Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

“Richard, Abby is just being lovely. My love for her since she was a child hasn’t gone to waste.” Susan

glared at Richard and patted Abby’s hand. “Look, Abby is so well-mannered now. Do you want to

consider dating

her…”

“Oh, please don’t say that…” Abby blushed, nudging Susan gently.

Richard chose to remain silent, a response that seemed most fitting.

Abby found herself in an awkward spot because of Richard’s silence, so she withdrew her arm.

“Richard doesn’t have feelings for me now, so there’s no need to force it. I don’t want it to look like I’m

pressuring

him.”

“Nonsense. Your mother and I had an agreement that the two of you would get married. You grew up

together, so how could he not have feelings for you?” Susan reassured Abby, worried that Richard

might

have hurt her.

Richard finally spoke up, “I’m seeing someone.”

Pearl froze, her fork hung in midair.

“You’re seeing someone? Who? Not Pearl, I hope?”

Richard nodded. “You’re right. It’s her.”

Abby chuckled awkwardly. “Oh, really?”

“You’re not allowed to have feelings for her,” Susan blurted.

Richard didn’t understand, so he turned and looked at her curiously. “Why not?”

“Because I said so, Rick. Even if you don’t have feelings for Abby, you’re still not allowed to have

feelings for Pearl.” Susan sounded very serious, as if she knew a secret she couldn’t tell anyone

about.

Everyone fell silent.

The meal seemed tasteless, so after quickly eating, everyone returned to their rooms.

Abby decided to stay for the night and leave the following day because it was late.

Susan entered Richard’s room, carrying a glass of warm milk, and knocked on the door before

entering.

“Rick, I have something to tell you,” she said as she placed the glass on the table.

Richard knew what she was going to say, so he asked, “What is it?”

“I don’t want you to be with Pearl because…” Susan sighed, and her thoughts wandered. “Did you

know that your father, when he was young, had his first love…”

“What does this have to do with Pearl?”

She hesitated, then continued, “Your dad’s first love was Pearl’s mother! The person you’re seeing

might be your sister!”

“That’s impossible!” Richard thought it was ridiculous.

Susan scoffed. “Why is it impossible? Pearl has your dad’s personality. You should know that when I

was pregnant with Hanzel, your dad disappeared for half a year, and no one knew what happened

during that time. Look at Pearl. She’s the same age as Hanzel!”

“That doesn’t prove she’s Dad’s child.” Richard found the notion so absurd that he couldn’t take it

seriously.

Susan sounded like she was about to cry. “I only found out half a year into our marriage that there was

a woman your dad loved with all his heart. I was already pregnant with you at that time, so I stayed

instead of getting a divorce. Did you know?”

Richard patted her back to calm her down. “Don’t get too worked up. This might all be a

misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding? Why would your dad be so nice to Pearl if not for this reason? Do you have an

explanation?”

“Dad and Pearl’s dad are best friends. It would be normal for him to want to protect her too.”

“Alright, I won’t try to convince you, but remember, Pearl isn’t a good match for you,” Susan advised.

“Rick, I only have your best interests at heart. The girls I approve of will always be cream of the crop.

You should

understand…”

“Okay, Mom, let me make that decision.”

Richard wasn’t easily fooled. Despite Susan’s serious tone, he still had his reservations. He sent his

mother

out.

“Don’t forget to finish the milk. It’s getting cold,” Susan reminded him before returning to her room.

Richard made his way back to the table, picked up the cup, and downed the milk. Then, he prepared to

sleep.

As he lay down in bed, he felt his b*dy heat up. He lowered the air conditioning temperature, but it

didn’t help. Sleep eluded him as his mind filled with thoughts of Pearl: her captivating eyes, alluring

l*ps, and a smile that could melt any heart.

“Damn it,” he muttered to himself. What was he thinking? His mind was in turmoil when he suddenly

heard

the door handle turn.

In the dimly lit room, he couldn’t see who it was, but he felt a cold hand on his face. Reacting quickly,

he grabbed the wrist and, with his remaining consciousness, asked, “Who are you?”

In the faint light, he could make out that it was a woman. The only person who would enter his room at

this hour would be…

“Rick…” Abby whispered. She felt the heat from his hand, causing her to feel both shocked and

anxious. Was she going to succeed in keeping Richard for herself?

“Abby?” Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

Abby took a deep breath and k*ssed him, but he pushed her away.

“What are you doing, Abby?” Richard’s breathing was heavy, and he felt drained.

“Richard, I love you, and I want to be with you forever…” Abby began to undress him, her voice

trembling. You only have Pearl on your mind, and I can’t accept that. You’re mine, Rick, only mine…”

“1

Richard tried to calm down and gripped Abby’s wrist to stop her. “Even if we sleep together, I won’t

marry

you.’

Abby couldn’t believe he said that, her eyes widening in disbelief. “How could you do this to me?”

“I know you’ve changed a lot, and I thought you’ve moved on,” Richard’s voice grew colder. “But I never

thought you would resort to drugging me. Abby, that’s insane.”

Afraid of his anger, Abby’s voice quivered. “Please, Rick, don’t be angry. I like you so much, but I don’t

want you to hate me…”

Richard let go and moved away. “Get out, now.”

“Rick…”

Richard hadn’t anticipated her persistence, so he grabbed a cup from the table and smashed it against

his own head. He lost consciousness right after that.