Third person's POV
Tabitha was used to Alvin calling her by name. Hearing him call her "doctor" made her wince.
"Use a different name," she said.
"May I know your name, Doctor?"
"Vanessa."
Wait, what?
Alvin nearly choked. "You're Vanessa? The all-around physician?"
An "all-around physician" was a rarity—doctors usually specialized.
But Vanessa wasn't just rare. She was legendary.
Alvin had first heard her name last year when she became one of the few surgeons capable of performing interdental artificial cornea surgery.
The procedure was so complex it required collaboration across dental, ophthalmological, and radiological fields.
Yet Vanessa, a twenty-something newcomer, pulled it off.
Media swarmed, patients flocked—but she vanished.
Then came a high-risk heart surgery, again under her name.
Another worldwide sensation.
Reporters chased shadows. She remained elusive, known only as a guest physician.
Over the past year, her reputation had soared globally.
Alvin never expected to meet her here, in this secluded town, much less discover she was a detoxification expert.
While Alvin stood dumbstruck, Tabitha—Vanessa—prepared herbs, handing another batch to Hedwig to boil.
Among the children, only Hedwig had inherited medical talent, a gift from Vanessa's drug-nurtured pregnancy.
Three years ago, when Vanessa discovered she was pregnant, Jasper wanted her to abort, prioritizing her cancer treatment.
Vanessa refused.
Jasper eventually arranged for her to stay with Alma in Pine Ridge Town, where Alma's unique "medicated fetal nurturing" method turned Tabitha into a walking pharmacy, her body saturated with drugs to protect the fetus.
This kind of treatment demanded rigor from Tabitha's body. She had to consume medicine daily as if it were food.
Despite the grueling regimen, Tabitha successfully beat her cancer.
Childbirth was tough, but the baby came out safely., her only quirks being green eyes and muteness.
Tabitha had consulted top experts, but Hedwig's silence remained unexplained.
Tests showed normal organs.
Doctors speculated she'd outgrow it.
Once autism was ruled out, Tabitha wasn't too worried.
After all, given how she'd nurtured her child with medicine in the womb, it was only natural the kid might be a little different.
Losing her voice was a small price to pay compared to losing her life.
At birth, Hedwig had drawn animals from miles around—birds, insects, even venomous creatures flocked to the bamboo hut.
She could understand animals, a blessing in disguise.
Tabitha named her accordingly.
The green eyes? Likely a genetic quirk from Tabitha's unknown family or a drug-induced mutation.
Tabitha knew next to nothing about the Wilmots or her own birth parents, so she had no idea what caused it.
Either way, Tabitha was grateful Hedwig was healthy.
"Fan the fire hotter," Tabitha instructed. "We need to sweat out some toxins."
"Yes, but why didn't Mrs. Atkinson suggest this yesterday?"
Tabitha's tone was cool. "She doesn't help just anyone."
Had Misha not claimed to be Derek's fiancée, Tabitha might have hesitated less.
Everyone knew her history with Derek and felt pity for her—but Tabitha had moved on.
Clinging to the past would only deepen her feelings, blurring love and hate.
Years ago, she'd accepted the futility of her love for Derek. No use loving or hating someone unattainable.
Better to let go and focus on what mattered.
The spring water filled the tub, herbs steeping until the cave smelled like a pharmacy.
"Help me get him into the tub," Tabitha said.
"Alright."
Alvin moved to Derek's right side as Tabitha took the left.
Suddenly, Derek stirred, his vision clouded but sensing someone near.
Before Tabitha could react, he pulled her close, whispering, "Tabitha, I found you."
His breath against her ear sent a shiver down Tabitha's spine. No man had been this close in years—not since before the name "Tabitha" meant anything to her.
And this man, who called her by that name, was betrothed to another.