"I managed to get by. | found a regular job, nothing fancy, but it helpedmake ends meet. However, that thug's family kept
harassing me. They demanded money every month, threatening to ruin my life if | didn't comply. Eventually, | had no choice but to
resign. | ended up working as a street cleaner out of desperation. They finally backed off when they saw how miserable | had
become."
Despite the hardships she faced, Saule still retained her dignity and poise. Pearl couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness when she
thought about Saule's miserable past.
"Then, one day, | was attacked on the street for no reason. When | cto, | found myself naked on an operating table."
Pearl felt a surge of indignation at the thought of Saule's ordeal.
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"They claimed my blood was unique and could be used for experiments. | was terrified. | tried to escape, but they beat me. In the
end, they didn't conduct any experiments on me. They simply keptlocked up, knowing they could profit from my blood."
Pearl's expression hardened. The realization dawned on her that Saule's resemblance to her could have made her a target, a
means of controlling Pearl.
"I've met you before, Pearl."
"When and where did we meet?" Pearl's curiosity was piqued. She hadn't traveled abroad for nearly six months, except for the trip
with Hugo to treat Beah's illness.
"I saw you in the red-light district while | was working as a street cleaner. | tried to dissuade you, but you were determined to go,"
Saule recalled.
Pearl finally recalled that incident. She had disguised herself and ventured into the red-light district to get the herbs to cure Gigi.
But she didn't take the cleaner's warning seriously and forgot about it.
"I remember now. Did you recognizethen?"
Tears welled up in Saule's eyes. "You're my daughter, and you look so much likewhen | was younger. How could | not recognize
you?"
She had initially thought she was seeing things, but the second tshe saw Pearl, she was certain. Pearl's features were a mirror
image of her own youthful face.
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But she didn't want to burden Pearl with the knowledge of her mother's lowly occupation. She forced herself to keep her distance,
observing Pearl from afar whenever she could.
"Why didn't you reveal yourself tothen?" Pearl's heart ached at the thought of what Saule had endured alone. If only she had
known, she would have offered her mother comfort and support.
"I didn't want to embarrass you. The last thing | wanted was for you to discover that your mother was reduced to cleaning streets
for a living."
Saule had spared Pearl the shof associating with a mother of lowly status. Beah was a charming and remarkable woman,
making her a more fitting choice to be Pearl's mother.
"No, that's not true. No matter what you did, you're still my mother. | would only feel compassion for what you've endured. | would
never look down on you," Pearl said.