The saleswoman glanced at Oscar's phone, shaking her head. "We don't have that."

"No?" Oscar was disappointed. He could go to other stores, but Hannah was waiting for him in the bathroom and couldn't leave until he returned.

"Let her try the best ones here," the saleswoman said warmly. "This one. I promise your wife will like it. It won't irritate her skin and will keep her dry." She handed Oscar a box of pads.

Oscar took it awkwardly; he'd never handled such things before.

"Is it really that good?" he doubted.

"Don't worry! I never lie to a good man like you," she said sincerely.

Persuaded, Oscar said, "I'll take it then." He was about to leave when she added, "Wait, young man, it's on sale—four for the price of three. You'll never find a better deal."

Oscar nodded. "Okay." He figured he could buy a few more in case Hannah needed them in the following days.

"Oh, and tampons," the saleswoman continued. "They're more convenient and comfortable for women. They're on sale, too." She quickly grabbed some for him.

"Okay."

"And tissues," she added. "Special tissues designed for women. You know, they pay close attention to hygiene during their period. They're safer and more reliable, and they're on sale—six for five. Let me get you some."

Oscar nodded.

"And this lotion," she said, holding up a bottle. "Use it once in the morning and once at night. It's good for women during their period. I'll get you one, too."

"Right."

Oscar, who'd set out to buy only pads, left the store carrying two large bags.

Hannah's legs were numb from sitting when he arrived home. She was about to call him when she saw him enter with the bags.

"Why did you buy so many?"

"Shouldn't I?" Oscar asked, clueless that he'd been overcharged. He put the bags on the washstand and began unpacking. "They didn't have the ones you wanted, and the saleswoman recommended these," he explained, handing them to Hannah.

Hannah examined the unfamiliar brand but didn't blame him. "She said it's the best and keeps you dry."

Hannah smiled. She hadn't expected Oscar to be so easily deceived. "And the tampons, which are more convenient."

"Okay," Hannah replied, watching him proudly display his purchases. She refrained from mentioning that she was leaving that afternoon and that he'd bought far too many supplies for her to carry. She settled the pads and put on her pants.

"You don't need these?" Oscar asked.

"No."

Oscar looked at her.

Hannah smiled. "I'll use them next time."

Her nonchalance told Oscar he'd been swindled. But understandingly, they both silently put the items away.

"What time is your flight?" Oscar asked.

"Two o'clock."

"We still have time," Oscar said, checking the time. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah," Hannah nodded. The first day of her period left her tired and with some abdominal pain.

"We're out of food. Let me do something for you," Oscar said, "with two eggs."

Hannah looked at him; the ambiguity in his statement wasn't lost on her.

Oscar laughed. "Mrs. Wells, what are you thinking about?"

Hannah looked away. "Nothing."

"You can't think of nothing with such a flushed face?"

"No, I'm not," Hannah retorted, starting to leave, but Oscar stopped her. He whispered in her ear, "I'll let you eat next time."

"Oscar!" Hannah blushed. How could he say such things?

"Honey, go to bed, and I'll make you some food."

Hannah left his embrace and lay down, feeling a little blue. The menstrual cramps were bothersome, but more upsetting was that their intimacy had been interrupted. She wondered if it was her bad luck or Oscar's.

After a while, she saw Oscar enter with noodles, and she sat up. He fed her; habits were easily formed, and his thoughtful care made her complacent.

"Mrs. Wells, did you gain weight?" Oscar asked suddenly.

Hannah burped contentedly. Her expression changed. "You're sick of me, aren't you?"

"No," Oscar smiled. "The more weight you gain, the more love I give."

"Now I'm sick of you," Hannah pretended, inwardly happy.

Oscar wasn't offended. "You should eat more and gain more weight when you're back, okay?"

"Take care of yourself," Oscar said, touching her cheek. His seriousness moved her, and she leaned over to kiss him lightly.

Oscar looked at her affectionately.

"Take care too," Hannah said.

Oscar nodded.

"Oscar," Hannah sighed, feeling downcast.

"What's wrong, honey?"

"I always feel that we're a real couple only when we're here, like a normal family. Maybe not rich, but cozy and happy," Hannah said. "In the future, you'll be in higher positions in aristocratic families, and I'll work for Cooper Group. We'll become more and more distant."