Restoration Chapter 2: The Reticence, an all my children fanfic

Title: Restoration

Author: Kimberly21570

Fandom: All My Children

Pairings: Lena and Bianca

Disclaimer: The characters of Lena Kundera, Bianca Montgomery, Erica Kane, Jackson Montgomery, Maggie Stone, Myrtle Fargate, Dr. Joe Martin, Anna Devane, Boyd Laraby, and Michael Cambias are owned by All My Children, ABC/Disney and Prospect Park.

No copyright infringement intended with regard to AMC, ABC/Disney, Prospect Park, or any other entity. Dialogue, settings, and story content in these scenes are original. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.

Synopsis: This story was borne of my extreme distaste for the handling of Bianca's rape. It follows Bianca and Lena as they deal with the aftermath and work toward reclaiming the life they were meant to share.

Warnings and Author's Note: At times, this story is dark and angst-ridden, but mostly, it is a celebration of life. Warnings will be posted at the beginning of those particularly difficult chapters. Throughout the course of writing this story—which has taken place over the course of nearly a decade—I have endeavored to offer this sensitive subject matter its due justice, and perhaps offer a ray of hope to those who have suffered similar experiences, along the way. I know, only too well, the tumultuous journey one must traverse when attempting to achieve Restoration from the ashes of the Ruins… The true beauty of the journey is found in the inner strength that is manifested along the way…

Rating: Chapter 2 is rated R for sexual situations, but the story does venture deeply into NC-17.

Regards—

Kimberly

Restoration

"You say you don't feel like yourself. Does that mean you're somebody else? How would I know? Oh, you say you just don't feel quite right today. Does that mean you're slipping away? How would I know? If you don't tell me so, how would I know?"

Melissa Etheridge "How Would I Know"

Chapter 2 – The Reticence:

Early August, 2003—Pine Valley Inn, Room 867

Lena squirmed restlessly in the chair in their room; acrimoniously recounting the events of that fateful night. The night that had sentenced the two of them to spending that past month in virtual silence. The night that left Bianca devoid of any emotion other than terror. The night that was the catalyst for countless sleepless nights to come. How could I have allowed things to come to this? Why didn't I just leave? she silently questioned; chastising herself. Because I'm self-centered, and all I could think about was how much I loved Bianca… How much I wanted to be with her. I want… therefore, I must have. God! So selfish. I wouldn't blame her if she hated me.

Lena's self-deprecating thoughts rambled on without interruption, as she returned to that inauspicious night…

July 8, 2003—Pine Valley Hospital

Once the internal examination had been completed, Dr. Martin had taken Lena aside and delicately explained the results. As he delivered the explanation, Lena's heart was besieged with grief and a deep sense of helplessness. Her lips involuntarily released a cry of unreserved anguish as she sank to the floor, drawing her knees up against her chest in a fetal position.

Dr. Martin attempted to console her, but his efforts were met only with innate sobs. He quietly excused himself from the room and walked into the corridor, where he conferred with Anna for a few minutes, explaining Bianca's condition, and the fact that she hadn't implicated anyone in the attack. She advised Dr. Martin that she had gone straight to Jackson when the call came into the station. He was on his way to Erica's to break the news to her and to bring her to the hospital. She only wished she didn't have to add more grief to the already tense situation; however, Jackson only knew that Bianca had been the victim of an assault. At this point, neither he nor Erica knew the true extent of the damage, and Anna dreaded the grim task that lay ahead of her.

Moments later, Anna entered the room and bent down to speak to Lena; pulling her from the abyss into which she had descended. "Lena? It's Anna Devane," she quietly uttered. "Dr. Martin contacted me after Bianca was brought into the Emergency Room," she explained. "I know this is difficult, but are you able to focus… to speak with me for a few minutes?"

Recognizing Anna's voice, Lena numbly nodded her head in affirmation. Sniffling back tears, she moved to pick herself up from the floor. Anna reached down to offer assistance and warmly patted Lena's arm, in an effort to lend a bit of comfort.

They settled into the chairs in the exam room, and for the third time that evening, Lena offered what little knowledge she possessed; along with the distressing suppositions that had plagued her heart since the moment the power went out.

"Lena, do you have any concrete proof? Did you see him at Myrtle's? Did Bianca tell you it was him?" Anna questioned; silently praying for an affirmative response.

