Richard fell into a long, heavy silence after hearing Ruby's words.
The air between them seemed to freeze, heavy with unspoken tension. Ruby watched him with a sorrowful expression, her teary eyes filled with longing, until he finally broke the silence.
"Okay."
Her heart leaped at the faint hope in his response, but the icy words that followed doused it like a bucket of cold water.
"I'll take you back, but after you've explained yourself, there's nothing left between us. I don't want my wife misunderstanding or causing unnecessary trouble."
His tone was firm, his expression serious, as if the passionate history they once shared had never existed. Ruby's heart twisted painfully.
How could his wife have such a strong hold over him that he'd willingly sever all ties with the
