To the Love of My Life

Steve Burton’s eyes flashed with a hint of cold laughter, and then he abandoned all patience and began to torment her at will.

Ruby Gregory felt the pain like waves of a raging sea, sweeping over her in layers, ultimately drowning her completely.

Perhaps it was because she had been relying on painkillers for so long that she couldn’t feel the pain anymore. Now, experiencing this agonizing pain again, Ruby felt somewhat unable to bear it. She even forgot how she had once gritted her teeth and endured it.

She felt his movements growing faster and more forceful, she knew he was angry and just venting on her.

The long-lost humiliation and insult crawled up from the depths of her heart once again.

Ruby clenched her teeth hard, not stopping until her gums were numb with pain, when suddenly she felt the man on top of her come to a halt.

She dared not move, breathe, or open her eyes; fearing that an inadvertent movement might shatter the desperately feigned tranquility.

Steve withdrew from her, picked up a blanket, and wrapped it around himself. His gaze inadvertently fell on Ruby.

Her face was as pale as translucent paper, her eyebrows furrowed tightly, her hands clenched into fists, her body curled up, and she was trembling slightly.

Steve’s actions faltered for a moment as he stared at Ruby. After a long silence, he swallowed and asked, “Actually, deep down, you don’t really like doing this with me, do you?”

Hearing Steve’s voice, Ruby instinctively shook her head. She did not dare to look at him, knowing that he must be angry at this moment.

Steve didn’t say anything, he just quickly averted his gaze, turned around, and strode out of the bedroom.

Only when she heard the bedroom door slam shut did Ruby dare to move slightly. She pulled up the blanket, covered herself, and buried her head in the blanket, curling up even tighter.

Steve headed straight for the swimming pool outside on the first floor. On this early winter night, the water in the open-air pool was icy cold, but he didn’t hesitate to jump in.

As if an untiring robot, he swam back and forth in the pool countless times, not stopping until he was completely exhausted. Leaning against the pool wall, he tilted his head back and looked at the still-dark night sky, his lips curling into a regretful bitter smile.

How awful it was that he had used a phone call from the Bolivia branch to excuse himself for a business trip, and not allowed her to enter his office all day, just to avoid accidentally ruining the harmony between them.

But, in the end, he had still lost control so easily when faced with her.

In fact, he was not angry at her; most of all, he was angry at himself.

Angry at himself for not being capable of winning her genuine heart.

Angry at himself for not knowing how much sincerity was hidden in the small thoughtful gestures she made for him: warming his bathwater, squeezing fresh watermelon juice for him.

Perhaps, she had no sincerity not even a bit.

Otherwise, how could she have remained so indifferent when she took his call late at night in another woman’s arms?

At this thought, Steve’s weary and slightly pale face surfaced a hint of sadness.