Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl (Pearl and Richard)

Chapter 1362

Luther took Pearl home, and Dar was dropped off as promised.

Pearl embraced Darius, who seemed thrilled. "Darius, what did you do today?"

Darius couldn't stop talking about his day. "Mister Luther had someone take me to lots of fun places! I went to the zoo and even had KFC, which you never let me eat. Maybe he could be my dad?"

Pearl gently tapped his head. "Don't talk like that. He can't be your dad."

Darius's mood changed as he noticed Pearl's troubled face; his eyes welled up. "Mom, are you okay? Did Mister Luther upset you? Tell me if he did. I'll handle it!"

Pearl, looking uncomfortable, reassured him. "I'm fine, but you must remember, your dad is always Richard. Understand?"

Darius looked surprised but nodded earnestly. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll listen to you!"

Pearl sighed in relief, her son's obedience comforting her. "Darius, listen, I'm going to pick you up these days. Don't go with anyone else, okay? Wait for me."

Darius, puzzled, asked, "Mom, did you and Mister Luther fight? It seems like you don't want me around him."

Pearl, finding her son too perceptive, decided to change the topic. She ruffled his hair playfully. "I just think I haven't spent enough time with you lately. Wouldn't you like to hang out more with me?"

"Of course, I want to!" Darius responded eagerly, snuggling into her embrace. "Mom, when will you and Dad be together again?"

His question reflected his happiness at her earlier confirmation of Richard as his dad.

"I'll explain that later. Isn't it your bedtime?"

Darius agreed and got ready for bed. "I'll go wash up. Good night, Mom!"

"Good night, darling."

After tucking Darius into bed, Pearl settled on the sofa, lost in her thoughts about the day's events and Richard's words. It looked like she had hurt him for real.

Just as she was absorbed in her reflections, a knock at the door startled her. The knock was gentle, as if the visitor was trying to be quiet.

Curious and cautious, Pearl peeked through the peephole. A familiar face close-up made her jump back. The knocking continued.

Realizing late who it was, Pearl hurried to open the door, and Richard, appearing inebriated, stumbled in.

Pearl caught him, struggling to keep both of them from falling. "Richard, what's going on? Why are you out drinking so late?"