Chapter 208 I Can't Do It Anymore
As he hugged her, Pearl's body went stiff. After a few seconds, she set down the frying pan and asked, "What's up? Dinner's almost ready."
Oscar just held her tighter, burying his face in her hair. Her familiar scent instantly calmed him. "Nothing, I just need to be with you. It makes me feel better."
Pearl's eyes stayed indifferent as she kept stirring the food. "The kitchen's full of smoke; it's not good for you."
Oscar replied, "Anywhere's fine as long as I'm with you."
In the past, Pearl would have felt warm and happy inside.
Now, her heart was as calm as still water, and Oscar's sweet words didn't seem to matter.
Maybe there had been too many days of waiting, and her heart had grown numb.
She didn't push him away, nor did she say much more. They stayed together quietly.
She knew these moments were rare and wouldn't come often.
When the meal was prepared, she gently tugged Oscar's hand away, turned to face him, and grinned. "Time to eat; it's all set. Just need to plate it up nicely, and we're good to go."
"No need for all the fuss," Oscar remarked. He wasn't picky; as long as she cooked it, he'd devour it happily.
"Girls appreciate a touch of elegance," Pearl quipped, ushering him out swiftly, leaving Oscar looking puzzled. "Take a seat, don't make me blush!"
After pushing him out, Pearl closed the kitchen door, keeping Oscar out.
Watching her busy back, even paying attention to the plating, created a warm atmosphere that made him smile unconsciously.
Oscar didn't refuse Pearl's kindness and sat at the dining table waiting for her.
It was late at night, the lights were dim, and the atmosphere was perfect.
His fingers tapped on the table, and when he heard a sound from the kitchen, he immediately looked up.
In the dim light, Oscar's deep gaze locked onto Pearl as she approached him slowly.
She wasn't wearing that stiff business suit but a white sweater and loose pants. Her skin was fair, and the white sweater made her skin seem to glow. Her lips were slightly curved, looking very happy, and her long hair was loosely tied at the back, making her appear gentle and beautiful.
Oscar found himself captivated involuntarily.
He thought Pearl looked even more beautiful than before; he had never noticed it before.
Pearl placed all the dishes on the dining table.
Home-cooked food, three dishes and a soup, enough for the two of them.
Pearl asked him, "Want some wine?"
Oscar shook off his reverie and returned to reality, controlling his emotions, and replied softly, "A little bit is fine."
"I'll get some red wine for you," Pearl said, hurrying to the wine cabinet.
Oscar's gaze remained fixed on Pearl as she returned and poured the red wine into the glass, and placed it in front of him.
Once everything was ready, Pearl sat down.
Pearl's glass contained juice. She proactively clinked glasses with Oscar. "Let's have a drink before we eat."
After speaking, Pearl drank directly.
Oscar looked at her, seeing that everything was ready. He gently swirled the wine in his glass and asked, "You seem more proactive today than usual."
It even felt a bit too enthusiastic.
Pearl drank in one gulp and then looked at Oscar, saying, "Really? People can't stay the same forever. Changing one's mindset can make life much easier."
Oscar seized on her words and asked again, "Was life hard before?"
Pearl looked at the empty glass in her hand and shook her head. "No. Ever since I married you, I haven't felt tired. With servants to attend to us and living a wealthy life, it's not tiring at all."
Oscar instinctively frowned. It sounded like she was being sarcastic. But looking at Pearl across the table, he felt she was very distant. The table wasn't very large, yet the distance between them felt vast. He said in a deep voice, "Pearl, come a little closer."
Pearl didn't refuse. She moved her chair closer and added some pasta to his plate. " Why aren't you eating? Do you think my cooking isn't good?"
Oscar looked at her, paused for a moment, then picked up his fork. "I've told you before, I'll eat anything you make."
He forked up the pasta she had added to his plate and put it in his mouth, nodding in approval. "Not bad, you have a real talent for cooking!"
He forked more pasta and took a few more bites.
When Pearl noticed his enjoyment of the meal, her emotions fluctuated greatly, and she smiled. "Let me taste it. Is it really as good as you say?"
She put her fork into another plate and took small bites. "It's just average, not as good as what the servants make."
Oscar chuckled, his hands never stopping, as if he hadn't eaten in a long time. "I think what you make tastes better."
Seeing him praise her so much, not being picky about her cooking, and constantly complimenting her culinary skills, Pearl felt for a moment that they were truly living as a married couple.
She looked at Oscar for a long time. His superior profile, even the way he drank soup, seemed so appealing, making her smile widen involuntarily, with a hint of a different emotion shimmering in her eyes.
"Remember to eat at regular times every day," Pearl advised. "No matter how hectic things get, skipping meals isn't an option. You can always make money gradually, but your health is irreplaceable. Once your stomach goes bad, it's a long road to recovery."
Oscar turned towards her, his large hand gently caressing her head, and asked softly, "Don't worry. As long as you're here, you'll make sure I remember, even in the busiest of times, right?"
His life was inseparable from Pearl.
She managed most of it, and as long as she was there, he had nothing to worry about.
"Yes." Pearl looked at him as well. "But I can't be with you forever. People always leave. If not now, then later. There's no such thing as a never-ending feast."
Oscar paused, his eyes darkening. "Are you telling me you want to leave?"
Pearl smiled. "You know it in your heart, don't you?"
Oscar's face changed, and the fork in his hand fell to the ground.
His head felt increasingly heavy, and Pearl's face became blurry and doubled before his eyes.
"Did you drug me?" Oscar felt his strength slowly ebbing away.
Pearl remained calm, pouring another glass of juice, but her eyes were filled with tears as she looked at Oscar. "Just a little, it won't harm your body. It will just help you get a good night's sleep."
Oscar grabbed Pearl's sleeve, his vision growing blurrier. He struggled to sit up, gasping, "Can you not leave?"
Pearl looked into his eyes, sensing his reluctance to let her go. Despite this, she gently removed his hand, saying, "Thank you for looking after me all these years. Even without me, you'll find someone else. No one is irreplaceable in this world. You need someone who will care for you and be understanding. I believe many can fulfill that role, but I can no longer do so."
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