r rented apartment, it was

e air conditioner in advance, so she was enveloped by the c

how reliable modern technology

, but Stefan left her waiting in the cold when she need

d at the glass jar on the coffee

her in their sec

me happy, I'll put a red bean in here. When

held the jar and

would sneak red beans inside

ust smiled and ruffled her hai

tacit approval, indu

ized it was merel

dly leave her, forcing her to endure countless

stood up and pi

nd poured out all th

echoed clearly in the

tered on the coffee tab

ted the beans while reminiscin

sweetness or grievances, anticipation or dis

p, when Stefan remembered her menstrual cycle an

milk and late-night snacks

en she accidentally got hurt, and

id everyth

en Noreen

ns for the third time,

e kitchen and bo

aced the red beans, once symbols of l

cook, requiring slow s

water. They transformed from hard to soft, from bright red to dark red, ju

ns were fully cooke

The steaming broth slid down her throat and

lowing the five years of love, grievance

, Verena felt exhausted. She went

long before a sharp s

en she vomited and had diarrhea,

doctor saw her pale face and frowned, saying, "This i

soup with beans that have been

advisable. While beans can be stored, old

le, but her mind w

cident, she und

eaten, and unhealthy rela

time to end her rela