Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl (Pearl and Richard) novel Chapter 1419

Finnegan knew Esther wouldn't easily speak up. He calmly picked up his cup and took a sip.

Finally, he said with a slight smile, "Aren't you an actress? We haven't seen each other for years. But why have you gained weight?"

Esther was stunned. She wondered why he would start with such a surprising question.

She quickly forgot her previous discomfort and snapped back, "How can you say that? We haven't seen each other for years. But look at you now. Why did you turn out so bad?"

Finnegan had expected her to react like this. Seeing her puff up with anger, he felt a strange mix of familiarity and admiration. "You were never shy or reserved with me. You've never been polite either."

Esther bit her lip, unsure of what to say next. "I thought you would scold me."

Finnegan raised his eyebrows and looked her over, then he clicked his tongue. "Why would I? I hope you've been doing well since you returned. But it turns out he left you, and you've been having a tough time. So why would I scold you?"

His words touched a sore spot. Though Esther had moved past that incident, his mention of it made her feel unfairly treated. She lowered her head, staying silent.

"You're not going to cry, are you?" Finnegan realized his words might have been too harsh. He wanted to comfort her but wasn't sure what to say.

"No, it's just the wind. It got in my eyes," Esther said stubbornly, not wanting to show any weakness in front of him. She rubbed her eyes as if to prove it was just the wind.

Finnegan was relieved to see she could still make light of the situation. He sighed inwardly. "We're indoors, you know."

But as she listened, the sting faded. She even grew numb to it.

'Oh no,' she thought, 'I've actually become a kiss-*ss.

Finnegan noticed her mixed reactions—nodding, shaking her head, looking serious, and then deeply sighing. It confused him. "What's going on with you?"

He wondered if her last relationship had deeply affected her. Feeling regretful about his harsh words, he softened his tone. "I know a great therapist. If you're okay with it, I can take you to see him. Please don't be like this. It scares me."

Meanwhile, Esther secretly cursed Finnegan, thinking him the real crazy one.