Chapter 74. Between Worlds

Leaving Pier and Amanda behind was a heart-wrenching necessity, an unwelcome repetition in my life's narrative. The frequent flights between the Philippines and Arizona had become a wearisome routine, the anticipation of travel offering no solace. Yet, my current journey demanded my return to the Philippines to process Pearl's essential documents, an inevitable step to ensure her presence beside me in the tumultuous days that lay ahead.

As I cradled Pearl in my arms, her eight-month-old innocence radiated in the quiet moments of our shared embrace. "I'm sorry I missed your eight-month birthday, baby," I murmured, showering her with snuggles and tender kisses. The transient warmth of our connection was a bittersweet reminder of the challenges that awaited, pulling me away from the familial cocoon we had woven in Arizona.

Once Pearl succumbed to the embrace of sleep, I tiptoed away, leaving her in the care of Silas. The kitchen beckoned, offering a