Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

"You can't lie. You stutter when you do. I know that about you. Come on, spill it. What's really going on?" Beah pressed Gigi for the truth, sensing that something serious had happened. Unable to keep it to herself any longer, Gigi confessed, "I overheard a conversation between Doctor Hugo and Pea in his room." Her fingers fidgeted nervously as she spoke. "What did they say?"

"Pea said that she's only with Doctor Hugo because he forced her. It was all to cure your illness..."

Beah's smile disappeared in an instant, replaced by disbelief and sorrow. "Are you saying she was forced into a relationship with Doctor Hugo just to save me?"

She struggled to accept this revelation. To everyone else, they were just a cute couple. Pearl had managed to hide her true feelings so well that even her own mother had been kept in the dark.

Her daughter, whom she hadn't seen for many years, not only lacked a mother's love but had also endured so much for her. Her guilt weighed heavily on her as she realized the extent of her daughter's sacrifices.

"Gigi, do you think I've been too much?" Beah's eyes got teary, her guilt apparent in her voice.

eyes welling up with tears. "Aunt Beah, it's not your fault at all. You had no way of knowing. I believe that if

determination intensified.

Beah, puzzled. "What

to leave this place, and I'll take you with me.

Doctor Hugo, your illness might

"Gigi, I know you're worried about my illness, but if you think from my perspective, you'd understand. Your daughter is threatened by others, yet you have to pretend to smile. I'm sure any other mother will feel

might be enduring was too much for Beah to

been treated kindly by Pearl, and it wouldn't be right to cause her any more trouble. "When are

"Tonight. The sooner, the

want to take another look at

young woman, and Beah believed that her daughter would understand her intentions. Instead of causing her unnecessary distress, it was best to leave