Clara had gotten to know Queenie in prison, and the Queenie she knew then seemed a little different. Everyone wore the same prison uniform and never wore makeup in prison. "Yup. It's been a long time. I didn't expect to see you here. Are you pregnant?" Queenie said, sizing up Clara."Yeah," Clara answered with a nod. "What about you? Are you also pregnant?""No. I'm here because of infertility issues. Well, women will have a problem getting pregnant, especially when we get older. I remember you're a few years older than me. You're pregnant. Is this your second child?""Yes.""That's nice. I've never been pregnant before. I want to be pregnant with a baby and finally change my life," Queenie said with a glimmer in her eyes.Clara was slightly startled by the determination in Queenie's eyes. Queenie seemed committed—as if she had to carry a child to fulfill her great ambition. "Oh, right. The VIP clinic here is costly. You're here, so I guess you're living a pretty good life?" Q
Queenie was displeased with Clara. "Clara! You don't have to pretend with me, you know. We know each other’s history. Why else would you be pregnant at this age? Aren't you trying to baby-trap someone to secure the relationship? I've been kind enough to advise you. If you want to succeed in your plan, you need a boy. Giving birth to a girl will be of no use!""The gender doesn't matter. I have my children because I love them, not because I want to baby-trap someone into marriage!" Clara retorted."Come on, you can't fool me with that," Queenie replied.Clara gave up explaining herself to Queenie. With Queenie's strong bias, her efforts would be futile."Since we’ve happened to meet each other again, why don't we exchange phone numbers? Maybe we can hang out again sometime!" Queenie said, taking out her phone. "What's your phone number?"After hesitating, Clara gave her phone number. Although she did not click with the current Queenie, refusing to give her phone number seemed a lit
Unable to refuse, Clara finally gave Queenie the address. Queenie drove over and arrived in about half an hour, but she was surprised when she saw Clara running a small store."This is… Your store? Do you live here?" Queenie asked."Yeah. I've been running this place for years. It's easier to take care of my son because he studies in the school next door," Clara answered.After learning that Queenie was Clara's former cellmate and had occasionally helped Clara while in prison, Mrs. Wells greeted Queenie warmly and enthusiastically served her tea, cut fruits, and a variety of snacks."Queenie, why don't you stay for dinner? I'll go to the grocery and get whatever you like," Mrs. Wells offered."No need. I'm leaving shortly. I happened to meet Clara again, so I thought I'd keep in touch with her more," Queenie said, hiding her utter disdain for this humble and shabby-looking place.Queenie found the snacks and tea Mrs. Wells served cheap and unpalatable. She only made this trip to
Queenie's face sank. "You have nothing to do with him? What do you mean? You're about to give birth to his son! How can you not be related to him?""The child is mine, not someone else's. I've nothing to do with him. Believe it or not, it's up to you," Clara said."What…" Queenie gasped exasperatedly. "I was kind enough to invite you to a meal, yet you're treating me like this. Are you acting all high and mighty just because you rode in a car worth a few thousand?! What did you get out of the relationship, anyway? Just a small store like this? Who do you think you are?! You're just someone who has been in prison, just like me!" Spewing her anger over, Queenie picked up her bag and left. Mrs. Wells was surprised to see Queenie leave in anger. Unable to resist, she asked Clara, "What's wrong? Why did she leave?""I guess our values don't align," Clara said, knowing it would be hard to be friends with Queenie, especially with their difference in opinion. Maybe they should just keep a
"No one's giving me a hard time. I don't need any help," Clara said."Is that so? That's a relief." Queenie acted as if she was genuinely glad about Clara's situation. She added, "Right, when will you be free? Let's have dinner together, my treat. We've reunited after so many years, so it's a celebration.""Umm..." Clara hesitated."Are you going to refuse? It's just a meal. Remember what happened when we were in prison? You were pregnant, and I begged the bullies to let you go and stop beating you." Queenie said, bringing up their history in prison again.At last, Clara had no choice but to agree. "Alright. Let's have a meal together, but it's my treat. I should thank you for your help back then.""Let's not worry so much about who's treating. Anyway, it's a promise. Let's meet again and have a good meal together!" Queenie said and left happily.Clara sighed. Somehow, she felt a little uneasy for no reason. She thought Queenie seemed overly enthusiastic and eager about having a
Wilson was in the hospital, looking very exhausted. His face turned a little pale, and more blood was drawn from his body."Mr. Birch, it's best not to draw any more blood in the short term. We normally recommend a healthy person to donate blood once in six months, but not more. You've had two consecutive blood draws within a short time, and you shouldn't have another blood draw until six months later," the doctor advised.Six months? Wilson had a bitter smile. Six months would not work at all. Their baby would be born before that, and if blood was needed by then, the current stock for their rare blood type would not be sufficient at all. More importantly, there were very few such rare blood types in blood banks."Moving forward, I'll have a blood draw once a month," Wilson said stubbornly. There was only a few months left before Clara went into labor. He hoped there would be enough blood stock just in case it was needed."It's too dangerous! Having a blood draw once a month could
Clara reflexively stepped forward to help Wilson from falling. It took Wilson a while to steady himself, his eyes shut tight and his hand pressed to his forehead.Surrounded by darkness, Clara realized Wilson's face was frighteningly pale under the moonlight. While she was holding him, her hand touched his, and she was suddenly aware that his hand felt terribly cold. After a few moments, Wilson finally fluttered his eyes open slowly. He straightened up and said weakly, "I'll get going.""What's wrong with you?" Clara could not resist asking. Wilson looked so fragile like he was about to collapse at any time."Me?" Although slightly startled by the question, Wilson quickly forced a smile and acted as if nothing had happened. "I'm fine. Don't worry." Despite that, only he knew how he was so exhausted to the point he was practically swaying on his feet.Wilson should have gone home to rest after the blood draw, but he missed her so much. Unable to stop wanting to see her, he came he
Her words had put a light in his eyes. "So, you want me to live, do you?"Wilson said, eyes sparkling.Clara almost choked at the light in his eyes. She could not stare directly at his eyes and ultimately looked away. "Whatever you think," she said vaguely."If you want me to live, I'll live, no matter how hard it is!" Wilson answered. He thought she no longer cared about his life, and he even thought she would rather have him gone from the world. Knowing that she wanted him alive because she wanted her children's father alive gave him the motivation to live."Call your driver. Ask him to pick up you," Clara told him."Oh, okay," he responded and pulled out his phone to call the driver. After the call disconnected, he heard her voice calling out to him again."I heard from the neighbors. Have you been around the neighborhood lately? You stayed in the car and kept watching the store?""I-I was just…" Panic flashed across his face, and he looked like a kid who had gotten caught by