Chapter 2

"I…" Winona started to say, a wry smile playing on her lips. She was just about to declare her reason for being there—to have an abortion—when Queenie quickly came over and linked arms with her. "I bet that Winona is here for a prenatal check-up since she's pregnant too!" Queenie exclaimed before turning to Winona with a feigned look of guilt. She continued, "I'm really sorry, Winona, for keeping Joseph to myself lately. It's just that, given my recent ordeal and fragile state, if word got out that this baby belonged to one of the abductors, I genuinely wouldn't be able to handle it…" Her eyes then welled up with tears as she added, "I have no choice but to let Joseph be this baby's father. If you really hate me, then go ahead and strike me!" Before Winona could respond, Joseph cut in, his voice full of concern as he said, "You shouldn't say such things, Queenie. I've already assured Winona that those rumors won't last. And besides, I'm sure that she's magnanimous enough not to hold this against you." Having heard that, Winona briefly closed her eyes, finding herself truly magnanimous. It was so much so that she was willing to divorce Joseph and relinquish him to Queenie, facilitating the reunification of their so-called "family of three". "Yes, I don't mind at all," Winona replied calmly, going along with what Joseph said. "That's a relief, then. Otherwise, I would be consumed by guilt!" Queenie beamed, her crying ceasing. She then linked arms with Winona again, asking, "How about having lunch together, given our fortuitous encounter?" Although she had initially wanted to refuse the invitation, Winona, having just undergone surgery, lacked the strength to resist and was consequently dragged along by Queenie. Throughout their meal at the restaurant, Queenie was an absolute handful. "I can't stand this smell, Joseph. It's making me feel a bit nauseous. "I'm craving something sour, but this is way too spicy." Joseph remained tender and attentive throughout, offering her water and gently patting her back. Winona watched the entire scene in silence, feeling a suffocating pain in every fiber of her being. She was uncertain if it was the lingering effects of the operation or the profound impact of the sight before her. They were halfway through their meal when the crystal chandelier above them emitted a loud snap. In an instant, it came crashing down, plummeting straight toward where Joseph sat. "Watch out, Joseph!" Queenie yelled, throwing herself at Joseph. The chandelier then struck her back, exploding into a cascade of glittering fragments. "Queenie!" Joseph's countenance immediately shifted, his voice trembling slightly. "You're... alright... That's what matters..." Queenie whispered, her frail body resting in Joseph's arms as she raised a hand slick with blood. "It was my grandfather who saved your grandfather's life… and now I've saved yours. I suppose... it all comes back around..." "I won't let anything happen to you, Queenie. Not on my watch!" Joseph roared, his vision blurring with tears as he swept her into his arms and bolted out. He had been in such a rush that he failed to see Winona in the aisle. His shoulder plowed right into her with a loud thud. Winona was knocked to the ground, causing her forehead to strike the corner of a table, which instantly drew blood. Yet, she seemed oblivious to the pain, her eyes simply transfixed on Joseph's receding figure. In that hazy moment, she found herself drifting back to the day they made their relationship official. Joseph, his eyes glistening with tears of happiness, had embraced her tightly as he repeatedly murmured, "You'll always be the only one I see—in all the world, in every sea of faces." It all seemed utterly absurd in retrospect. Winona then raised her hand to wipe her face, only to realize that she was laughing and that the laughter had brought tears to her eyes. She braced herself against the wall and slowly got to her feet. Then, she began to shuffle, alone and unsteady, in the direction of the hospital.