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 you?" Derek's voice broke her reverie. 　　Tabitha collected her