"We live under the same stars, missing you day and night, yet unable to meet."
Pearl flinched at these all-too-familiar words. "Why does that sound so familiar to me?"
Richard ignored her and continued reading, "The pain of being apart seems endless. I hope you feel the same, not letting me down."
That's when Pearl realized what he was reading, feeling a mix of panic and helplessness. "How did you find out about this?"
Richard gave her a cold look. "Calm down, there's more." He continued, "Swans pair up in the lake, just as men are drawn to beautiful women.
"The lake's edge is bordered with lush bushes, where men seek virtuous ladies.
"Yet he cannot win her affection, missing her so much he loses sleep.
"The bushes grow, and he plays music, hoping to attract her attention.
"The beauty of the bushes remains, and he plays the drum, hoping to win her heart."
Richard's deep voice made the poem come alive, captivating Pearl. But this was new to her.
"What are you reading?"
Richard sneered. "The handwriting's different. Who do you think wrote it?"
Pearl was shocked. She remembered Damian saying he had replied on the back of the letter.
"No, it doesn't. I was ignorant at that time. Plus, it wasn't anything good since I just copied it. It wasn't even sincere." It was best to calm Richard down, so Pearl would not dwell on reality instead.
"You really liked him back then, didn’t you?" Richard's voice was tinged with sadness, frustration, and a hint of anger.
"Not really." Pearl’s affection for Damian grew as he cared for her, sparking those feelings. She wasn’t even sure how deep her feelings were.
"And how do you think I felt, finding this? You’ve kept it all this time."
Richard was understandably upset. Had Pearl truly moved on, she might have discarded such letters.
But she hadn’t. She cherished them, an action that spoke of lingering attachment.
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