Pearl approached the table and noticed an unlocked diary sitting on it. She picked it up and began to read.
The elegant handwriting belonged to her mother, detailing her battle with illness. As Pearl read on, she could sense the weakening of her mother's
words, reflecting her declining health.
But what struck Pearl the most were the recurring expressions of longing for her, written at the end of nearly every page.
[Pearl, my daughter. | miss and love you.]
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Tears welled up in Pearl's eyes as she traced the words on the page. But it was the letter on the final page that truly broke her.
[Pearl, | might have passed away when you read this letter. | know that it's wrong ofto leave you without telling you, but | did it for your sake.
You're still young, and | didn't want you to sacrifice your life for mine.]
[I love you very much, Pearl. As a mother, deciding what's best for you has been the hardest yet the right choice. | chose to let go in exchange for
your freedom. I'll always watch over you, even if we can't see each other again. Tis something | have very little of, and Hugo is the only one who
could have changed that. So, | chose to embrace my fate early, leaving peacefully before you had the chance to chere.]
[Gigi has been very good to me, a true friend. She's stuck by my side with unwavering patience and has never left me. Her kindness is genuine, and |
appreciate her deeply. I'm aware of her job at Dark Bar, and | silently approved because | know the place is under your care. Please, look out for her
and treat her well. After I'm gone, | trust you to care for her as if she were your own sister. Finally, | hope you always stay true to yourself, never letting
anyone dictate your path or bowing down for the sake of others. Pearl, my dear daughter, | miss you and love you deeply. Love, your mom, Beah.]
Pearl's tears flowed freely as she soaked the paper with her grief. She felt the weight of her mother's sacrifice and love.
Damian, too, was grieving and deeply affected by Beah's passing. He had cherished memories of her kindness during his childhood. Though
saddened, he knew he couldn't console Pearl in the way he wished, let alone the right to hug and comfort her.
Although he was ignorant of the content of the letter, he could guess that Beah must have done something like ending her life given Pearl's
breakdown. Quietly, he approached and gently patted her shoulders. "Don't be too sad. Aunt Beah faced her own struggles. She would want you to
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmbe strong and carry on."
"My mom was always too worried about me." Pearl, amidst her tears, chuckled softly. "Tell me, am | too weak?" she questioned suddenly. "If | had the
courage to stand up to Hugo and demand he save my mother, would things be different?"
Damian pondered her words, finding them reasonable. "Perhaps, but..."
"l understand," Pearl interrupted, her resolve firming. Closing the diary gently, she wiped her tears and faced Damian with newfound determination. "I
know what | need to do."
Damian, surprised by the change in her demeanor, asked, "What are you going to do?"
Pearl, with tear stains on her face but resolve in her eyes, replied, "I want to becstronger.”