Chapter 253

　　Tabitha's POV 　　When Derek and I were in a deadlock, a shifter wheeled Dad in. 　　Seeing him lying there, I felt endless bitterness in my heart. 　　He was my only family, always looking out for me like no one else. 　　My poor old man didn't know that Derek was why he ended up this way. 　　I forced myself to hide the pain, not wanting him to find out anything. 　　Derek's big hand enveloped mine, his voice gentle yet making me feel nauseous. "John, I'm sorry for being such a jerk. I was so busy with work that I failed to take care of you and Tabitha." 　　I felt the heat from his palm, but it didn't bring me any comfort. 　　Sure enough, Derek caged me again. 　　He brought me back to Rose Manor, the place where he planted a rose garden just to impress me. 　　I hadn't been here in two years, and the garden had totally overgrown. 　　All kinds of roses swayed in the evening breeze as if mocking my past ignorance. 　　Derek piped up, "Tabitha, from now on, you and John will stay here. There is a whole m