You're Not Alone Anymore

"I can't meet you without her." Ruby reminded him that their fates might never have crossed if not for Esli's trickery.

Ruby would have spent her entire life in Veracruz. The chances of meeting Ed were slim.

"We met because it was meant to be. Even if it were not for Esli, I believe we would have met anyway. Perhaps under more favorable conditions, we wouldn't have gotten off to a terrible start." Ed refused to acknowledge that Esli was the reason for their meeting. He preferred to imagine another fate—maybe he and Ruby were meeting on the street accidentally. Something simple without exhausting drama.

"Yes. I prefer that too." Ruby murmured as her eyes grew heavy. The medication started to work.

"Ruby?" Ed called softly, then sighed when he saw she had fallen asleep.

"Sound asleep," Ed muttered, suddenly recalling the moment when Ruby fell asleep on the porch after inadvertently exposing her body. This memory bears some resemblance to her present condition.

Ed felt a bit envious to s