Rena discerned a distant voice calling her name, reminiscent of the man from her dreams. With her eyes sealed shut, she delicately bit her crimson lip and, in a tender tone, uttered, "Waylen, I'm experiencing my menstrual cycle. I cannot attend to your desires."

Vera's world stood still.

What had she just heard?

Vera shook Rena with urgency, her grasp unyielding, as she demanded,

“Wake up! Wake up! What has transpired between you and Waylen?"