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Annalise responded with a brief nod. “I heard that ladies appreciate these products nowadays. I bought it online,” she said, her voice holding a note of pride and perhaps a touch of hope. It seemed like a peace offering, an olive branch extended after years of tension.
Despite the polite and normal interaction, a palpable tension filled the room. Everyone seemed to hold their breath, waiting for a sign of whether this gift would mend fences or add another layer of ice to their chilly relationship.
For a long time, Pauline and Annalise had a strained relationship, to put it mildly. Their personalities clashed significantly, and Annalise often overstepped personal boundaries, giving unsolicited advice and making cutting remarks that left Pauline feeling undermined and resentful.
It was only after Carl threatened to sever ties that Annalise moderated her behavior and reduced conflicts with Pauline. Thus, this gesture, albeit minor, seemed like a cautious step toward mending their relationship.
As the celebration ended and guests departed, Pauline found herself in the bathroom, evaluating the skincare items. The creams were packaged elegantly, their containers sleek and inviting.
Carl joined her, embracing her waist. “I can’t believe your mother got me this,” Pauline expressed, opening one of the creams. The texture was creamy and rich, a testament to its high quality.
Carl smiled optimistically. “I’m just as surprised. But maybe this is a positive sign for us, right?” There was hope in his voice, a desire for normalcy in their family dynamics that had been absent for too long.
Pauline nodded, gently applying the cream to her face. “These products are costly. I’m eager to see the effect on my skin tomorrow.”
However, they could never have predicted what the next morning would bring.
Pauline woke to the gentle morning sunlight, but something felt amiss. Her face burned, and her eyelids were heavy and crusty. Slowly blinking, she tried to orient herself in the dim morning light.
“Ouch,” she muttered, touching her face only to experience a sharp pain. “Oh no!”
She abruptly sat up, feeling her skin tighten and crack with each movement. Stumbling to the bathroom mirror, Pauline gasped in horror at her reflection. Her face was covered in severe red blotches and peeling skin, appearing as if the outer layer had been completely removed. Some areas were so raw they seemed almost burnt.
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