Chapter 2
902 Words
Pearl wasn't the biological child of my parents.
Yet at home, I felt I was like an outsider.
My biological parents mistakenly took Pearl with them when we were born, so Pearl lived as a pampered daughter for twenty years, while I endured my abusive, alcoholic parents for two decades. Her life should belong to me.
By the time my real parents found me, it was too late.
Pearl, the daughter they had raised for twenty years, was naturally closer to them than I was—I was a stranger who had just returned.
Even though my parents showered me with material compensation, the emotional distance was palpable.
Our names alone made it obvious: Pearl was their beloved pearl, while my name, Jocelyn, merely represented their brief joy when they found me.
While I was struggling to adjust to this family, I met Kenneth.
He and Pearl were childhood sweethearts, with everyone expecting them to marry.
But he fell for me, launching a relentless pursuit on me.
Fearing it would upset Pearl, I repeatedly turned him down.
But then Pearl approached me, claiming she had no feelings for Kenneth, which finally put me at ease to accept his advances.
Kenneth treated me with the utmost care, never arguing with me and attending to my every need.
I once truly believed I had found my true love.
Little did I know, it was merely the beginning of my nightmare.
Kenneth and Pearl grew up together, but Kenneth insisted Pearl was like a sister to him.
I accepted his attentiveness towards her.
But soon, he would take Pearl with him while dating me, and when buying gifts for me, he would buy one for Pearl. Even on our wedding day, he left me alone at midnight just because Pearl wanted to see the sunrise.
Yet everyone, including my parents, saw this as perfectly normal.
I silently endured it all, constantly reminding myself Pearl was my sister.
Because Kenneth hated hassle, I was forced to wear the same clothes and eat the same food as Pearl, just to make shopping easier for him.
After five years of marriage, I had become accustomed to losing my sense of self.
But today, a sudden realization hit me.
Those who didn't care about me would never change, no matter what I did.
*****
"What did you say? You want to divorce Kenneth? Did something happen?"
A soft, delicate voice floated from the door, sickeningly sweet to my ears.
I looked up towards the door and, sure enough, there was Pearl in a white dress, her hand still on the doorknob, her eyes full of concern.
"None of your business," I replied coldly.
If I hated Kenneth, I loathed Pearl.
When my parents first found me, I cared about her feelings, not daring to be too close to my parents.
Even after I got married, I accepted her calling Kenneth's name in such an intimate tone and made sure she got a share of anything nice.
And how did she repay me?
She cried to my parents behind my back, accusing me of stealing her things, and repeatedly intruded on my time with Kenneth.
I had long seen through her facade.
Now, she stood at the door, pale-faced, holding a lunchbox, looking every bit like a concerned sister.
Kenneth turned around, quickly getting up to take the lunchbox from her.
"You should have the nanny bring this over. Why did you trouble yourself coming?"
He looked at Pearl, frowning, his eyes full of worry and care.
My heart ached with sharp pain.
Whenever Kenneth and I went out, I always carried my belongings. He told me he didn't want me to be a girl who relied on others.
Yet with Pearl, he was endlessly attentive, unwilling to let her lift a finger.
Pearl smiled and shook her head, her face full of concern as she held Kenneth's hand.
"Kenneth, did you and Jocelyn have an argument? Is it because of me? If it is, I'll leave right now."
"Kenneth, Jocelyn's a bit temperamental. My parents and I have always been patient with her. Thank you for your tolerance."
Temperamental? Patient?
I almost wanted to give her an Oscar for her performance.
Unfortunately, even the worst acting could fool someone.
Kenneth freed a hand to playfully tap her forehead, then gently kissed her hands.
"It's not because of you. It's a matter between her and me. Don't always take everything on yourself, silly girl."
"The lunchbox is so heavy, and your hands must hurt. Let me kiss them."
"It doesn't hurt! Kenneth, you're the best!"
Pearl bounced happily like a carefree child, wrapping her arms around Kenneth's neck with a happy smile.
I watched, feeling nauseous, and finally coughed twice.
They seemed to suddenly remember I was still present, quickly pulling apart.
Kenneth brought the lunchbox over, carefully opened it, and presented it to me.
"Jocelyn, no matter what, you need to take care of yourself. Once you're out of the hospital, I'll take you wherever you want to go."
Looking at the man I'd been married to for five years, I only felt revulsion.
"Yeah! Jocelyn, where do you want to go? Let's go together!"
Pearl suddenly piped up, her face full of innocent curiosity.
I forced a smile, letting out a word.
"Hell."
"What?" Pearl blinked, instinctively asking once more.
"I said, I'll take you both to HELL."
- Writer
