Chapter 263 I Can Change for You
Eric stared at Oscar, his expression shifting from shock to surprise. "Why do you care so much about this? Does it really matter if the kidnapped girl was Pearl or not?"
Oscar's eyes softened a bit. "I'm investigating something and stumbled upon this. The kidnapped girl wasn't Pearl, but Pearl thinks she was. If there's nothing to hide, why does Pearl have this memory?"
Eric's face changed several times.
"This happened at the school you manage, Eric. Can you explain?" Oscar pressed.
He wondered if there is anything bigger going on
Eric sighed and sat up straight. "I can't give you a full answer, but I'll tell you what I know."
Oscar's eyes darkened.
Eric picked up the photo. "Pearl's memory is confused. The kidnapped girl had the same name. Her parents asked me to keep it quiet."
"Why hide it?" Oscar asked, puzzled.
Eric shrugged. "I'm not sure. Pearl was in high school then. Her parents begged me not to expose it. Everyone had to treat her as that girl. I don't know why her memory is confused."
"Aren't you worried Pearl will find out she wasn't the girl?"
Eric shook his head. "It was a long time ago. Newspapers get replaced quickly. She wouldn't check it out. It's a past she doesn't want to remember. Her family wouldn't let her find out."
Pearl had never mentioned this. If Oscar hadn't asked about that man, Pearl wouldn't tell him, and he wouldn't pay attention or wondered if the gunfire existed. A series of questions led him to discover Pearl's confused memory. So, did Magee exist?
Oscar's goal was to find this person. "Was there ever someone named Magee around her?"
Eric thought carefully, then shook his head. "I don't remember anyone like that."
Oscar narrowed his eyes, suspecting Magee might be imaginary.
Pearl's high school experience was a nightmare she didn't want to remember. Her family preferred a story of a hero saving her.
Who was the father of her child? Did Pearl mistake someone for Magee, willingly getting pregnant, trapped in a lie? If so, it was worse.
Her parents must know the truth. Pearl's disappearance for a summer was suspicious.
Oscar, convinced Eric wasn't lying, nodded. "It's late. I'll leave now."
Eric stood up quickly. "I just don't understand, what is Pearl to you? Why do you care so much?"
He now figured that Pearl might be more than just a secretary to Oscar.
Oscar looked him in the eye. "She's my wife."
Eric was taken aback. "I just found out today. If I ever said anything inappropriate, please don't hold it against me."
He remembered trying to set Pearl up with Adrian and even his own daughter tried too.
"You're overthinking it, Eric," Oscar replied. "It's late, so I'll head out."
Eric, being friendly, saw them off.
---
It was early morning. Pearl lay in bed, feeling hungry.
Lately, she got hungry more often and craved salty and spicy foods. She could handle much spicier food now but felt too tired to move, preferring to sleep. She curled up in her blanket.
Suddenly, she heard a noise and woke up. It was a knock on the door. She got up to open it and found Oscar standing there.
Pearl's drowsiness vanished. "Why are you back? I thought you'd gone home."
Oscar replied, "I was worried about you."
"I'm at home. What's there to worry about?"
Oscar glanced at her belly with concern. "You're pregnant. You need to be careful. If you fall or get hungry, there's no one to help you."
She was living alone now, unlike when she was with him. Oscar walked in, carrying a bag.
Pearl smelled something delicious. "Mexican chicken soup?"
Oscar nodded. "Yes."
He unwrapped the packaging and handed her a fork and knife. "Come eat."
Pearl found it strange. Oscar never ate such things. She loved them, but the idea of him buying Mexican chicken soup for her was unimaginable.
Pearl walked over, suspicious. "Did you buy this?"
Oscar looked at her. "Who else?"
Pearl sat down, puzzled. "You've never touched this stuff."
"But you like it," Oscar said.
Pearl had many questions.
In the past, she had catered to his dietary preferences, avoiding junk food. How did he know?
Oscar added, "Magdalen said pregnant women have changing tastes and get hungry easily. You've been craving spicy food. I asked around, and many girls like this."
When he bought it, there were many people, both men and women. He couldn't understand it. The flavor was too strong, but since Pearl liked it, he didn't mind.
Oscar added, "You can have it occasionally, but not too often."
It was overly spicy and salty, not good for health.
Pearl looked at him. Oscar calmly unwrapped the packaging and handed it to her. "Go ahead, eat."
Pearl found it hard to believe Oscar would buy her Mexican chicken soup. "Why did you buy this? How did you know I was hungry? You never liked doing such things before."
Oscar's deep eyes narrowed slightly. "Pearl, can't you see? I care about you. That's why I go out of my way to satisfy you. Just because I don't like something doesn't mean it's a boundary for me. I can change for you."
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