Chapter 5

When Tabitha came to again, a whole week had passed. Seeing her open her eyes, the nurse hurriedly called the doctor.

"Mrs. Lowe, you're finally awake! Your husband and son practically scoured the entire city for doctors. To pray for your safety, Mr. Lowe even donated ten million dollars to a charity foundation, hoping that all the blessings would return to you.

"I'm sure they'll be thrilled to hear that you're awake!"

No sooner had the words left the nurse's lips than Kieran and David pushed the door open. They immediately hugged Tabitha tightly, fear and relief written all over their faces.

"Tab, you're finally awake. Do you have any idea how worried I've been this past week?"

David's eyes were red as he choked out, "Mommy, I was so scared I'd lose you forever."

Both Kieran's and David's tears dropped on the back of her hand.

Despite that, Tabitha was barely moved by their tears. All she felt was irony.

When danger came, the one they instinctively protected was Summer, not her. It was impossible for her not to feel heartbroken.

She had given Kieran her whole heart, loved him with everything she had, and raised David with her own hands from the very beginning. Yet Summer, who had only been around for a few short months, had managed to erase all of that effortlessly and take her place.

Seeing Tabitha's reaction, Kieran and David felt a pang of unease. They each hurriedly explained, "Tab, it was so chaotic that day that I couldn't tell who was who. That's why I protected the wrong person."

"Mommy, Daddy and I will never let you be in danger again. This was all our fault."

Tabitha, still weak from just waking up, felt nothing but exhaustion. She had no energy to expose their clumsy lies. She just needed to wait one more week before she could leave this place and these two liars.

In the following days, likely out of guilt, Kieran and David never left her side in the hospital. Naturally, Kieran's phone never stopped ringing, buzzing with calls day after day. Not once did he answer.

One day, Kieran's phone vibrated with a new message. His eyes narrowed, and his expression shifted ever so slightly. A few seconds later, he turned to Tabitha with an apologetic look.

"Something urgent just came up at work, Tab. I need to work it out."

David pressed his head close to the screen, saw the message, and immediately said, "Mommy, I'll go with Daddy to the office."

Tabitha took in their expressions carefully. What could require David to go to the company? It was obviously Summer.

After receiving her nod of approval, they hurriedly left. Meanwhile, Tabitha got out of bed and followed them. Around the corner in the hospital hallway, she saw Summer crying incessantly as she threw herself into Kieran's arms.

His expression darkened slightly. He pried her hands away and spoke with unmistakable warning. "What are you doing here at the hospital? I told you not to show up until Tab has fully recovered. Stay home, and do not show yourself in front of her!"

At that, Summer only sobbed even harder. She buried herself against his chest, clutched his waist, and said pitifully, "I just miss you two so much. It's been ten days. We'd agreed that you'd spend at least two hours with me every day."

David saw Summer crying and became so frantic that he jumped in to explain, "Ms. Dabney, Daddy and I miss you, too. But Mommy hasn't recovered yet, so we need to stay with her."

He turned to Kieran. "Daddy, say something to make Ms. Dabney happy!"

Feeling the dampness against his chest and hearing David's pleading, Kieran ultimately sighed and softened his demeanor. "Alright, easy. It pains me to see you cry. Tell you what—I'll spend the next two days with you, alright?"

Her crying stopped immediately. "Really?"

It wasn't until Summer received his definitive answer that she smiled through her tears. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes screaming affection.

The light in Kieran's eyes went out, his Adam's apple bobbling. The next second, he cupped her head and pressed his lips fiercely against hers. They kissed with a clinging intensity, as if to pour out all the longing of the past ten days.

David quickly covered his eyes and turned his head away, chuckling. "I can't watch this!"

Tabitha returned to her ward like a puppet with its string pulled. Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes and soaked into the pillow. She bit down hard on her lower lip, refusing to let a single sound escape.

Repeatedly, she told herself to wait just a little longer. Soon, she would be able to leave, and this would be the last time she ever cried for Kieran and David.