Chapter 284 - Tit For Tat

Alex stayed true to his promise and didn't attempt to touch or hold her hands that she appreciated greatly.

They strolled back and forth in the seashore.

Sometimes they would glance at each other for a few seconds, only to shift their eyes away from each other.

Alex cleared his throat. "What are you thinking?" he broke their silence.

"I'm thinking about you..." she answered.

Alex smiled, surprised by her reply. He thought she was thinking about her husband. "That's good news!" he grinned. "May I know why you're thinking about me?" he asked, curiously. He was feeling euphoric that she was thinking of him.

Caroline smiled and shrugged her shoulder. "Nothing..."

"Liar! I think you find me handsome and eye candy? Am I right?" he asked arrogantly.

Caroline laughed. "Look at you, so full of yourself!" she said, giggling.

Alex smiled. "I'm glad I make you smile," he said, looking at her deeply, a huge amount of love leaping from his eyes.

Caroline ignored his teasing and assessed him with an unbiased opinion in her mind. Honestly, Alex is not that bad. He is a complete package. If a woman wants unconditional love and financial stability, he can provide them all. And when it comes to the look department, he certainly had the appealing masculine look. He also emanated an aura that was both serious and formidable.

Alex noticed that Caroline was staring at him for a few minutes. "Like what you see? Did I pass your standard?" he asked, smirking.

Caroline smiled and rolled her eyes. "Shall we go back to the house now?" she said, avoiding his questions.

"Why? You don't like to stroll the beach anymore?" he asked.

"The night is getting late, time to rest and sleep," she answered.

Alex looked at her face. He wants to confess his love and honest intention towards her, and now is the perfect time to tell her. "Caroline, I just want to tell you that I'm serious with my intention towards you. Just in case your husband no longer cares about you. You can always come back to me. I'll always be here for you. Since my marriage to my first wife was annulled already, I can marry you anytime. My heart will wait for you. I love you," he proposed, exposing his heart to her.

Caroline smiled. "Are you proposing? Where's the ring?" she joked.

Alex hit his head. "Damn! I forgot about the ring!" he said sheepishly. "But seriously, I'm not joking here. I'm honest with my intentions," he said.

Caroline released a deep sigh. "Yeah, I know that you are serious with your intention. I can see it in your eyes..." she assured him that she got his message across. "Shall we go now?"

"I'm sorry, I know that it's not the perfect time to propose marriage to you considering that you have a problem with your first husband. Just that I'm worried that I might no longer have any chance to tell you after you left my house and return to your husband," he apologized sincerely.

"Don't worry much... I understand your feelings," she said. "Shall we go back to the house now?' she asked again.

"Okay, let's go home," he finally gives in to her demands.

The fifteen minutes ride back home was filled with silence.

Alex already poured out his inner feelings to Caroline. He was hoping that she will take into consideration that she was the only woman he had proposed marriage after being legally annulled from his first wife.

When they entered the house, Alex bid her good night. "Sweet dreams..."

"Same to you," she replied and climbs the stairs going to her room without looking back.

Alex remained rooted on the spot, watching her lovely form climbing the stairs with a mixture of love, longing, and happiness flickering in his eyes.

She's one woman he couldn't have in this lifetime, but then, he was luckier because they have some unforgettable moments together. It's worth a lifetime of memories, and for that, he was thankful to God that he had given him a chance to enjoy some intimate moments with the love of his life.

He locked the main door of the house as well the back door, then turn off the lights and climb the stairs going to his room to retire for the night.

Meanwhile, inside Caroline's bedroom.

She was already tucked on the bed, trying to sleep, but she can't 'coz sleep is too far away. She was getting tired of thinking about her dilemma. Tired of thinking about why her happiness doesn't last longer than it should?

Why her happiness is fleeting?

Maybe because she killed a person, that's why she was being punished? Was it karma?

Goddammit! She never wanted to kill anyone! She was just defending herself. But then killing someone is always a big sin against God and humanity.

Although she was not serving a jail term for killing someone, her personal life was like a wrecking ball.

She was indeed a sinner. She can only wait, hope, and wish that God will be merciful to her and give her a little bit of happiness again.

Sigh, there is no mercy for sinners in this world.

She was only given more than a year of happiness and peace of mind and now her life was plunged into darkness again.

Her mind drifted to her children's welfare.

Baby Cathy's future was already well secured since she had wealthy grandparents.

The twins' future was also secured. She was sure that Mike and her wealthy mother-in-law will provide a bright future for her children.

Hmm...what about her?

If her marriage to Mike was already hopeless...where she will go? What will happen to her? Considering that she doesn't have much money left in her savings account. Ah, she wasn't hopeless at all, she can always sell her property in Davao City and maybe start a small business of her own.

Well... that cheered her a bit.

"And what about Mike?" her inner voice whispered in her ears.

Eh, What about him?

Wait... what is Mike to her?

They had s.e.x twice. Other than that...she had no idea what to think about him.

Her inner voice whispered to her. "Alex is financially secured and offering you marriage. With him, you have nothing to hide anymore. Besides, he is great in bed, you are s.e.x.u.a.lly compatible with each other. What else do you want?"

Caroline brows furrowed. Indeed, Alex is handy. Although she doesn't love him, yet he is willing to offer her security and his name.

Besides, true love only brings her pain. Maybe, she has to change her perspective and no longer prioritize love.

Now that her life comes to this, love is the least of her concern.

This time her future comes first before love.

From now on, she would be treating Alex differently because she was now at a crossroads of her life. Whatever decision she's making herself today, it might play an important role in her life in the future.

If her husband is going to discard her, then she won't be disheartened for too long because she has someone willing to offer her comfort.

Now that she was done analyzing her life, the darkness surrounding her seems to lighten a bit. She might be grieving for the impending end of her marriage to Mike, but that will only last for a while, she will learn to move on eventually. That is how life goes on in this world, you can't be happy all the time. There is no such thing as perfect love and perfect happiness.

Everything in this world changes with time.

With those positive thoughts running in her mind she was finally able to summon sleep and drifted into a peaceful slumber.