"I don't need concrete proof, Chief Devane," Lena insisted.

"Please, Lena. Call me Anna. Okay?" The Chief's voice was calm and soothing.

Sniffing back tears, Lena nodded in agreement, and continued. "There's only one creature depraved enough to perpetrate such an atrocity on my Bianca, and his name is Michael Cambias!," she vehemently insisted. "I know, only too well, the kind of debauchery that monster is capable of committing."

"So Bianca didn't actually tell you who did this to her?"

"No—," Lena replied; shaking her head despondently. "She hasn't spoken a word since I found her there." Her voice cracked, as she sniffed back more tears, "crumpled on the floor in front of the couch," she nearly sobbed. She kept Bianca under a watchful gaze as the conversation continued.

"Lena, do you think Bianca will be able to speak with us anytime soon?" Anna inquired. "We need to get her statement before we can arrest Cambias."

"I honestly don't know, Anna. Despondently, Lena shrugged her shoulders. "She didn't even answer Dr. Martin when he asked her…" Tears flooded Lena's eyes as she gulped in air and continued, "When he asked her if she had been raped." Her words descended into a mere whisper, as she choked back more tears.

Bianca began to stir, and wiping the tears from her face, Lena promptly excused herself to attend to unspoken needs. "You're okay, My Love," she softly whispered against Bianca's ear, as she gently caressed her face. "Would you like some water?"

Bianca locked eyes with Lena, and tentatively nodded in affirmation.

Lena placed a chaste kiss upon Bianca's temple, and turned to retrieve the requested glass of water. Tears once again threatened to spill over as Lena crossed the room. She resolutely reminded herself of her latest commission: No longer was she the minion of Michael Cambias, she was the armament of Bianca Montgomery. Her mind issued strict orders to her emotions, Must remain calm… Must be strong… Must maintain control. Bianca needs you. This is no time for weakness. Over and over, she silently repeated these orders; making them her mantra, as she returned to Bianca with a glass of water, and a definitive attitude adjustment.

Lena placed the glass on the table beside Bianca's bed and moved to help her sit upright. Making sure she had Bianca's full attention, so as not to startle her, she softly said, "Okay Sweetheart. I want you to wrap your arms around my neck, so I can help you sit up." She nodded her head up and down in an effort to convince Bianca she was safe; this was okay.

Bianca's eyes nervously darted about Lena's face. Then finally locking her eyes on Lena's, she slowly began nodding her assent, and did as she was instructed.

Lena struggled for control of her emotions; that which was once a carefree expression of the intimacy between the two of them was now cold and dispassionate. Will we ever find our way back to that place? To where we were carefree and happy, she wondered; thoughts carrying on as she helped Bianca reposition herself on the bed. Once Bianca was properly positioned, Lena retrieved the glass and held it while Bianca drank. The glass was swiftly relieved of its contents, and Lena placed it back on the table.

"Would you like more?" Lena questioned. Bianca's eyes locked with Lena's again as she moved her head from side to side, hesitantly indicating a "no;" then dropped her gaze away.

Lena again stroked the side of Bianca's face; then gently cupped her chin. She turned Bianca to face her, fixed her gaze upon the beauty before her, and offered more words of love and reassurance. "No matter what has happened, or what is to come, you must know right now, that I love you… without an ending," she whispered in promise. "Kocham Cię, Bianca. Always…," she breathed.

Tears spilled over from Bianca's eyes; creating silent tributaries down her cheeks. Lena gently wiped the tears away with the pads of her thumbs as she nodded her assurances.

Anna silently watched the entire exchange in sheer awe. Whoever Lena Kundera had been in the past, she certainly was no longer. Anna witnessed only tenderness and devotion in her attention toward Bianca. Lena's eyes unapologetically shone with love and adoration, as she attended to the frightened young woman. Anna was overwhelmed with gratitude, even in the midst of this tumultuous situation, for Bianca's good fortune in finding someone who so obviously loved her. And she felt a sense of peace, as she observed the scene before her.

Early August, 2003—Pine Valley Inn, Room 867

Lena was wrenched from her recollections as Bianca roused from an already fitful sleep, immediately dropping into a nightmare induced panic. A routine that was now unfortunately all too familiar.

