DOMINIC

“Daddy!” Her louder cry made me realise that she was closer than I thought. So, as my feet dragged and moved forward, I searched until I saw her little self rushing toward me.

“Ruby...” I breathed in relief once she was engulfed in my arms. My crouched figure felt more relief when I confirmed that the contact between us was very real.

“Daddy,” Ruby’s voice was shaky, so I temporarily broke our hug to take a look at her face.

“Yes, my daughter?” I tried to smile for her, but the signs of dirt on her face broke my heart so much, it took everything within me to not...