54. REALIZATION

~ASH

I stood a few feet away and watched Ruby's rigid shoulder as Ethan walked towards her.

The look in her eyes when she first sighted her husband made it clear, maybe not to anyone else, but to me, that she had been hoping he would come.

But the stuff set of her shoulders, and how her palms had formed into fists also made it clear that she was embarrassed, ashamed, and most importantly, annoyed at him.

The look in Ethan's face was anguished enough to make even someone like me waver, but I watched with a a fierce pride as Ruby maintained her stance.

“Ruby…” Ethan's voice was a plea, a small, broken plea. That single word was filled with so much emotion that I almost gave them space.

It seemed too intimate.

But I didn't leave. More like I couldn't. My feet stayed glued to where I was standing, few feet away from them, watching, listening.

Ethan made to touch her, to embrace her, but Ruby took a step backwards, halting his movements.

She didn't say anything