Fabian, while carrying the shopping bags, walked to the cosmetics counter.
He leaned on the counter, carefully selecting items.
"Do you have anything suitable for dry skin? Also, keep the ingredients minimal; her skin is prone to sensitivity. "
I felt suffocated with sadness.
When we were together, he never bought me even a single face wash, but now he was meticulously selecting an entire skincare routine for another woman, and even remembered her sensitivity.
He even took a detour to buy milk tea and desserts.
Watching him carry these items with a happy expression, I felt heartache so severe I could barely breathe.
After eight years of marriage, even if I just asked him to bring back some fruit on his way, he would complain.
It turns out that love and indifference can be so starkly different.
After buying everything, Fabian eagerly drove back to the hospital.
He probably worried that if he returned too late, Layla would be upset not seeing him.
On the way, he ran several red lights.
As they just arrived at the hospital entrance, he suddenly slammed on the brakes, staring ahead in disbelief.
Following his gaze, I saw Bruce waiting at the entrance, supported by his mom.
"Bruce, why are you awake?"
Fabian excitedly jumped out of the car and, before he could steady himself, reached out to grab him.
Bruce glanced at the pile of things on the passenger seat and snorted.
"How could I not wake up? If I hadn't, how would I know that my brother has turned. into such a cold–blooded person!?
"Lucy has just died, and you're in the mood to buy gifts for others?"
His eyes were blazing, as if he wanted to skin Fabian alive.
Fabian took two steps back, staring at him in disbelief.
"It's bad enough that Mom is messing around with her, but now you're playing along with her act?
He looked at Bruce blocking his way, his expression growing colder.
"Aren't you just intolerant of Layla? I'm telling you, it doesn't matter who tries to stop me today; I'm going to take care of her!
"Get out of the way!"
He forcefully shoved Bruce aside and tried to enter the hospital.
But Bruce grabbed his collar and dragged him back.
Bruce screamed in fury, "Aren't you the one who didn't believe Lucy was dead? Come on, let's go see her body!"
Fabian suddenly panicked and struggled to push Bruce away.
"She was so scared of dying, how could she let herself die so easily? How long are you going to keep lying to me?"
Bruce suddenly laughed, tears streaming down his face.
"Scared of dying?
"Have you forgotten, when we were ten, we three went into the mountains and encountered a hungry wolf?
"It was Lucy who shielded us, telling us to run while she blocked the wolf. The wolf almost bit off half of her arm; if not for a hunter coming by, she would have been dead. "
Fabian's eyes finally filled with tears, but he still wasn't convinced, frantically pulling out his phone to play voice messages for Bruce.
"How could she be dead? She sent a voice message threatening Layla this morning. " Bruce, unable to tolerate it any longer, swatted the phone out of his hand.
"Enough! Stop deceiving yourself. Anyone familiar with her would recognize that it wasn't her voice. You're her husband, and you think you're worthy of her?"
"That's enough. Stop deceiving yourself. Anyone who knows her well can tell that's not her voice at all. You're her husband, are you worthy?"