Third person's POV
Rolf was extremely anxious and would have chased after them if not for the distance.
"This can't go on. Our people can't fire to stop them, and with one in the sky and one at sea, it's easy to run into danger."
Derek hadn't planned to stop Tabitha, so he could only watch helplessly as Lucian docked the boat on a small island.
"This island is covered in dense forests, making it unsuitable for helicopter landings," noted Derek, who then ordered, "Use rope ladders to ascend the trees, and keep another helicopter on standby. Lucian must be prepared."
As soon as Lucian reached the shore, he quickly took the two children from Tabitha's arms and urged, "Come on, follow me!"
Tabitha and Gloria followed Lucian into a pre-dug tunnel.
"Even though they can't find us for now, we can't hide forever. Once they surround the island, we'll be trapped," said Tabitha.
Wiping sweat from his forehead, Lucian whispered, "If my guess is right, they'll have one helicopter airdrop troops while another stands by. These helicopters can only stay airborne for three hours, and it'll take time for others to reach the island. Given the current situation, it'll take at least two more hours for them to find us."
Gloria looked at him admiringly. "You're amazing to figure all this out!"
Lucian led them to a large underground cave with some stored water and food.
He handed Tabitha a bottle of water and said, "Take a drink and rest. We'll be traveling every day from now on."
"Thank you," said Tabitha.
The children were used to this lifestyle and showed no discomfort.
As Lucian had anticipated, the island's untouched vegetation made it difficult for pursuers to navigate.
It would take three days to explore the entire island on foot. The pursuers, unfamiliar with the terrain, would struggle to find them.
Gloria dozed off leaning on Tabitha. When Lucian returned, the helicopters had indeed left.
Free from aerial surveillance, they ventured into the open sea, putting Derek out of their reach.
Tabitha felt a long-awaited sense of relief.
After a night of travel, dawn broke.
Tabitha exclaimed, "I'm finally free!"
It had been years. She finally got rid of Derek.
From now on, she could start her life anew.
"Tabitha, I'm so happy," said Gloria, hugging her tightly.
"Gloria, look ahead..."
Tabitha's joy turned to nausea as she leaned over the boat.
"Mommy!" The children and Gloria looked on with concern.
"Tabitha, are you feeling unwell? Did you catch a cold from the wind?" asked Gloria.
Lucian slowed the boat.
"I'm fine. It's probably the cold wind and hunger. Don't worry about me. Let's go faster before we're caught up."
"Alright. To avoid being found, we'll refuel at the next island and rest briefly before continuing. You've worked hard," said Lucian.
Upon reaching the island, Gloria helped Tabitha ashore and gave her a fresh coconut. "Have some coconut water first," she said.
Sitting in the shade, Tabitha sipped the coconut water, feeling slightly better.
Lucian gathered fresh ingredients and asked, "Are you hungry?"
After eating, Tabitha felt much better and said, "Let's go."
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, let's leave."
But soon, Tabitha vomited again, expelling everything she had eaten on the island.
"What's wrong? Are you seasick?" asked Gloria, full of concern.
The children also looked worried.
"I..."
Leaning on Gloria, Tabitha took shallow breaths, appearing very weak.
Gloria's face fell as she said, "Tabitha, you didn't have any nausea during your dissections a few days ago. Let me ask you, have you been intimate with Derek recently? Your symptoms look like... pregnancy."
Tabitha froze.
She had taken care of Derek a few days ago, and they hadn't had sex.
Besides, the timing didn't seem right.
Unless... She remembered the night with Wilmot, which had been a long and exhausting ordeal!
The next day, upon returning to Seattle, Tabitha had immediately asked Forrest to buy her emergency contraception, confident that she wouldn't get pregnant.
"No, I can't be pregnant," Tabitha's hands trembled.
"But Tabitha, contraceptive pills aren't 100% effective. You know that, right?"
Tabitha calculated her period.
Her last period was two months ago, and her irregular cycle hadn't raised her alarm.
The thought of a possible pregnancy panicked her.