Richard covered his face in shame when he was reminded of his past crimes. He felt too ashamed to look into Ella's eyes or say anything to her. Even her closeness towards him was suffocating. So he walked away from her to the far end of the room and sat down on a single chair.
"Richard," Ella pulled a seat towards him and sat opposite him, "I am not happy to see you suffer this way. We used to be best friends in the past. We used to be inseparable lovers. You used to be my best friend and my pride. But things changed. We fell out of love but not out of friendship. Irrespective of what has happened between us, I still believe that deep down inside of you, that sweet-hearted and caring Richard still lives."
"Please," Ella gently placed her hand on his and stroked it gently, let bygones be bygones. "Forgive me for my past mistake just as I have chosen to forgive you. We can both rise above our ashes and become better individuals."