” Then he walked away. One evening, the sky turned orange behind the glass walls. Ruth sat by the balcony, sipping tea. Ethan joined her quietly. The hum of the city floated below. She said, “I never wanted revenge,” he replied. “It was never revenge. It was respect overdue.” She chuckled softly. You always did take things too far.
He smiled, resting his head lightly on her shoulder, just like when he was a boy who couldn’t sleep. And you always forgave too easily. For a long moment, neither spoke. Only the faint rhythm of traffic and the rustle of curtains filled the space. Ruth broke the silence. Do you miss her? He exhaled. No, I miss who I thought she was.
Ruth nodded, eyes glistening. That’s how you know you’re healing. He looked at her hand, the same one that had carried him through hunger, sickness, and storms. He took it gently. I used to think money made me powerful. Turns out love made me untouchable. Ruth smiled. The lines on her face soft under the golden light.