Seeing my reddened eyes, he froze, then hurried to my side. “Sharina, why are you crying?”

His voice was filled with concern as he gently wiped away my tears. I turned my face away. “It’s nothing. I just... feel sorry for the baby.”

Relief swept across his face. “It’s alright. We’ll have another baby.”

—

During the three days I spent in the hospital, Leon stayed by my side, attending to my every need with the utmost care.

When it was time to leave, he pulled up in my pink car, the one that was supposed to be mine and mine alone.

He stepped out and opened the passenger door for me.

What greeted me was a pair of black high heels resting on the floor mat.

I stared at the shoes, my heart sinking.

They weren’t mine.

Leon’s face turned pale. In a panic, he grabbed the shoes and tossed them into a trash bin nearby.

“Honey, these... these were supposed to be a gift for you, but I noticed a flaw and was planning to exchange them. You don’t think I let another woman into the car, do you?”

The nausea in my stomach churned violently, but I managed to let out a faint chuckle. “No, of course not. I think I’ll just walk home.”

Closing the car door, I turned and started walking towards the direction of our house.

Leon scrambled out of the car and ran after me, grabbing my arm. “Sharina, are you mad?”

“That pair of shoes really was for you. Don’t you trust me?”

I forced a lighthearted smile. “What are you talking about? I just feel like stretching my legs after lying in bed for so long.”

He studied me intently, as if trying to determine whether I was upset.

After a moment, he finally sighed in relief. “Alright, I’ll walk with you.”

And so, hand in hand, we walked home.

I couldn’t help but think of how much Leon used to love taking walks.

After dinner, he would always grab my hand. “Honey, let’s go for a walk. Don’t you know that walking together strengthens a couple’s bond?”

I used to laugh and tease him, asking where he got such ideas.

But now, how long had it been since we last walked together?

On the way home, Leon chatted enthusiastically, sharing random anecdotes and amusing stories. I responded half-heartedly, nodding or murmuring in reply.

For a fleeting moment, it felt like the old days—when our world revolved solely around each other.

When we got home, I used fatigue as an excuse to avoid talking further and told him I was sleepy.