Female Novel
Chapter 868
Pearl smiled, but she averted her gaze to the scenery by the lake.
"So, Miss Pearl, how do you plan to make it up to me?" Richard asked, squeezing her hand againsthis chest.
"I don't know. Don't ask me." Although Pearl had said so, she could feel his strong heartbeatthrough the thick clothes.
She wondered if Richard was nervous. Or was he moved?
"But I want to know now." Richard wanted an answer there and then.
Blushing, Pearl glanced around, noticing curious onlookers. "Come on, let go. People arewatching," she urged.
Naturally, Richard wasn't about to let her go that easily. He swallowed hard, observing herembarrassed expression.
In the midst of their close encounter, he suddenly drew her into a firm embrace. He said softly, "Iknow that your mother has passed away."
Pearl's smile faded as she stiffened in his arms.
"You're very sad, aren't you?"
Speechless, Pearl nestled against him, her emotions overwhelming her. "I'm not very sad," she lied,rubbing against him for comfort.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Pearl sniffed. Her nose turned red from the coldness of the late autumn. "I didn't think it wasnecessary to tell you. It would just make you upset."
Richard gently turned her to face him, looking deep into her eyes. "But does keeping it to yourselfmake you happy?"novelbin
Pearl looked down, trying to hide the emotion in her eyes. "No, it doesn't. But I didn't want to burdenyou, especially under those circumstances."
Richard's frustration grew at her noble reasoning. "You matter the most to me. How could I behappy knowing you're unhappy?"
Pearl softly mumbled, "I know that."
"Then you should've shared it with me. Got it?"
Hearing his words, Pearl felt she was a little pretentious. She nodded quietly, tears threatening tospill. "Understood."
"So, can you tell me everything now?" Richard's earnest gaze met hers once more. He realized thismight reopen her wounds, but his intention was to heal her, not just to uncover her pain.
"Okay."
Pearl took his hand and led him to a nearby step by the river, where she recounted recent events indetail.
As he listened, Richard's fists clenched at Beah's actions. Pearl had endured so much pain andinjustice. It must have weighed heavily on her.