"NO! Leave me alone… don't come near me," Bianca screamed out in terror; her body dripping with sweat.

Lena lunged from the chair, toward the bed and wrapped her arms around Bianca in an effort to calm her. "Bianca, it's okay. It's me. Lena," she gently reassured. "Hush, Sweetheart. Shhhh… He's gone. He can't hurt you again." Her efforts proved to be an exercise in futility, as Bianca struggled to extract herself from the ostensible snare.

Bianca ripped herself from Lena's embrace and scrambled to the far corner of the bed, curling up in a protective ball. Breathing heavily, her eyes were teeming with terror, as they darted about the room, as if she were frantically searching for an escape route.

Lena continued to speak to her in a calming tone. "Bianca, you're safe, Sweetheart."

"NO! I'm not safe, Lena. I'll never be safe," Bianca replied; anxiously shaking her head back and forth. Her breathing indicated the tremendous sense of panic that was steadily rising within her spirit. Her voice was inundated with such pain and anger, almost rage. It startled Lena; frightened her.

"Listen to me, Bianca," Lena instructed. "Listen to my voice. I'm not Michael. I won't hurt you."

Bianca responded to Lena's pleading as she began to cry. "Lena, he's here. He's coming for me again," she blurted; choking back sobs.

Lena forcefully locked eyes with Bianca in an effort to gain her trust, as she reached out with her hand. "Take my hand," she encouraged. "It's okay. Come to me."

Bianca hesitantly accepted the proffered hand and slowly moved across the bed, into Lena's waiting arms.

"He's not here, Sweetheart," Lena quietly comforted; cradling Bianca's trembling body in a tender embrace as she whispered to her. "I promise you. It's only the two of us. No one else," she reassured. Holding her as she cried, Lena gently rocked her back and forth while she quietly offered words of love and reassurance.

When Bianca's crying finally subsided, Lena distanced herself from the embrace to wipe the tears away. "Bianca, is there anything I can get for you? Water? Are you hungry?"

Bianca shook her head back and forth; barely able to articulate a response. "No… just sleep," she sighed in exhaustion. "I'm… so drained, Lena."

Lena nodded in agreement. "I understand, Sweetheart. Do you think you can sleep?"

"I don't know," Bianca replied; shaking her head. "I need to try. Will you just hold me?" she asked, timidly.

"Of course, My Sweet. Come here," Lena quietly replied. Drawing Bianca into her embrace, she lay down on the bed next to her. Moments later, an exhausted Bianca fell back into a restless sleep, as Lena fought back another torrential downpour of tears. And finally, at long last, she drifted into a fitful sleep of her own.

Bianca woke several more times that night, as she had every night since the attack, in fits of terror much like the first. Lena offered whatever comfort she was able, while becoming increasingly aware that she was incapable of handling the situation on her own.

Morning dawned, and Bianca awoke feeling less exhausted than in mornings previous; though not totally rested. She tended to sleep more soundly when Lena was near; yet was more restless in Lena's presence while she was awake. Her uneasiness was difficult to contemplate and increasingly impossible to camouflage. She sensed the pressure building to an ominous crescendo, and was uncertain of her capacity to endure the inevitable fallout.

Lena felt Bianca stirring beside her and pulled her close; nestling her face in Bianca's neck.

Bianca lay there, in Lena's embrace; her mind and body wrestling with her heart. When she could no longer endure the battle that raged within, she gently removed herself from Lena's arms and walked over to the window. How can something feel so comfortable, so safe, and yet so threatening, all at once? she anxiously pondered. And staring out at the sunrise over Pine Valley, she clandestinely considered her options.

Lena awoke about an hour later, to find Bianca missing from their bed. She panicked; then looked over to find her slumped in the chair, staring off into space. Smiling, she greeted her; startling Bianca from her self-induced trance. "Good morning, Sweetheart. Did you get any sleep at all? Rolling out of bed, she gingerly approached Bianca.

"A little," Bianca absentmindedly replied. "I'm not as exhausted as I was last night" she added; silently wishing Lena would just walk the other direction. She knew where this was leading and she hadn't the fortitude of mind or body to deal with it this morning.

