Terence hurriedly set down the knife and snatched the ice cream from Pearlie’s hand.

“I’ll just have one bite. Please, Uncle Terry?” Pearlie blinked her wide eyes, clasping her hands together in a pleading gesture.

Terence flashed her a doting smile but still shook his head. “No.”

Pearlie puffed her cheeks and plopped onto the floor, clinging to his leg like a stubborn child. “I just want ice cream! Why won’t you let me have it? You hate me, do you?” she whined, her voice dripping with dramatic insistence.

Eventually, Terence sighed, defeated. “Fine. Just one bite,” he relented, handing the ice cream back to her. She took a small nibble, then he casually finished the rest himself, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

When his eyes met mine, his expression froze for a fleeting second before returning to normal. It was brief, but enough for me to notice the hesitation before he masked it with indifference.

“Terry, my stomach hurts!” Pearlie suddenly complained, cutting through the tension as she pressed a hand to her abdomen. She didn’t even glance at me before demanding, “Help me massage it!”

Terence immediately turned his full attention to her. Scooping her into his arms, he carried her to the sofa. “You little glutton. I told you not to eat cold things. Now look what happened,” he scolded gently, his voice full of affection as his hands rubbed her stomach in soothing circles.

As Pearlie basked in his undivided attention, she threw me a triumphant smirk—the same smug grin she always wore when she managed to outmaneuver me. Her childish tricks never failed to get under my skin.

“I’m hungry. Do you have food?” Pearlie asked, glancing up at him with a pout.

Terence, still focused on her, finally spoke. “Brigitte, go make some food. I’ll keep rubbing Pearl’s stomach.”

His words hit me like a slap. After all these years together, this was the first time he addressed me directly—and it was to ask me to cook for her.

“Ask Imogene to do it. I’m tired,” I replied coolly, heading toward the bedroom.

Apparently, that was the wrong answer. His face darkened and he slammed his palm against the table, sending a cup flying to the floor with a loud crash.

“You vanish for two days and come back with a sour face. I ask you to make some food and you act like I told you to move a mountain. What’s your deal?” His glare cut right through me.

“You disappeared for two days and suddenly appeared with a scowling face. I asked you to make a meal and all you did was act like I asked you to build a skyscraper. What's wrong with you?” His glare pierced through me. “Pearl isn’t feeling well, why can’t you see that?” Pearlie chimed in, her voice soft and trembling. “It’s okay, Terry. Looks like Bridgitte doesn’t want me here, maybe I should just leave…”

Pearlie chimed in, her voice soft and trembling. “It’s okay, Terry. Looks like Brigitte doesn’t want me here. Maybe I should just leave…”

“No, you’re not going anywhere,” Terence reassured her firmly. “I don’t care what she thinks. You’re not feeling well and who’s going to take care of you if you leave, silly girl?”

Watching the two of them, so wrapped up in their little world, I didn’t bother arguing. Instead, I retreated to my room, shutting the door behind me.

I used to fight back, accusing Terence of having an unhealthy relationship with Pearlie. But every time, he dismissed me, saying my thoughts were twisted and dirty. Our arguments always ended in tears and frustration, leaving me drained and hopeless.

Desperate, I once suggested we get married, thinking it would force Pearlie to back off. Yet Terence always had an excuse. “Not the right time,” he’d say.

When I finally gave him an ultimatum—either we marry or break up—he reluctantly agreed. But on the day we went to the registry office, he left me standing outside. Pearlie had called him and without hesitation, he rushed to her side, leaving me humiliated in front of strangers.

Friends told me I was a fool, that Terence never intended to marry me. But I stubbornly clung to the hope that things would change, trapping myself in this farce of a relationship.

Not anymore. I’d had enough.

That night, Terence came into the bedroom with a glass of warm milk. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he placed it on the nightstand and leaned in close.

“Is everything okay? Are you upset about what happened earlier?” His voice sounded tired.

“No, I’m just tired,” I said, turning away from him.

“I don’t believe you.” He sighed, slipping an arm around my waist. “Look, Pearl’s just a kid. She’s always been headstrong and even I can’t put too much pressure on her. Don’t be upset because of her, okay?”

Terence softened his tone as he pulled me into a tight hug. My response was silence and I gently pulled away from his embrace. But my coldness didn’t sit well with him. His jaw tightened as he muttered through gritted teeth, “Brigitte, I’m doing this for you. Pearl is here! If she finds out we’re sleeping apart, it’ll reflect badly on you.” His voice was low, probably to avoid waking Pearlie, but the frustration in his words was unmistakable.

At some point that night, a thunderstorm rolled in, filling the air with flashes of lightning and booming thunder. Without thinking, I curled into Terence’s side and his arm instinctively came around me. “It’s okay. I’m here,” he murmured. For a fleeting moment, I felt the warmth of the man I once loved.

Then the door creaked open.

Standing there in a lacy slip was Pearlie, trembling like a frightened kitten. “Terry, I’m scared. Can I sleep with you?” Her voice wavered, but the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her true intentions.

Terence hesitated, glancing at me. But the way his arm slipped away said everything. A deafening crack of thunder followed as Pearlie launched herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest. His hands cradled her protectively, whispering reassurances.

I watched as the two clung to each other and retrieved silently.  The storm outside no longer seemed so terrifying.

The next morning, my phone buzzed with a call from the director. His cheerful tone was a stark contrast to the turmoil in my heart.

“Brigitte, you’ve finally agreed! Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve made up my mind,” I said firmly.

“Make sure you’re prepared and inform your family. You know the risks involved in this project,” he said, his concern evident.

“I have no family left to inform,” I replied, my voice steady despite the weight of my words. “My brother gave his life for this project three years ago. I’ll finish what he couldn’t. I won’t back out now.”

“Okay, come when you're ready!” Mr. Harvey sighed before agreeing.

“I’ll be there in three days,” I said quickly and hung up, hearing the sound of footsteps behind me.

“Where are you going?” Terence appeared behind me without warning, startling me.

“Nothing, just going for a walk,” I said, offering a random excuse to get away.

But Terence, looking tired, pulled me over and pressed his hands on my shoulders. “Brigitte, stop being like. Pearl’s been terrified of storms since she was a kid. Don’t be mad, okay?”

“Okay,” I replied, keeping my tone indifferent.

“What’s the matter with you? You’ve been acting strange lately,” he pressed, his frustration clear as he pulled me into an embrace. “What’s wrong? If there’s something upsetting you, you can talk to me.”

I shook my head, refusing to answer. What was there left to say? He frowned deeply, his gaze piercing, but I stayed silent.

Then Pearlie appeared, her arms wrapping around Terence’s as she pouted. “Terry, I need to head back to campus. Can you drive me?” Her eyes darted to me, filled with smug defiance.

Terence hesitated for a brief moment, his gaze flickering toward me. Only when he was sure I wouldn’t react did he nod and leave with Pearlie.

After they left, I began packing. One by one, I burned every photo we had together, leaving no trace of the memories we’d once shared. While sorting through his room, I found a small lion plushie covered in dust in the corner. I had made it for him, embedding strands of my hair into the stitching as a token of love. Now, it felt like a cruel joke.

For the first time, I was relieved we never made it to the city hall to get married. At least I wouldn’t have to deal with the legalities of separation.

Three days later, I stood at the airport, my suitcase in hand. The sense of freedom was almost intoxicating as I approached the entrance. But before I could step inside, a hand clamped over my mouth from behind, dragging me backward. I struggled, my heart pounding in terror, as a cloth was tied over my eyes and my hands and feet were pinned down. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t scream. Darkness engulfed me.