children's future and her own.
After Kyrian fell asleep, Derek quietly entered the room. When his chest pressed against Tabitha's back, her body tensed.
"What are you doing?" she whispered.
Derek wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, "Don't be scared. I just want to hold you while we sleep."
Tabitha didn't fully trust Derek's words, always suspecting he had ulterior motives.
But this time, he didn't try anything. He just held her, staying still. "You're leaving tomorrow, aren't you?"
Tabitha gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.
"I knew I couldn't keep you..." Derek sighed. "I still need time to recover, so I won't see you off tomorrow. I've arranged everything for your trip."
"Okay, thanks," Tabitha replied stiffly, her tone distant. "Good night."
There were no tearful goodbyes between them, just the natural parting of friends after a reunion.
That night, Tabitha slept soundly with Kyrian in her arms.
Kyrian was her treasure, lost and found. She'd often wondered how things might have been if they were an ordinary family—if she could have stayed by his side forever.
Tabitha slept dreamlessly and woke early. Outside, the sky was still dark. Winter mornings always came late.
The curtains were slightly parted, and Tabitha gazed at the gray dawn. Kyrian slept soundly in her arms, and Derek, for once, was also resting peacefully.
Father and son lay on either side of her, clinging to her as if afraid she'd leave.
Tabitha carefully slipped out of the warm bed, trying not to wake them.
But she didn't know that both Derek and Kyrian had already woken up.
They silently agreed not to open their eyes or make a sound.
After a quick wash, Tabitha paused by Kyrian's side.
The room was dim, and she could barely make out his face, only the outline of his features.
A warm tear fell on Kyrian's hand. He knew it was Tabitha's.
She kissed his forehead lightly and then left. When the door clicked shut, Derek and Kyrian opened their eyes in unison.
Kyrian's eyes were filled with tears. "Dad, can't we really keep Mom?"
"I'm sorry," Derek said, his heart aching.