Lena crouched down in front of her, and continued, "Good. I'm concerned about you, Sweetheart," she announced worriedly. "You're not sleeping… you're exhausted all the time… you're not eating the way you should. I wish you would go and talk with someone…"

Damn. Here we go again. Why the hell can't she just leave it alone? Bianca thought, as she cut Lena off, mid-sentence, "We've been over this before, Lena. I don't WANT to talk with anyone about what happened. I just want to forget. I cannot relive that nightmare, in broad daylight," she ardently insisted. "Every time I think about that night, it's like he's doing it to me all over again! I just… I…"

Her words trailed off as she began to cry; inhaling a deep breath, as if to strengthen her resolve against the endless tears and the bottomless pit of anguish that accompanied them.

Feeling guilty for causing yet another barrage of tears, Lena drew Bianca into her embrace, and offered sincere apologies. "I'm so sorry, Sweetheart. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just… I just want to help, but I don't know how. As much as I love you, I can't do this on my own. You need something more than I am able to offer."

Bianca abruptly pulled away and answered; her voice seething with hostility, "I'm fine, Lena. I don't WANT or NEED to talk about this. What I NEED is for you to just leave it alone," she fumed; rage steadily mounting and she became overwhelmed by the intensity of it all. She felt as if every nerve ending was ignited in flames and the unrelenting pounding in her head only proved to amplify as her rage escalated. If I have to listen to one more second of this sympathetic drivel, I think I'll explode! she silently ranted; until her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Lena.

"Bianca, you've withdrawn from everyone in your life," Lena sorrowfully pointed out. "You rarely speak with your mother when she calls, not that I'm complaining about that, because she obviously despises me, and isn't the least bit pleased with the fact that you've forgiven me; but still, she's your mother. And you don't talk to your Uncle Jack, Myrtle or Boyd. You've even refused to see Maggie, and she's your best friend," she said, concernedly. "Hell, Bianca, most days you won't even talk to me!"

"I'm sorry I'm such a drain on you, Lena," Bianca replied sarcastically. Extracting herself from the chair, she wrapped her arms around her torso in an effort to feign protection, as she began agitatedly pacing the room in tight circles; her behavior reminiscent of a caged animal.

Lena approached her; attempting to stop her incessant circling—an effort that proved to be nothing more than an act of veritable futility. She relented and spoke instead to the moving target. "Bianca, you're not a drain on me," she replied, shaking her head. "Please don't place words in my mouth. I just want you to be okay again. I understand why you're so tempted to run away from this thing, but you'll never regain your life by running away. You can't go around this. The only way to get past what's happened to you is to walk through it; gain strength from it. You have to walk through the fire to prove that you won't allow it to burn you; won't allow it to scar your soul."

"I cannot deal with this anymore, Lena," Bianca replied; pacing frantically. "I'm sick of having the same discussion with you—day after day. JUST LEAVE IT ALONE!" she screamed.

Finishing her tirade, she pushed her way past Lena, and stomped off into the bathroom to take a shower.

Lena sank into the chair, dropped her face into her hands. A sense of defeat washed over her, and repeating the act that had become commonplace in their lives, she was engulfed in another torrent of tears.

Nearly a half-hour later, Bianca emerged from her shower, finding Lena sobbing in the chair.

Lena heard her approaching and looked up to apologize through her tears. "Bianca, I'm so sorry. I won't push you anymore. I won't…"

Bianca cut her off, mid-sentence, once again; her voice seething with frustration and anger, "Save it, Lena," she barked. "I cannot do this anymore. I don't have the mental or emotional capacity to withstand one more minute of this. I'm leaving!"

Lena strained to comprehend the words she'd just heard. "What? Where are you going? When are you coming back?" she questioned, mind in disbelief, heart in panic.

"I'm not sure where I'm going, but I'm not coming back!" Bianca emphasized the part about what she wasn't going to do. "I cannot live here with you anymore," she said in anger that was felt more toward herself than toward Lena.

Lena tore herself from the chair and grabbed Bianca's arms to hold her attention, "You can't just leave, Bianca. I don't understand. Why are you doing this?" she cried.

"I sure as hell can leave, and that's exactly what I'm doing," Bianca snapped; jerking her arms away from Lena. And with that, she brushed her way past Lena and stormed out the door, slamming it behind her.

Lena sank back down into the chair; desperately trying to comprehend the scene that had just played out before her. What the hell is going on here? Why is she behaving this way? She's certainly been reticent since the rape, but she's never been hostile. She's never indicated that she didn't want to be here with me, she thought; mind tumbling over past events as she sought some semblance of an explanation.

