Take Your Time To Love Me

Standing at the gate of the prison in Montreal in the late winter, her cheeks ached from the cold wind.

The woman had taken off her prison uniform and was wearing a long cotton coat that was a little worn out and probably went out of style two or three years ago. Her hair was pulled up in a loose ponytail and reached her waist. Devoid of any makeup, her skin looked dry and ashen. But even so, her delicate features and temperament were hard to conceal.

The male warden handed the document to her. Her hands were riddled with frostbites and scars.

"I hope you won't do something like this again. Forget what happened and start a new life now." The warden spoke Mandarin fluently.

"How can I just erase the bitter past from my mind?" Nancy Luo smiled sadly. There was no emotion in her eyes, but her words revealed her wounded pride.

"Well, I hope we won't meet again."

The warden reached out and patted her on the shoulder. Then he turned around and left, leaving her standing there alone with the document in her hand.

She had been in prison for three years. Today, her mind was blank, and all she could think of was that scene in the court more than three years ago.

Back then, the judge had sentenced her to three years in prison for kidnapping and child trafficking.

Coming back to reality, she took a deep breath and walked out of the prison in Montreal, as a free woman.

She took out her phone, which had been lying in the coat pocket a year-and-a-half ago, and dialed a number.

After a few rings, a man answered. He was usually cool as a cucumber, but when he saw the number, his voice trembled. "Hello, Nancy?"

"Aron, I haven't heard your voice in such a long time." She stood alone shivering in the cold wind, not intending to move.

Maybe she would sober up in the cold.

prison?" His voice was calm, but

was jumpy, wasn't

Nancy couldn't help sneering.

tried to hold back her

you coming back? Let me book the flight ticket for you! Or better yet, wait for me there, and I'll come to Montreal to pick you up now!" he quickly offered,

your voice," said

don't say that." He sounded remorseful. If this had happened in the past, she would have been moved to

unforgivable. She knew by now that whenever he spoke in this tone, he

get me wrong. I really only wanted to hear your voice. I just can't forget about the pain I have suffered all

suddenly felt very tired. All her strength

anything, she hung up and threw the phone into a trash

card and went to downtown to withdraw some money. Then she bought a ticket for a morning flight for

of ending her life crossed her mind countless times,

the child that she had never met. That baby should be about two

Luo sat in the airport waiting lounge all night in her flimsy overcoat. The next morning, she

to sleep

years ago. It wasn't a dream, but a nightmare, which had lasted for more than ten months. The nightmare had snatched away her sleep for the three years she was in

jolted her awake and she was drenched in sweat. She went to the washroom and splashed some cool water on her face. When she opened the

waiting to use the washroom, was startled to see her collapsing. He

okay?" asked the man in English. He was patting her cheek anxiously

Her hair was plastered to her forehead because of the

pinched her, but still got no reaction. Several stewardesses rushed over. When they

her seat first." said the man as he bent over and lifted her. He headed for

stewardess kindly reminded him, worried about disturbing the