Chapter 2

By noon, my stomach kept growling.

I opened the fridge.

Inside were containers of chicken pasta, milk, fruit, and little cakes Evan had bought in advance.

I took out a container of pasta and put it in the microwave, just as Evan had taught me.

I pressed the red button.

Nothing happened.

I called Evan.

"Evan, the button that warms my food is broken."

Beside him, Vivian said,

"She's making excuses again."

Evan sighed.

"You don't have to heat it. Just eat it."

"But the pasta's cold."

"You can eat it cold."

"I want it warm."

"Nora, you're not a little girl anymore."

I looked down at the ring on my finger.

I knew that.

Evan had said wearing it made me his wife, and I had to do as he said.

I opened the container and picked up a little pasta with my fork.

The sauce had congealed, and the pasta was stuck together in a lump.

I took two bites. Then a red kite suddenly floated past the window.

Its long tail swept across the glass like a pretty little bird.

I immediately put down my fork and pressed up against the window.

I ran into the kitchen after it, then back into the living room.

But I forgot the refrigerator door was still open.

I watched for a long time, until the sea breeze carried the kite behind the eaves.

When I turned around, I'd forgotten what I'd been about to do.

The refrigerator kept humming quietly.

I thought that meant it was still working, so I left it alone.

That evening, I took out a small carton of milk. It no longer felt cold.

I pushed the straw in and took a big drink.

A sour taste flooded my mouth.

I scrunched up my face and spat the milk into the trash.

"It's gone bad."

I dialed Evan's number.

The phone rang for a long time before Evan answered.

There was laughter and noise on his end.

"Nora, what is it now?"

"The milk's gone bad."

"How could it have gone bad?"

"It tastes sour."

Vivian laughed.

"We've only been gone half a day, and she's already making things up."

"I'm not."

"Evan, don't go back. She knows saying that will make you feel sorry for her."

"I'm not making it up."

Vivian took the phone.

"Nora, stop it. You can't have children, so I gave Evan an heir in your place."

"You can't take care of them. That's why I'm here."

"We're doing all this for your own good."

But if it was for my own good, why hadn't they brought me?

Evan sounded exasperated.

"Nora, can't you be reasonable?"

"We hardly ever get a few days away with the baby. Do you have to act up now?"

"I'm hungry."

"There's food in the fridge."

"But the pasta's cold."

"Then eat it cold."

"Evan, I'm scared."

The other end went quiet for a few seconds.

I waited for him to comfort me the way he used to.

But all he said was,

"If you're scared, go to sleep."

"When are you coming back?"

"In a few days."

The man in the black suit was still outside the iron gate.

"Can I ask the men outside to take me to you?"

Evan's voice sharpened.

"No."

I shrank back in fear.

"Why?"

"Stay in the house. Don't go outside. I'm trying to protect you."

"But I miss you."

"Nora, don't make me say it again. If you dare go out on your own, don't expect me to come get you."

I didn't dare look at the door anymore.

Vivian urged him softly,

"Evan, hang up. It's the baby's bedtime."

"Did you hear that? Don't call again."

The line went dead again.

I sat on the floor, hugging my knees.

That night, I dreamed Evan came home carrying a big red kite.

Vivian stood beside him, holding the baby's hand.

"Nora, look how high the kite is flying."

I reached for it.

But he put the spool in the baby's hand.

I followed them.

They walked farther and farther away, and the kite flew higher and higher.

I couldn't catch up.