After leaving the restaurant, Janet didn't go straight home but got into Manfred's car, heading to his place.
When Janet stepped into the spacious, bright apartment where August and Manfred used to live, she noticed how neat it was. A faint but elegant masculine scent lingered in the air. All along, she had ignored the scent of other men, only remembering the subtle Dior perfume Charles wore—the only scent imprinted in her memory of men.
"Are your eyes feeling better? I can take you to the hospital again!"
Just after stepping out of the restaurant, the sudden brightness had caused Janet another brief episode of blindness. Manfred wanted to take her to the hospital, but Janet refused. She was terrified of that word—hospital—afraid to hear worsening news. She couldn't bear to accept it.
"I'm fine. Where's the restroom?" Janet waved her hand weakly.
Her face no longer showed the sadness from before but was full of strength.
