Chapter 5

Pearl regretted her words—her goodbye. Antonio had been nothing but kind to her and her daughter. But, if he’d known her actual state of mind, he would’ve run, not walked in the opposite direction. A raging panic attack had taken hold, and Pearl couldn’t think, or talk or even swallow. Her throat literally locked up as she glanced down at her daughter.

They had nowhere to go. Pearl had enough cash to last a couple of weeks—she’d drawn as much as she could from an ATM in Colombo before running to the U.S. Embassy. The daily transaction limit was only a thousand dollars—her only choice when the banks were closed. If she accessed her bank account, Rajin could track her location. She needed to start over without a digital or paper trail. Once he was caught and imprisoned, she would transfer her funds to an American bank.

What could she do with a thousand dollars? They’d need to find shelter and food. A job came first—she’d work anywhere, but her name could be a problem. “Pearl Bandara” could no longer exist. There was a solution, and it would cost money. Her limbs tingled as she thought of the insurmountable challenges.

“Can I also have a chocolate milkshake? Mommy, are you listening?”

“Yes, Bug. You can have a milkshake.” Pearl forced out the words.

The couple in front of them embraced, and the girl giggled at something he said. They looked so relaxed. The entire food court didn’t seem to have a care in the world. As Pearl shattered beneath her skin.

She was a bad mother. Maybe she should never have watched Rajin’s tapes—pretended ignorance. Aysha would still be in school and in a safe routine. She’d be brought up with privilege and protection—with an influential father who could be a president. Rajin would’ve looked after his daughter, and his generosity would have extended to Pearl. Had she made the wrong choice? Was it too late? Pearl’s knees shook as she focused on the shuffling line.

There hadn’t been a choice. Knowing what he’d done—the monstrous acts he’d performed—she would never have been able to leave Aysha alone with her father. The evil man would have zero influence on their child. And what about justice for his victims’ families?

“Pearl Bandara?”

Pearl jerked at the sound of her name. A tall blond man registered in her periphery, and she turned, shielding her child. Adrenaline spiked as two large men stood way too close. Stepping back, she narrowly avoided an outstretched arm.

“I thought that was you.” The blond man smiled.

Rajin’s men had already found her? Through her panic, Pearl looked for an escape. They were in a public place... if she screamed…

“You don’t remember me?”

His face seemed vaguely familiar, but she didn’t care. If they touched Aysha…

“Pearl—”

In a blur of movement, a hard body stepped in front of her and shoved the stranger back. “Who are you, and how do you know her name?”

Antonio. Relief had her wanting to sink to her knees.

“Whoa, buddy. Easy.”

“Back off, or I’ll call security—after I’m done pounding you to the floor.”

The blond guy raised his hands and stepped back. “I was just saying hello. Pearl, tell your bodyguard that we know each other.”

“I… I don’t know you.”

“Doctors Without Borders. Remember? My team came by your clinic a few months ago. When you held that mobile treatment day.”

Pearl tried to recall faces from that day. Her tired brain wouldn’t function.

“Doctor Sam Bridges. And this is Doctor Willard—he’s an optical surgeon.”

“That’s right.” Pearl smiled in relief. “I remember. You restore sight. Fifty surgeries a month in Sri Lanka?”

Antonio relaxed and moved to her side. As grateful as she felt that these were just two doctors traveling back to the States, she just wanted them gone. Pearl wanted to feed her tired child and rest for a moment before she decided on their future. Small talk with virtual strangers in an airport wasn’t ideal.

“How is your friend, Chantal? The chiropractor?”

Pearl forced a smile, knowing she would miss the treatment center she’d helped set up in Colombo. “Good. She never stops working.”

Doctor Bridges rambled on about his next trip to South America, and Pearl shifted her feet. She wanted to crawl out of her skin. The only person that mattered in her world was the tiny child by her side. They moved to the front of the line, and when their turn came, she interrupted the chatty doctor.

“I’m sorry—I need to feed Aysha. It was good to run into you. Good luck with Peru.”

The two men finally took their leave, and she ordered Aysha’s meal. After paying, she looked up and spotted Antonio—arms folded—waiting for them at the pick-up counter. He looked so solid and reassuring.

She walked over. “Aren’t you supposed to be at your gate?”

“First, we need to talk.”

“Oh, God, you got an update? On Rajin?”

“No—easy. Seeing those doctors approach you—I should have paid more attention and should never have walked away.”

“You have a flight to catch.”

“I’m in no hurry. Here let me help.”

Antonio took her carry-on bag, and Pearl grabbed the happy meal. They found a quiet table, and Pearl got Aysha situated with her milkshake and food.

“Aren’t you gonna eat?” Antonio asked.

Pearl shrugged. “I’m not hungry.”

He watched her, and his assessing gaze had her looking down as she fiddled with the paper from the straw. Her hands trembled, and she clenched them into fists.

“Where are you heading?”

“What?”

“You next flight? Which city?”

Pearl didn’t answer. Her fists squeezed, and she laid them on the table.

“You don’t have tickets, do you? I missed that detail when you were checking in—in Colombo.”

“I’ll buy tickets after McDees.”

“To where?”

“Mommy! Look—I got a dinosaur and a princess!” Aysha waved her toys in Pearl’s face.

“That’s nice, sweetie, play with your princess. And eat your chicken nuggets.”

“Pearl, to where?” Antonio persisted.

“Our destination isn’t your concern.”

“How much money do you have?”

“You have no business asking—”

“A thousand dollars? Two thousand? Five thousand?”

Her throat burned, and she looked away. “We’re fine and no longer your concern.”

“You’re not catching a flight, are you? I’m guessing a bus—a cheaper mode of transport.”

Pinning him with an angry stare, Pearl stood. “What do you want? You did what was asked, and now you can go on your merry way!”

“I want the truth. What are your plans?”

“Why—”

“Because I care.”

“We’ll be fine—I’ll be….” She couldn’t continue with the lie and felt her eyes fill with hot tears. “I don’t… I haven’t decided on a destination. This is… this is all so new and….” Pearl swiped at her cheek.

Antonio rose and circled the table. His strong hands cupped her shoulders as she dropped her head.

Her voice broke. “I don’t have a recent job history or a resume. We don’t have a home, and Aysha needs to go to school.”

“One step at a time.” He gently pulled her to his chest, and Pearl accepted the embrace.

“Mommy, what’s wrong?”

“Your mom is tired from the long flight. She’s just resting her head.”

“Does she want a nugget? I can give her my dinosaur.”

Pearl let out a watery chuckle but wasn’t ready to step out of the embrace. Antonio’s broad chest felt solid, and his arms held her so securely. “Hugs” in her world were a rare commodity. The only person she’d embraced was her good friend Chantal. And the last time Pearl had received a hug from a man was a couple of years ago—from Rajin. Which certainly didn’t feel like this. Nothing felt this good—this safe. And he smelled like soft spice—lavender and sandalwood. How did someone smell this good after such long flights?