Chapter 810

　　The firewood in the stove crackled, illuminating Derek's momentarily pale face. 　　He stared at the tips of his leather shoes, seeing only a blur of gray. 　　The sensation of Tabitha's fingers grazing his collarbone that morning suddenly became vivid. 　　How can a blind man compete with others? The thought stung his heart like a venomous needle. He clenched his pants leg fiercely, nails nearly piercing his thigh. 　　A small hand suddenly covered his, Hedwig's thumb pressing gently into his taut tendons. 　　Her palm, warm as a jade pendant, reminded him of nights when Tabitha would rest her feet on his stomach for warmth during her pregnancy. 　　Derek took a deep breath and found a plump pea pod. As his nail pierced the pod, releasing its sweet juice onto his knuckle, Hedwig raced to the wooden bridge with her bamboo flute. 　　The wooden planks resonated with her footsteps. 　　Derek heard the rustle of her skirt as she sat and the soft inhalation before the flute played—a habit identical to T