Chapter 9
From that day forward, though Declan showed up at the hospital daily to take meticulous care of Ruby, he
was a completely different person.
He became silent and withdrawn, often staring out the window for long periods with hollow, frightening
eyes.
Those peach–blossom eyes that used to follow Nina everywhere were now covered in a layer of ash, dim and
lifeless.
He still carefully helped Ruby take her medicine, remembered when to change her IV, adjusted the height of her pillows.
But when his gaze occasionally fell on Ruby, there was no longer that previous concern and tenderness–instead, there was something complex and unreadable.
Ruby keenly sensed his absent–minded, depressed mood, jealousy burning in her heart like fire, mixed with
deep anxiety.
She knew it was all because of Nina…
She absolutely couldn’t let him keep thinking about that woman who’d already left.
So she became even more seemingly understanding and pitifully fragile on the surface.
She’d sigh softly when he fed her water, appearing unintentionally thoughtful: “Declan, you seem really unhappy these past few days. Is it because of Nina? Is she… still mad at me? It’s all my fault–if it weren’t for me, maybe she wouldn’t have done those impulsive things and left in anger…”
Her words seemed considerate but were actually picking at Nina’s character flaws. Every time she said stuff like this, Declan would frown deeply.
Or when he’d zone out, she’d suddenly grab his shirt, tears streaming like broken pearls, voice choked with emotion: “Declan, please don’t ignore me. I’m scared… You’re all I have left. If you stop caring about me too,
I… I don’t know what I’ll do…”
She tried using her fragility and dependence on Declan to pull back his drifting attention and bind him tightly to her side.
Twenty–eight–year–old Declan watched all this and naturally seized every opportunity to reinforce his
message.
During Ruby’s sleeping moments, he’d coldly tell the window–gazing Declan: “Look at yourself! Moping
Boufriond ve Future Rovfriend–Pick Your Fighter!
Chapter 9
around over someone who’s ancient history–someone with such a vicious heart she drove Ruby to suicide. How can you face Ruby like this? She’s the one you’ll love deeply, the one you’ll protect at all costs in the future! Get rid of those inappropriate thoughts and treat Ruby right!”
Usually Declan just stayed silent, responding with an even colder profile.
But sometimes when pushed too far, he’d whip around with bloodshot eyes, voice hoarse as he growled: “SHUT UP! If the future you’re talking about requires such cruel sacrifices, I’d rather not have it!”
But after exploding like that, seeing twenty–eight–year–old Declan’s cold, certain stare and the pale, fragile Ruby on the bed, massive confusion and helplessness would swallow him again.
The future… that so–called future was suffocating him.
To ease this anxious mood, he occasionally met up with his closest friends.
At dinner, someone would casually ask: “Declan, where’s Nina lately? You two are usually joined at the hip. Fighting again?”
Declan’s expression would instantly freeze at the table, his mouth opening but no words coming out, only awkwardly changing the subject.
Observant friends noticed something was off and muttered in confusion: “Declan’s been weird lately…”
But they couldn’t put their finger on exactly what was strange.
Declan tried every method he could think of to find traces of Nina.
Finally, he had no choice but to call their mutual friends, and they sounded puzzled: “Nina? She didn’t say where she was going–we haven’t been in touch for ages.”
He dug up an old email account they used to share and sent her a long letter.
But it vanished without a trace.
He even went to her building and stood outside, staring up at that dark window all night until dawn.
But the window never lit up again.
For the first time, he truly and desperately felt that Nina was really gone.
She’d completely and cleanly disappeared from his world.
Taking with her either hatred for him, or maybe… complete despair over his already–shifting heart and those ninety–nine blows.
- Vaur Fighter!
hapter 9
And he was left trapped in this place filled with Ruby’s tears, his older self’s cold words, and the regret that
nawed at his heart every second, unable to move.
Nina, where are you…”