She was inexplicably drawn back to the night of the rape and to the remembrance of the "backwoods" route she'd taken to Myrtle's that night… and then to the night previous, when they had traveled that route at Bianca's insistence…

They had been on their way to Myrtle's to pick up a change of clothes, or maybe two, for Bianca, when it happened. Lena was about to take the usual route from the gym to Myrtle's, when Bianca suggested they try a "different" course of travel.

"Hey Baby, I have an idea. Let's take the back way to Myrtle's tonight."

Always the practical thinker, Lena replied, "Why? The usual route is quick and easy."

"Just trust me, okay?" Bianca responded, eyebrow arched; a twinkle in her eye. "Make a right on the gravel road; the one with the fence post. Do you see it?"

"Yes. I see it," Lena replied with trepidation. "Why do I get the feeling you're up to something?" she quizzed.

Bianca laughed, "Because I usually am!"

"That's what I'm afraid of," Lena laughed in return.

Doing as she was bidden, Lena turned the car onto the gravel road, and slowed the pace to accommodate the change in terrain. Bianca moved closer to her, ghosting soft kisses on the sensitive area below Lena's ear.

"Bianca?" There was a hint of warning in Lena's voice.

A seductive, "Hmmm ...?" escaped Bianca's lips, as she drew Lena's earlobe into her mouth and began sucking on it gently; purposely tormenting.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it feel like I'm doing?" Bianca replied in that seductive voice of hers; a smile playing on her lips as she continued to nibble on Lena's ear.

"Oh, I know what you're doing, but what the hell are you trying to do to me? Drive me to insanity?" There was humor in Lena's tone. "We're in the car!"

"What's the matter, Lena? Do people not have car sex in Poland?" Bianca grinned, as she continued her seduction. "Too bad for them!" she giggled.

"I'm sure they do, but I've never…," Lena replied incredulously.

Bianca pulled away from her playful assault on Lena's ear, and smiled. "Oh Goody! I get to be your first!" she replied with an excited giggle; sounding almost childlike in her enthusiasm. Then turning serious, she continued, "And I'd better be your one and only."

"Bianca, you're my one and only… everything. I love you," Lena whispered in reply.

"I love you too," Bianca quietly acknowledged. Then feigning forgetfulness, she continued with a smile. "Now… where was I?" she asked; before returning to the task of thoroughly kissing Lena's luscious neck. She trailed slow, lingering kisses along Lena's jawline and down to her collarbone, while caressing Lena's inner thigh with her hand; inching closer to her ultimate destination.

"Bianca, you must stop that!" Lena warned, breathlessly.

"Why? Am I turning you on?" she whispered seductively in Lena's ear.

"Yes. Very much so," Lena exhaled.

"Good!" Bianca declared; satisfaction pervading her voice. "Tell me what I'm doing to you. Am I making you wet?" she growled against Lena's ear.

"Yes!" Lena replied. Voice thick with desire, her accent grew heavy. "If you don't stop, I'll have to pull the car over. I can't concentrate on driving with your hand sliding up my thigh, and your tongue… Oh, my God! Bianca!" she squealed; almost losing control of the steering wheel.

Bianca laughed; pleased with the reaction she had evoked from Lena with her last maneuver, and whispered seductively into her ear, "I want you, Lena. Pull the car over."

"Bianca, we can't…"

"Yes, we can," Bianca assured with a smile; nodding her head up and down to seal her conviction. "You might as well give in," she continued playfully. "I'm not going to stop until I get what I know we both want."

Unable to stifle the desire that was quickly rising in her body, Lena pulled the car to the side of the road. Slipping it into neutral, she set the parking brake and turned to Bianca. "You're completely incorrigible, you know that, don't you?" she said; drawing Bianca in for a long, wet kiss.

Breaking away from the kiss, Bianca breathlessly replied, "Yes. I do know that. I'm also in love, and I can't wait to feel your body against mine. I just cannot get enough of you."

"Lucky me," Lena smiled in reply. "Now, show me how this 'car sex' thing works," she giggled; leaning in for another long, slow kiss.

They lingered together then, sharing slow, sensual kisses, tongues intertwining, fighting for control; hands wandering at will, exploring, enticing.

