Sylvia pressed her lips together, unsure of what to say.
The cashier leaned on the counter. "Hey, do you guys need anything else?"
Being at work was enough to make anyone irritable.
Realizing the cashier was staring at them, Sylvia immediately shook her head and hurried away.
Lester kept pace with her, his peripheral vision scanning the area not too far away.
After finishing their walk around the market, Sylvia and Lester used their stamp card to redeem a large jug of laundry detergent.
Lester, dressed in a sharp suit and hauling a massive jug of detergent, looked both exasperated and slightly ridiculous.
The two of them chatted and laughed as they returned to the car.
Zion was leaning against the car smoking. Seeing them, he immediately stubbed out his cigarette and opened the car door.
As soon as Sylvia got into the car, she stared in surprise at the toy resting on the back seat.
The Capybara Plushie.
"Is this..."
Zion explained, "I was just wandering around earlier and bought it because it looked fun. It's for you, Ms. Lloyd. Consider it a gift to celebrate your discharge from the hospital."
So that was it.
What a coincidence.
Sylvia smiled. "Thank you."
Zion rubbed his nose and closed the car door.
On the drive back, Sylvia picked up the plushie. The moment she stroked it, her hand paused.
The texture was exactly the same as the one the stall owner had let her feel.
She continued to stroke it gently, turning her head to stare out the window in absolute silence.
Recalling the bustling energy of the market and that fleeting figure she had glimpsed earlier, sudden clarity washed over her.
Once they arrived home, Sylvia got out of the car, waved goodbye to Lester, and headed straight upstairs.
Inside the car, Zion blurted out in surprise, "Ms. Lloyd, your toy..."
Lester simply rolled up the window. "Stop shouting. She's not deaf. Don't you think she heard you? She doesn't want it."
Hearing this, something clicked in Zion's head. He turned to look at Lester with a chuckle.
"Lester, I was just doing someone a favor."

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