Chapter 17
Pearl found out about Jonah’s return to Ethria half a month later.
During those days, a nearby village to their base experienced a sudden dengue fever outbreak. Most of the medical team had been dispatched there, working around the clock until they finally managed to control the spread of the disease.
It was only during a meeting at the base that she heard the news from Lionel–that Jonah had returned to Ethría the day after the appreciation banquet. Pearl let out a sigh of relief. It seemed Jonah had finally thought things through. His so–called deep regret over her was nothing more than a passing wave of guilt.
Due to their team’s effective and rapid response to the dengue outbreak, domestic media outlets traveled all the way there to do feature reports on them. As a new representative of the medical team, Pearl accepted their interviews.
She came across as poised and professional in the interview, and with those bright, expressive eyes beneath her sharp, short hair, clips of her interview immediately went viral on social media.
“Dr. Hamilton is truly beautiful and kind. There aren’t many young women these days with such an impressive résumé who are still willing to endure the hardships of Nyora!”
“I’m Dr. Hamilton’s junior at Northriver University’s medical school. She is the pride of our department!”
“Northriver University alumni here. I’ve long heard about the legendary head of the med school’s MMA club. You’re the best, Dr. Hamilton!”
The comments from acquaintances and strangers alike continued to gain traction online. The hashtag #PearlTheMost Beautiful Doctor trended for several days. For a time, her popularity rivaled that of top–tier influencers.
However, Pearl, in Nyora, was too exhausted to notice. Many of the places she visited had no Internet access. Thus, she never took part in this online frenzy.
Back home in Ethria, Jonah couldn’t ignore the piece of news. At first, he watched her interview clip over and over again, feeling truly happy for her. But then Nathaniel called, spurred by the growing attention.
“You brat! Why didn’t you tell me that Pearl went to Nyora for aid work?”
Lately, Nathaniel’s health hadn’t been great. Jonah had yet to tell him that he and Pearl were already divorced.
To be honest, even he himself couldn’t fully accept it.
“Dad, Pearl is being considerate of your feelings. She knew you’d be reluctant to let her go so far away, so she chose not to tell you.”
Jonah thought he had smoothed things over nicely, but Nathaniel only got angrier.
“Jonah, you don’t understand me at all. Pearl has been my prized student for so many years. Don’t you think she understands me better than that? Why would I stop her from going to Nyora to do aid work?”
Nathaniel huffed and puffed, his voice filled with vigor. “Back in my day, I, too, served three years on a rural medical team before returning to Northriver.
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“Alright, alright… I’ll apologize to you on her behalf.”
Jonah let out a helpless chuckle. It turned out he was the only one who never understood her aspirations. It was no wonder she once said he only had eyes for himself.
Though he brushed things off with jokes, Nathaniel was relentless, insisting that Jonah give him Pearl’s overseas contact details.
“Dad, Pearl is extremely busy over there. Don’t keep calling and disturbing her, alright?”
Although he said that, his heart was filled with sorrow.
He could easily find her contact information from the aid organization’s files, but he lacked the courage to dial the number. He was afraid of hearing her voice full of finality and indifference.
He figured things out too late in this game of waiting for love. By now, he had lost the right to happiness, making him the ultimate loser.
