𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐄 - 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄

Chapter 23 - Bleeding

Third Person POV :
For a moment, she felt paralyzed, unsure of how to process this sudden revelation. Her hands trembled slightly as she scrolled through the message again, hoping it was some kind of cruel joke or misunderstanding. But the evidence seemed damning, and Test Tube couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her breath hitched, caught in the throat, as a heavy weight settled in her chest.

The first tear escaped, tracing a silent path down her cheek, followed by another and then another. Her vision blurred, the world around her becoming hazy as the tears continued to flow freely, unchecked.

Her shoulders shook with the weight of her emotions, her chest heaving with each ragged breath. The tears fell in a steady stream now, her body trembling with the intensity of her sorrow.

"N-No... You're not like that... Fan..." She whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. She tried to wipe her own tears, but it felt like every movement was a struggle, as if it was hard to move a muscle.

"You're crying again, Miss Ethylene." Bot's soft voice broke through the silence, filled with empathy and understanding. Bot noticed that Test Tube had been sad for the past two months. They saw it in her puffy eyes and dark circles, signs of her ongoing distress. Without a word, Bot wrapped their arms around Test Tube in a tight, comforting hug.

"I'm sorry you have to see me like this." Test Tube whispered to Bot, her voice shaky. "I shouldn't be crying in front of you."

"It's okay if you cry, doctor. I'll be your shoulder when you cry." They said rubbing her shoulders. She leaned into the hug, finding a momentary refuge in Bot's comforting presence.

As Test Tube returned to her apartment, the weight of the day's events still heavy on her mind. Shedding the day's clothes, she slipped into a cozy pair of pajamas, the soft fabric a gentle embrace against her skin.

With a weary sigh, she glanced at her phone, her heart sinking at the sight of numerous missed calls and messages from Fan. The urge to answer, to explain, to seek comfort in his voice tugged at her, but she hesitated.

The events of the day had left her emotionally drained, and the thought of confronting the turmoil in her heart felt daunting. A part of her longed for Fan's reassuring presence, but another part feared the conversation that woull.

Closing her eyes, Test Tube allowed herself to drift into the embrace of sleep, hoping that in the quiet of the night, clarity would come, and the weight on her heart would lighten, even if just a little.

Meanwhile

The day after his mother told him he could take a break, Fan was packing his things, ready to leave. As he zipped up his suitcase, his mother entered the room, her face etched with concern.

"Fan, are you cheating on Test Tube?" She asked bluntly, her voice trembling slightly.

Fan froze, shock coursing through him. "What? No, absolutely not! Why would you even think that?" He replied, his voice filled with confusion and defensiveness. His mother sighed, holding up her phone. "There's a photo going viral on social media. People are saying you're dating your co-worker."

The color drained from his face as he took the phone from her and saw the image. The photo showed him and his coworker in what appeared to be an intimate moment, completely misrepresenting the situation. The post had gone viral, filled with comments speculating about his relationship status.

"This is ridiculous. I would never cheat on Test Tube. We've never even made our relationship public, so how could this happen?" He felt a wave of anger and frustration.

As he vehemently denied the allegations, a memory flashed through his mind-the time Quartz had kissed him without his consent. The unwanted kiss had felt like a violation then, but now, realizing how it could be misconstrued, it felt like a ticking time bomb. It all made sense now. Quartz must have spread these rumors, using the photo to scam and defame him.