Chapter 324

That morning, Richard had overheard a conversation in the hospital hallway. Two men were plotting to drug Pearl and abduct her, unbeknownst to him that they were armed with knives. Richard had swiftly intervened, but the confrontation had turned violent, and he had been slashed on his chest. "So, you took that attack for me? Your fever is because of the infection in the wound, isn't it?" As Pearl questioned him, her voice trembled with worry and sorrow. She found it difficult to hold back her tears, and each word felt like a painful stab to her heart. Richard hadn't told her this information, precisely to spare her from worrying. Seeing her cry now tore at his heart. He felt as though his own heart was shattering. He gently pulled her closer, encircling her waist, and whispered, "It's alright, it's just a minor wound. I've experienced worse injuries before. Don't cry, Pearl." For the first time, Pearl cried like a child, sobbing uncontrollably. "But you got hurt because of me.