Bianca drew back from their kisses; dark eyes laden with desire. She locked her gaze on Lena, and reached to recline her seat. "Slide over here, Baby. I want to feel your body against mine," she whispered.

Lena's eyes darted about, frantically searching for a logical way to accomplish that particular maneuver. Fucking sports car. No room to move. Damned gear shift, she thought.

Bianca smiled; reading Lena's thoughts as if they were her own. "Don't keep me waiting over here," she laughed; enjoying the conundrum Lena was facing.

Anxious to return to this game of theirs, Lena reclined her own seat, and sliding up on the back, she lifted her long, lithe legs over the gear shift; moving to join Bianca in the passenger seat.

"What took you so long?" Bianca questioned teasingly. "I thought you'd never figure it out," she continued, one eyebrow raised.

"Just stop teasing me and take me… now," Lena replied; drawing Bianca in for another kiss. "God, I want you," she whispered into Bianca's mouth.

Understanding the old adage, "Keep them wanting more, but never waiting," Bianca set about honoring Lena's request. She agilely moved Lena beneath her; sliding her right knee between Lena's thighs as she continued plying her with long, slow kisses.

Lena moaned softly into Bianca's mouth as she steadily began to grind herself against Bianca's knee; indicating she wanted more.

Quickly rising to the challenge, Bianca slid her hand down the front of Lena's yoga pants, finding her… wet… ready.

Lena found a similar state of arousal as she moved her hand down the front of Bianca's jogging shorts. They moved against one another, fingers exploring that sweet liquid heat in unison, as they gradually ascended to the heights of ecstasy. And then, their breath coming in short bursts and quiet moans, they fell over into sated bliss, where they lingered together.

Several minutes later, they withdrew from one another and lay there breathless, and momentarily satiated. Lena smiled as she ran her fingers through Bianca's hair. "How do you do that to me?" It was more a statement than question.

"Do what?" Bianca quizzed; a smile playing on her lips.

"Make me want you, with just a simple touch," Lena answered. "God, Bianca. I've never felt this way about anyone. The things you do to me!" she mused.

"You do the same things to me, Lena," Bianca willingly admitted. "Sometimes, all you have to do is smile at me, and I want you."

"Really?" Lena teased; arching an eyebrow. "If that's the case, then I think I'll be smiling at you a whole lot more often," she laughed.

"Good!" Bianca replied; obviously pleased.

They lay there, facing one another in the passenger seat of Lena's car, talking and laughing for what seemed like hours. Time ceased to exist when the two of them were together. Finally, Lena turned and noted the time, "It's late, Sweetheart. Maybe we should get back to Myrtle's to pick up your things, so we can go home to bed." So we can go home to bed. Hmmm… I like the sound of that, Lena thought; completely oblivious to the fact that Bianca's thoughts fervently echoed her own.

"Sounds like a plan," Bianca replied with a smile; arching one eyebrow suggestively. "There are a few things I'd like to do to you that logistically cannot be accomplished within the confines of this car," she seductively announced.

Lena noticed the desire rising in Bianca's eyes again, and grinned, "Bianca Montgomery, you are absolutely insatiable!"

"I told you, I cannot get enough of you! Do you believe me now?" she grinned in response.

"Yes, I believe you… and I feel the same way about you," Lena replied; laughing. "Now, I think we'd better get going."

Lena's eyes again darted around the car, this time, searching for a way out of her their current entanglement.

Bianca watched; enjoying the look of distress on Lena's face as she sought to rectify the situation. "You look so fucking sexy behind the wheel of this car, Lena… but it's times like this, I sure wish you drove a mini-van," Bianca laughed.

Lena sank back down on the seat next to Bianca, laughing with her, and replied, "Maybe we should check into getting one of those."

When they finished laughing at the absurdity of their situation, Bianca suggested it might be prudent of her to just open the passenger side door, so Lena could climb out over her, and reclaim her place behind the wheel. Moments later, they were on their way to Myrtle's, devilish grins plastered across their faces; Lena pondering the implausibility of Bianca ever ceasing to amaze her. Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed my sweet, innocent Bianca would prove to be such a tempting little seductress, she mused; shaking her head in wonder and appreciation of her good fortune.

TBC in Chapter 3: The Revelation…