Chapter 12
The single shout made Pearl’s temple throb. She thought she was hearing things due to her exhaustion.
She brought a hand to rub her temples when she was suddenly pulled into an embrace the very next second. A frown immediately appeared on her face as a strong, earthy scent wafted up her nose.
“Pearl, you’re okay. Thank God,” Jonah whispered tremulously, his body shaking out of pure, unadulterated relief.
Meanwhile, Pearl trembled when she heard that familiar voice. She couldn’t help but feel as though she had been dragged back to those hopeless days of unrequited love and icy responses.
“Let me go!” she snapped.
She wanted to push Jonah away, but he had such a strong hold on her that her efforts were all in vain. Still, her struggles alerted her teammate, Sean Collins, to her plight.
Sean immediately stepped forward and pried Jonah off her and shielded her away from him.
“Are you alright?” Sean asked Pearl in concern as he glared at Jonah warily. Then, he said to Jonah, “Are you here to cause trouble?”
They were in a severely underdeveloped village, so most of the locals preferred to place their faith in superstition and myth rather than doctors. As a result, incidents of medical–related aggression were common.
Therefore, medical teams were always under armed protection as they went about their business providing aid. Sure enough, a security guard stationed nearby had already taken notice of the commotion.
Pearl didn’t want things to escalate, so she quickly stepped in between Sean and Jonah, explaining, “I know him.”
Jonah felt a surge of warmth when he saw Pearl standing up for him, instinctively reaching out for her hand.
When he caught sight of the muck and grime staining his hands, he halted mid–action, hastily wiped his hands, and tentatively grabbed onto Pearl’s
sleeve.
Alas, Pearl coldly smacked his hand away.
“Mr. Lawrence, you’re causing a blockade. If you have something to say, let’s have a chat over there,” she offered.
As they stood inside the makeshift medical tent, Jonah couldn’t help but find Pearl familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
He was certain she looked the same as she always had. Yet, there was no denying the cool and distant way she was looking at him.
“Pearl, I’m sorry.”
He had a million things he wanted to say, but all he could come up with was an apology.
Then, he continued, “Pearl, I heard about everything… about your pregnancy and miscarriage. I know it all.”
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“That’s enough,” Pearl cut him off as a mocking smile appeared on her lips.
Finally, she drawled sardonically, “Mr. Lawrence, did you fly all the way across the globe just to mock me for being stupid and in love in the past?”
Her words seemed like knives as they sliced through his heartstrings mercilessly.
Jonah hastily tried to explain himself, saying, “That’s not it! I just feel like I’ve wronged you in the past. I’m really sorry. Pearl, please don’t divorce me, okay?”
After a pregnant pause, Pearl eventually let out a soft, scornful laugh. “Mr. Lawrence, you really do think very highly of yourself, don’t you?
“Do you think I would come running back to you like some mutt because of this meager apology of yours? Do you want to see me wag my tail while I’m at it, too?”
The words she spoke cut deep.
Although Jonah was hurt by her relentless barbs, he also knew he had caused Pearl far more grief than that.
He merely looked at her. His bloodshot eyes were the only proof of his lack of sleep
“Pearl, I was in the wrong. Please just return to Ethria with me. There are outbreaks here almost every other day. Do you know how worried I was about you last night?”
Jonah had never pleaded or lowered his head to anyone. At this point, he even sounded like he was groveling as he added, “Please come with me. I promise I’ll still support your career even if you don’t remarry me.”
Sadly, Pearl’s face remained as cold as ice as she parted her lips and spoke, “Jonah, you haven’t changed at all. You still don’t understand me. You’re still so self–centered.”
Pearl regarded the person before her, the man she had loved for years, and finally found it in herself to truly let the past go.
!
She continued, “Jonah, you’ve never really loved anyone. The person you’ve always loved most is yourself. I left, and you couldn’t handle it. You didn’t like the disruption in your habits, so now, you’re trying to chain me back to you.”
She glanced at the mud staining his hands and forged on, “You searched for me like a inadman, yes. But… that’s not love. What it really is… Is your attempt to assuage your own guilt.”
Chapter 12
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A love like his was worthless in her eyes. All she wanted now was to completely sever her ties with Jonah.
“Doctor, we’ve rescued another victim with a severe leg injury. He needs surgery immediately!” came a rescue staff’s urgent shout from outside the tent. Pearl immediately shifted her attention away from Jonah, yelling back at the staff as she lifted the tent flap, “I’m a surgeon!”
She jogged toward the voice, but her legs suddenly gave out beneath her. Her vision went dark, and her strength left her body like a blown–out candle. “Pearl!”
“Dr. Hamilton!”
Two voices cried out at once at the sight. Sean, who had been nearby, caught her before Jonah could.
“Dr. Hamilton, are you alright?” he asked in worry.
“I’m fine. It’s probably just low blood sugar… I just need a moment,” she murmured unsteadily.
“You’re still very weak. You need to rest. You can’t keep pushing yourself like this!” Sean reprimanded her sharply as he gently supported her waist before lifting her into his arms, carrying her back into the tent.
Jonah’s eyes locked onto Sean’s hands, and he stepped forward. “Allow me. I’m her husband.”
“No!” Pearl clutched Sean’s collar in a white–knuckled grip upon hearing Jonah’s words. Judging by the look on her face, it was obvious she was terrified that Sean would hand her over to Jonah.
Her words supported her actions as she spat, “We’re already divorced! I want nothing to do with him!”
Chapter 13
