To the Love of My Life

With a sudden limp in his leg, Steve almost knelt on the ground. Thinking of Ruby, whom he held tightly, he feared she would be pulled down if he dropped, so he braced himself and endured the sharp pain that quickly spread from his leg to the bottom of his heart.

Steve looked down at Ruby, enduring the pain, and subconsciously wanted to check if she had been injured. His hand had just touched her shoulder when he suddenly realized the situation they now found themselves in. His fingers hesitated slightly before quickly letting go of Ruby. Without sparing her a glance, he turned and left.

Ruby’s residence was in the city center, and despite the late hour—around 10 at night—there were still quite a few pedestrians passing by. When they saw the accident occur, many gathered around.

Among the onlookers, a good Samaritan who saw Steve leave asked, “Sir, are you injured?”

Steve did not say a word; he simply strode quickly into the alley beside them.

The sudden turn of events came without warning. When Ruby saw the motorcycle heading straight for her, she closed her eyes in fright, as if by reflex.

Just when she thought her unborn child would surely be done for, she found herself embraced by a familiar-scented, warm hug which entered her nostrils.

Ruby suddenly felt as if she had been affected by an acupoint spell, her mind nearly blank. It wasn’t until the embrace that held her abruptly disappeared that she came to her senses. She looked around, but she couldn’t see Steve’s figure at all.

“Miss, are you injured anywhere?” a middle-aged woman asked Ruby with concern.

Ruby stopped searching for Steve, unconsciously touching her stomach and finding no abnormalities. She shook her head at the woman and looked at her surroundings uncontrollably again: “I’m fine; thank you.”

The one who caused the accident was drunk and driving against traffic. He had already been taken away by nearby traffic police. When Steve pulled Ruby aside earlier, the things she had purchased in the supermarket had scattered on the ground. Enthusiastic people helped her pick them up.

Ruby said, “Thank you,” and took them.

Seeing that she was not seriously injured, the others dispersed.

Ruby held her shopping bag, standing still. After a while, she headed towards the alley not far away.

The alley’s lighting was dim, with two cars parked at the entrance. The alley was empty, and there was no one in sight.

Ruby walked a long distance into the alley, not seeing Steve’s figure. Frowning, she stood still for a moment, then turned around with her items and left the alley.