"Now as I say, theoretically there are eight rounds. The best two hundred and fifty-six fighters are matched in pairs, at random, and the winners go o... to the round of one hundred and twenty-eight. They are matched in pairs at random again, and the winners go on to the round of sixty-four, then the round of thirty-two, then the round of sixteen, then the round of eight, then the round of four; also called the semi-finals, then the round of two, also called the final. The winner of that round is. They were very happy with the painting and clearly wanted to hear more about the artist who had made it. Alex sat down on the couch, next to Louise, and tried to focus on the conversation. Whatever he did, he told himself, don’t look at her legs again. It was impossible though, because when she crossed them or rhythmically moved the tip of a high heeled boot in the air, he couldn’t resist taking a quick look.The coast was clear, anyway, because no one paid attention to him. He noticed how the. “I was a victim.”“Being a victim is a state of being, not an identity. You can be the victim of a crime, but it only defines you if you let it. Try again.”“But that’s what I was. My mom screwed me up as a kid, and being a victim meant I bounced from place to place. That’s why I chose a job that meant I didn’t have to work directly with people and I kept to myself. I spent years in therapy just so I could have a normal conversation with a woman without flinching.”“Sounds like a lot of hard work. She was a Malan lady!Beside the Malan lady were several children, and as she looked at them Jenny saw herself: the same colouring, the same face, the same everything!"Mom? Who are these people? They look like me." Jenny, these are other Malan children. They are waiting to meet you." To meet ME?" Yes. You are a very important person, Jenny. There are only five of you children in all the world, Jenny. In all the universe!" But who is the lady? You said there were no Malan mommies." Yes. You.