Chapter 89. The Crossroad

“What are you talking about, Dad?” Keith frowned in confusion at John’s oddly attitude. He looked gloomy.

“I wasn't a good father to Pearl. She is too precious for me.”

Keith still stared at John silently. His hand reached for John's hand and held it. Even though he could see that his father was missing Pearl, John treated Pearl differently. John loves Pearl more as if he is afraid of losing her. This is different from Briana, who is given a lot of freedom. Pearl often looks helpless.

“She is fine, Dad.” Keith could only say things that would please his father. John turned to Keith gloomily.

“I won't be able to sleep until I see her. She's a poor little girl.”

Keith couldn't shake off the strange feeling that suddenly sipping in his heart. Not only that, Keith felt that John was hiding a secret. Keith just smiled faintly. Without discussing it any more, Keith persuaded John to go to sleep and rest. John refused. Keith also called the nurse.

"My father can't sleep," Keith reported to the nurse. The nurse then injected medicine that would make John drowsy. Keith then chose to leave the room. It would be better if he looked for a warm drink rather than waiting in the room.

On his way to the cafeteria, Keith stopped. He was stunned to see Doctor Louis and Billy chatting. Keith was thinking about talking to one of them. He didn't want to hold any more suspicion on John. But as he was about to get closer, he heard something that made him stop in his tracks.

“Pearl cannot be at the Kellent Center. If she changes herself, she could die," said Doctor Louis, repeating his explanation to Billy. Keith widened his eyes in surprise. He immediately hid looking for the nearest place. Keith hid himself behind the wall and kept trying to hear the conversation.

“Yes, but we can't take her now. That's impossible with such strict guarding, doctor." Billy gave Louis an excuse. Louis took a long, deep breath. He understood Pearl's position now. if they confronted Taggart openly, then Taggart would do things they didn't want.

“I can't wait any longer. Pearl must know her true identity.”

Keith's eyes widened. Keith pressed his back against the wall and then closed his eyes tightly. Keith's thoughts immediately wandered far away. He thought bad things.

"What is this? what happened?” Keith muttered quietly to himself.

“Doctor, if Miss Pearl finds out about her truly. Can she take it? She will be shocked and probably denied everything," Billy described something that had been bothering him all this time.

"What are you considering now?"

“I think if John Rosenthal confessed, Miss Pearl might have taken it better.”

"Then do you think John will admit that Pearl is not his biological daughter?"

Keith seemed to have an attack of shock once again. Not only that, it felt like what Doctor Louis had just said made his head hurt. Keith shook his head quickly. He doesn't believe that Pearl is not his father's child.

“No way,” Keith muttered under his breath. He didn't want to listen anymore at all. Doctor Louis and Billy walked together in the other direction while Keith was in the opposite direction. Keith was confused about where he was going until he ended up going out the door in the east wing.

“What am I doing here?” Keith was confused and looked around. He lifted his eyes to look upwards. St. Mary's Hospital building the majestic and exquisite St. Elizabeth Hospital did not provide him the comfort he desired. Keith felt suffocated and wanted to leave because the reality he knew was the worst.

***

Taggart returned from the nightclub past midnight. He has not been able to get information about Matthew Bronckhorst's return until now. When Taggart arrived at the hospital, Bruce was waiting for him.

"Dad," Taggart said as he moved closer to Bruce. Bruce took a deep breath coming to hug him. Taggart felt strange at first even though he didn't refuse.

“This will all be over. We've caught the culprit, right?” Taggart was stunned and did not answer.

“They will be punished tomorrow.” Bruce continued.

"Who do you mean?"

“Evan and Calvin. They are Pearl Rosenthal's kidnappers.”

Taggart snorted in annoyance then shook his head. He glanced briefly at the door to Pearl's treatment room.

“Not them but Matthew Bronckhorst,” Taggart demanded a big catch of the real mastermind. Bruce took a deep breath and kept his eyes on Taggart.

"There is not enough evidence if we point fingers at Matthew,"

"What!" Taggart replied with an angry expression. Bruce could already predict what would happen. Despite this, he still demands the justice that Pearl should get.

