A Profound Sense Of Insincerity

The air was filled with the sound of a newborn's cries. "Congratulations, Mrs. Goldie! Look at your beautiful child," the midwife announced, wrapping the baby gently in a soft blanket. She placed the tiny bundle beside Ruby, who was still gathering her strength. The baby's cries ceased as she nestled against her mother's warm bosom.

Ruby, weak but overwhelmed with love, cradled her baby close.

"Isn't my granddaughter beautiful?", Granny Goldie exclaimed to Dorris, her eyes shining with pride.

"Yes, she truly is," Dorris replied, admiring the tender moment between mother and child.

"Though she doesn't resemble her father at all," Granny remarked, her voice carrying a hint of teasing.

At that moment, a sharp pang of pain shot through Ruby. She glanced at her innocent child, tears spilling down her cheeks. In a silent plea, she signaled for Dorris to take the baby. Soon after, Ruby succumbed to unconsciousness, prompting immediate medical attention.

**(At a dinner party)**

"You have a very beautiful child," a woman complimented Elliott, watching as he cradled the peacefully sleeping girl in his arms.

"Thank you," Elliott replied, a blush creeping up his cheeks.

"But she certainly doesn't take after you. I'd guess she looks like her mother," a man standing nearby added.

Ruby, approaching them, felt a surge of anger but bit her tongue, choosing to walk away instead. "She's just a child; she'll probably grow up looking like Mr. Elliott," she said, glancing back at her spouse.

"Yes, I believe that too," Elliott responded, affectionately patting his daughter's head.

---

"Dorris, could you please take Rose to bed?" Ruby asked as she gently transferred the baby from Elliott's arms into Dorris's.

Elliott noticed his mother and kissed her cheek. "How was your day, Mum?"

"It was good, son. You seemed to have a nice day," she replied.

"Yes, it was great."

"Did Rose keep you busy?"

"Not at all! She was fast asleep the whole time and refused to leave her father's arms, where she feels safest," Elliott bragged, a proud smile spreading across his face as he headed toward the stairs.

Granny Goldie shot a glance at Ruby as she passed, saying, "Of course she feels comfortable with you; her mother hardly holds her."

"Mother, she's old enough now," Ruby defended herself.

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't hold her," Granny criticized, her tone sharp.

Ruby walked away, unwilling to engage further. She knew this conversation would lead nowhere good.

---

In the bedroom, Ruby sat in front of the mirror, cleaning the makeup on her face, while recalling the man's comment from the dinner party:

#"But she sure doesn't take after you; I'm guessing she takes after her mother."#

"Are you alright, dear?" Elliott asked, noticing the gloom on Ruby's face as they left the party.

She didn't respond, lost in her thoughts.

"Ruby," he called softly, but she still gave no reply.

He walked closer, placing his hands gently on her shoulders.

Startled, she shook slightly at his touch. She was indeed preoccupied, trying to remember what David, her ex-lover, looked like and whether he resembled their daughter. She gazed into the mirror, oblivious to David's memory lurking behind her.

"What's troubling you?" Elliott asked in his soothing voice.

"Nothing, I'm fine," she stammered, grasping his hand.

"You didn't look fine on the way home," he pointed out gently.

She nodded, forcing a smile to reassure him.

"If something is bothering you, you can tell me," he said before heading to bed.

Ruby pondered, *Doesn't Elliott tire of everyone saying how little Rose resembles him?*.

She wanted to know his true feelings on the matter. She spoke shyly and innocently, "Elliott, what do you think about Rose? People say she barely looks like you."

He laughed lightly. "People say what they like."

Trying to sound casual, she pressed on, "What do you think about Rose, then?"

"So that's what's bothering you?" he asked, stepping closer. He lifted her from her seat, wrapping one arm around her waist and tilting her chin with the other.

"Of course she resembles me! Have you seen the way she walks? Amanda said her steps mirror mine. And when I look at Rose, I see your face. She's as beautiful as her mother," he said, his tone shifting from playful to sincere.

Ruby's heart raced at his words. He gazed into her eyes, then kissed her tenderly, their eyes closing in a moment of connection.

Elliott had always been the man Ruby didn't know existed, after David.

A wave of sadness washed over her as she thought about how she had treated Elliott, a man who had brought so much joy into her life. Each time she watched him play with Rose, laughter dancing in their eyes, guilt tightened its grip around her heart. She felt a profound sense of insincerity, knowing she wasn't fully open with him.

Deep down, she yearned to give him another child, to share that bond with him, but the ache of her inability haunted her. Nights were the hardest; tears would spill down her cheeks as she lay awake, wrestling with her thoughts.

Elliott, who noticed her struggles tried convincing her, that Rose was enough for him. Aware of the longing that stirred within her, he radiated happiness, often speaking lovingly about how fulfilled he felt as just Rose's father, while trying to please Ruby.

Elliott always spoke to her with a kindness that soothed her soul, treating her like royalty from the moment they met.

She vividly recalled the day they first crossed paths. She had been in the garden, tears streaming down her face when a tall, blonde man happened by.

"This garden looks so ugly," he called out, loud enough for her to hear. She quickly wiped her tears away. He casually handed her a handkerchief, and though hesitant at first, she accepted it, feeling a sense of urgency.

"This ugly garden doesn't deserve a beauty like you to cry in it," he said, a twinkle in his eye.

After wiping her tears, she retorted, "The flowers aren't ugly; they're beautiful."

"The only flower in this garden that matters is the lovely lady before me," he replied, his serious demeanor making her heart flutter.

Those words had soothed her spirit, and she found herself falling for him not just because of his looks, but for his gentle, sweet nature.

****

Ruby gently pulled Rose from her arms. "Is that why you were crying instead of sleeping?" she asked, her tone transitioning into that Rose was familiar with.

Rose gazed back, searching for the warmth of the mother who had just held her close.

"We don't want such gloomy atmosphere in our home. We all moved on after your father's burial, so let's not dwell on that sadness," Ruby said, her tone firm but lacking empathy as she turned to leave.

Just as she was about to step away, Rose asked, "What brought you to my room?"

Ruby paused, contemplating whether to answer or simply walk away.