Chapter 802

Derek lay in bed, his thoughts drifting back to the past—their hands would often interlock when passion arose.Now, though the woman before him was a stranger in appearance, demeanor, and even gaze, the feel of her palm was achingly familiar.Gently, he held her hand, tracing the lines of her palm and the warmth of her fingertips. He was certain—the size and bone structure of a hand were unchangeable.These hands, held countless times before, were undeniably real against his touch.Tabitha abruptly pulled her hand away. Derek realized his mistake and a flash of guilt crossed his face. "Sorry, I just thought of my ex-wife for a moment…"He trailed off, lowering his eyelids to mask the turbulent emotions in his eyes.Tabitha studied his face, searching for any sign of deceit in his blank expression and pale complexion but found none."I must be overthinking," she reassured herself inwardly."What's troubling yo

Last Updated : 2025-05-11

Chapter 803

Tabitha's fingers paused as she recalled how Derek had once barely flinched from a gunshot wound, yet now he acted as fragile as a glass doll, each breath cautious and restrained."For the next two days, try to keep this wound dry," she said softly, tearing off a piece of medical tape. "Let me help you back to bed."Derek abruptly pushed her hand away and sat up, leaning against the bedside table.The mattress creaked beneath him, and his heartbeat thundered—not from weakness, but from the faint lavender scent clinging to her, identical to the pillow fragrance he remembered.Tabitha caught his taut wrist."Derek Moriarty," she warned, using his full name—a name that sent a jolt through him, almost slipping out with "I knew it was you," but catching himself with a sigh."Sorry," he muttered.Steam from the chicken soup blurred the air between them.Tabitha blew on the spoonful of soup before offering it to him. Her s

Last Updated : 2025-05-13

Chapter 804

Derek rose to leave but, with blurred vision, nearly tripped on the doorframe. Tabitha steadied him just in time."This isn't your grand villa. Until you're familiar with the surroundings, stay put. The last thing I need is to set your bones again if you fall," she said."Sorry," he murmured.Tabitha guided him forward, her grip gentle. "I won't fault a patient for clumsiness. Take your time," she said.Alvin noticed their linked hands and, recalling Derek's request to investigate Hedwig's age, pieced together the puzzle.A faint smile flickered across his lips, which he quickly replaced with a look of concern when Tabitha glanced his way."Am I overthinking?" Tabitha shook her head.Rolf continued his dramatic lament, "If anything happens to her, I'll be held responsible! I'm still young and haven't even had a girlfriend yet."Tabitha, without turning back, said, "A few days' rest will set her right."She realized Misha

Last Updated : 2025-05-15

Chapter 805

"Close your eyes, I'm applying the medicine," she said.He propped his arm on the edge of the pool, and Tabitha knelt beside him, her long hair cascading down as she leaned forward.The faint scent of herbs grew stronger—Derek was certain she was the one who'd tended to him that night."This might feel a bit cold," Tabitha warned softly."Alright," he replied.Using a wooden stick, she spread the medicinal liquid evenly across his eyes and gently wrapped them with bandages. With his sight obscured, Derek's demeanor softened noticeably."I could see vague shapes before, but now I can't see a thing," he remarked."Once you recover, you can see anything you want," Tabitha assured him.Derek suddenly spoke, "Right now, the person I most want to see is you."Tabitha's heart skipped a beat. Derek added, "Without you this time, I'd probably be dead. You're my savior, and I'm truly grateful. I'll find a way to repay you on

Last Updated : 2025-05-17

Chapter 806

Derek dared not move, savoring the tender moment.Soon, the child's hand retreated, and the sound of little footsteps headed toward Tabitha."Hungry?" Tabitha's voice was soft and gentle. "Alright, get the ingredients, and I'll make you candied hawthorn."The bells jingled merrily as Hedwig ran off.Suddenly, Derek sensed something near him—not human, but the sniff of an animal.His heart raced. Was it a wild beast?"Don't be afraid," Tabitha said. "It's just a fawn.""Are there deer here?""Of course. The mountain spring attracts many animals.""Any predators?"Tabitha's mind flickered with a memory. "There used to be, but not anymore."Ever since the leopard that had once protected her died, all the predators had fled into the deep mountains, never to return.Derek, unaware of this, simply marveled at the magic of the moment—animals seemed to sense Tabitha's aura. Even the timid fawn nu

Last Updated : 2025-05-19

Chapter 807

"Isn't it because I missed you? Tabitha, same as always tonight, okay?""Forget it. I've got a patient to tend to.""What patient could be more important than me?" His voice carried a whine.Derek ground his molars. "Same as always"—what on earth did that mean?He'd steeled himself countless times for the possibility that Tabitha had moved on, but now, confronted with reality, he knew heartache like never before.It mirrored the icy dread he'd felt when Tabitha had misunderstood him with Daphne years ago."God, I'm such an idiot," he cursed inwardly.The thought of Tabitha in another man's arms sent rage and grief surging through him.Hedwig's bell caught Jasper's attention. He'd been jogging toward them cheerfully but froze when he spotted the man beside her.Pointing at Derek, he asked Tabitha, "Is this the patient you mentioned?""Long story," Tabitha said.Judging by Tabitha's glance, Jasper dropp

Last Updated : 2025-05-21