The teenager put away their phone, now more interested in the unfolding scene. The elderly couple exchanged knowing glances, their expressions softening with respect as they observed the woman sitting quietly beside Richard.
Richard shifted uncomfortably in his seat, suddenly aware of the pettiness of his earlier behavior. He cleared his throat, trying to muster an apology. “I—I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to come off as rude.”
Emily turned to him, her expression kind but firm. “It’s okay. I’ve learned to ignore comments like that. It’s not easy to judge someone’s worth by their appearance.”
Her words hung in the air, poignant and direct. Richard nodded, feeling the weight of his earlier judgments. He realized how easily he had allowed superficial biases to cloud his perception. Here was a woman who had dedicated her life to unraveling the mysteries of the universe, sitting quietly beside him, unassuming and humble.
