Chapter 832

　　Derek snapped back to reality. He'd let excitement and desire cloud his judgment. 　　Tabitha had come down the cliff in the pouring rain—she must be hurt. 　　Guilt and worry hit him like a tidal wave. How could he have overlooked this? 　　"Tabitha, where are you hurt?" 　　His voice was urgent, his eyes scanning her body as if he could find every injury with just his gaze. 　　Tabitha was still in a daze. She'd chased after him without a second thought, but now that she was here, embarrassment filled her face. 　　Her mind was a storm of conflicting emotions. 　　Just last night, she'd made harsh vows to hate Derek. 　　How quickly things had turned. 　　"I'm fine," she lied, her voice trembling as she avoided Derek's eyes, as if fleeing from the truth within herself. 　　The cave was pitch-black, no tools to light the way, and the outside light was fading fast. 　　Though it was daytime, it was nearly as dark as night. 　　Tabitha frowned, trying to adjust to the darkness while also sorting through her