"Dad, you know exactly who had them," Taggart insisted on adding his opinion.

“They withdrew that statement. the elders have asked and they answered as they should.” Taggart's brows furrowed in incomprehension. He became increasingly annoyed and chuckled mockingly.

“Then you just keep quiet? Pearl is kidnapped and tortured by them. If I had come a little later, she would have died, Dad!” Taggart became increasingly disappointed and raised his voice. Bruce's mouth seemed to be locked and he couldn't defend himself. He also knew who was behind the kidnapping but couldn't do anything to help. Disappointed, Taggart turned around and went into the treatment room.

"I'm sorry," Bruce tried to apologize because he felt guilty but Taggart chose to close the door to the treatment room.

Taggart chose to accompany Pearl who was still asleep. Even though Pearl still looks injured, she is still as beautiful as before. Taggart's handheld Pearl's as he sat down next to her. He placed her hand on his forehead while closing his eyes as if he was begging.

"Forgive me. I tried to be fair by restraining myself. I did not kill so that you would not fear and hate me. But it seems that this holds you from getting justice." Taggart muttered as he held Pearl's hand and closed his eyes. Pearl probably couldn't hear everything. However, Taggart could feel that Pearl would understand.

“If you wake up, you will ask me to step back and not do anything bad. You are too kind, Baby.” Taggart took a deep, disappointed breath. He had a feeling that everything would turn around. The injustice was just an opportunity for Matthew to let himself go.

"What should I do?"

This was the first time Taggart doubted himself. If someone had bothered him before, he would have killed that person. but after he got to know Pearl, everything changed. Taggart is someone who knows boundaries and a sense of humanity. Something a hybrid like him shouldn't have.

Slowly as the night began to calm down, Taggart felt a warm caress on the top of his head. He opened his eyes slowly and Pearl's smile was what he saw. Pearl held her cheeks with her warm hands. Her scent is so calming. Something Taggart had never felt before.

“Are you awake, Baby?” Taggart muttered with a slight smile. Pearl nodded slowly then brought her face closer to Taggart. Taggart was still sitting in the chair at the edge of Pearl's bed. Meanwhile, Pearl was sitting on the bed as normal without any pain in her body.

“What's bothering you?” Pearl asked still with a gentleness that made Taggart even more at peace. Taggart held Pearl's hands in both of his. He closed his eyes for a moment then smiled again.

"I couldn't protect you as it should." Taggart seemed to be admitting his flaws. Previously, Taggart always prided himself on being the best. He has no weaknesses at all and this makes his arrogance very clear.

“Then what are you going to do? Are you going to let me go?”

Taggart was stunned. He knew that this wasn't a dream. Pearl was braver in asking annoying and annoying questions.

"No. I never thought like that.” Pearl smiled and then stroked Taggart's cheek gently. Taggart still looks at Pearl with love and hope. He wants her not to leave him because he has weaknesses.

"Then what do you think?"

“I just want to have you,” Taggart answered firmly without hesitation. Pearl was still smiling.

“I can see that, but you are an Alpha. You have more important things to think about besides me.”

Taggart pulled heavier air into his lungs. It was as if he could already guess what Pearl was going to say.

"Don't think I will leave you." Taggart's voice was lower with a hint of growl. Pearl shook her head but still smiled. while Taggart started to feel uncomfortable.

“Taggart, you are the hope of your kind. If they don't get you it's a misfortune. I'm sure you wouldn't want that to happen." Taggart still watched silently.

"If with me you only find the world narrow and full of hurt, maybe it would be better if you let me go," Pearl spoke calmly leaving Taggart stunned. Taggart was silent and slowly frowned.

“You might not like it, but, you will understand. That fate happens for a reason.”

Taggart moved his face away from Pearl suddenly. Pearl was also surprised but she was still smiling. After a sharp stare, Taggart narrowed his eyes.

"Who are you?"

Taggart jolted from his sleep and was shocked. He glanced at Pearl who was still sleeping soundly like a sleeping beauty.