Chapter 4

Although it has only been a month or so since they had last met, Nathaniel seemed to have aged a decade during that time. His hands shook as he opened a box, pulled out an aquamarine bangle, and pressed it into Pearl's hand. "Pearl, this was Marlene's. It's a family heirloom that has been passed down to the daughters-in-law in the Lawrence family. Marlene's passing was so sudden that she didn't have the chance to give it to you herself. "Today, I'm putting it on you… just in case that I, too, leave this world in a similar fashion." "Nathaniel, please don't say that," Pearl retorted, tears welling up in her eyes as she saw how the once-proud and mighty Nathaniel was now brought down so low. He might have good intentions, but she knew the truth. She and Jonah were getting divorced soon. So, she couldn't, in good conscience, accept something so priceless. Alas, Nathaniel was insistent and slipped the bangle onto her wrist despite her protests. Then, he added, "Back then, we didn't bother with a grand wedding because you were still studying. Now, you're about to graduate soon. It really is time for you to hold a proper wedding. This was also Marlene's final wish." Pearl and Jonah said nothing in response. Nathaniel rambled on about the wedding by himself before whipping out two tickets and handing them to Jonah. "These are from Logan for the two of you. It's a musical his son is directing, and the show's tonight." "Logan?" Jonah furrowed his brows in confusion. Nathaniel beamed, replying, "Pearl knows who that is. Logan's a friend of mine here at the nursing home. When Pearl dropped by last time, she happened to stumble upon Logan, who had collapsed on the roadside due to a heart attack." Nathaniel looked at Pearl proudly. "Logan survived all thanks to her quick thinking and emergency first aid. He's never forgotten about his savior. He even said he wants to attend your wedding and drink to your happiness." "That happened? Why wasn't I told?" Jonah turned to look at Pearl. He had no idea something like that had ever occurred. Pearl didn't expose him in front of Nathaniel. However, she remembered as clear as day that she had sent Jonah several voice messages after saving Logan. He had never responded to any of them. Now, she knew. He didn't even bother clicking on them. After they left the nursing home, Pearl wanted to hail a cab straight back to campus. Alas, Jonah waved the tickets in his hand and said, "These were meant for you. Wouldn't it be rude of you not to go?" Nathaniel and Logan Hughes' kind intentions came to mind. So, Pearl took one of the tickets and decided to watch the musical. On the way there, Jonah suddenly said he needed to stop by the house to grab his work phone. Thus, they took a detour to the apartment. Pearl couldn't help but think disparagingly, "It's funny nothing happened when he ditched work to go hiking with Cecelia and left his work phone ringing all night in the study. But now that he's with me? Oh, no! Work is oh-so-important now." Pearl quietly slipped off the aquamarine bangle when she came to that conclusion. It was best to return something that didn't belong to her to the rightful owner. She had just removed it from her wrist when she saw Cecelia sashaying out of the elevator. "Jonah, there you are! No wonder you weren't home when I went to your place earlier. Where did you go?" Cecelia demanded. Cecelia completely ignored Pearl and bounced over to Jonah. Pearl instinctively took a step back. "You were looking for me? Whatever for?" Jonah asked. "Of course I'm here to get you to join the competition! Look. I even got the bikes ready!" Cecelia promptly replied. Only then did Pearl notice three bicycles in the elevator, along with a blonde girl. Pearl recognized her. She was Isla Wood, a social media influencer who had appeared in Cecelia's videos in the past. Isla greeted them warmly and teased Cecelia with a mischievous grin, "So this is the guy from your picture, huh? He definitely is a total heartthrob." Then, her gaze shifted to Pearl, and she asked in bafflement, "And she is?" Cecelia and Jonah both looked visibly uncomfortable. In contrast, Pearl looked bored as she pointed at Jonah and said in a matter-of-fact tone, "I'm his sister."