Two months later.
One fine Saturday afternoon.
Alex invited Owen to the mansion to have dinner with them.
After eating their sumptuous dinner, they retire into the balcony.
Alex left them on the balcony so that they can have a serious talk.
Owen looked at the woman sitting in front of him. "How are you, Caroline?" he asked.
Caroline smiled a bit. "I'm fine after everything that I went through in the hands of Allison and Greg," she answered. "How about you? How are you doing?" she asked.
Owen released a deep sigh. "Here I am, still feeling guilty for everything that happened in the past. Three people were killed and I have to ask God's forgiveness every single day. I felt guilty... if only I have done something to prevent things from escalating into worst condition, maybe Madam Allison, Brenda, and Veralyn are still alive today and even Greg too," he said.
Caroline breathed deeply.
"Now, only you and I survive until today," Owen said with a sigh.
Caroline looked heavenward. "You have to learn to forgive yourself, Owen. We can only take advantage and continue living this life that God has given us. Maybe there is a reason for everything..." she said in a gloomy voice.
Owen nodded his head. "You are right," he replied.
"How are Allison's adopted daughters?" she asked, wanting to know the condition of the children under his care.
"They are good and obedient children. It is my way of showing my gratitude to Madam Allison for showing me kindness when she was still alive. I will take care of her children so that she will feel happy in heaven seeing her daughters growing healthy in a secure environment. I will make sure that they will grow up properly and not follow their mother's footsteps," Owen said sincerely.
Caroline sighed. For Owen, Allison is a good benefactor, but for her... she is a monster, a sick one! But it's no used rekindling her hatred for Allison since she's already dead. She can only move on and not let her dark past torture her again.
She cleared her throat. "Where do you think Brenda and Veralyn's body was buried?" she asked.
Owen shook her head. "Only the late Madam knows. The last time we talked, she told me that they were already given a proper burial," he lied. Actually, he knows where Veralyn's body was buried. But he doesn't want to talk about it because there is no use to tell Caroline about it. It's already in the past, he can't bring it now especially that Caroline is pregnant with Alex's child. At one point in the past, when the sisters in the orphanages ask for Veralyn's whereabouts, he told them a lie that she eloped with her boyfriend and can no longer be contacted.
"Congratulation to the baby!" Owen changed the topic quickly.
"Thank you," Caroline smiled, she caressed her protruding tummy with her hands.
"It's about time that Sir Alex will have a companion in life. He's been alone and lonely for a long time," Owen said.
Caroline smiled. "Yeah... I never expected something like this to happen. Ironically, destiny plays a trick to me and Alex."
"Maybe this is heaven's way in fixing everything through healing and giving a new life through your belly to compensate for the lost ones," Owen expressed his personal view of the events surrounding them.
"Maybe you are right," Caroline replied.
A few minutes later.
Alex returned to the balcony.
Owen rose to his feet. "Time for me to go," he said. "Bye Caroline...see you again soon!" he said.
"Bye Owen, drive safely," she responded.
Alex looked at Owen. "See you and the kids tomorrow at the cemetery," he said.
"Okay, we will be there after lunch," Owen replied. He nods at Caroline and left the balcony.
Caroline looked at Alex. "Are you going to the cemetery tomorrow?" she asked.
Alex nods his head. "Yeah. Once a month, Owen, the kids, and I visit Allison and Greg in the cemetery," he explained.
"Okay, I'll go with you and visit them in the cemetery," she said.
"Are you sure?" Alex asked her.
"Yeah," she answered.
"Alright, let's retire to our bedroom to sleep," Alex said and wrapped his arms around her.
The couple left the balcony and went to their bedroom to sleep for the night.
~
The following day.
Alex and Caroline have breakfast in bed.
After eating breakfast they went swimming in the pool.
Hours went by.
Lunchtime comes. The couple dined in the dining room. The dishes consisted of vegetable stew, fish soup, and chicken afritada.
The couple enjoyed their meal.
After lunch, they get ready in going to the cemetery.
At 2:00 pm... the couple left the bedroom going to the ground floor. They exited the house and boarded the car. Alex started the engine and drove the car out of the gate.
One hour later.
They finally reached their destination and bought two baskets of flowers at the entrance of the cemetery.
Owen and the kids were already in front of the grave of Allison and Greg when the couple arrived.
Caroline and Alex placed the basket of flowers in front of the tombstone.
Owen lighted the two candles.
Each of them recited silent prayers in their minds for the soul of the departed.
Caroline stared at the two tombstones, fresh tears sprang in her eyes. The two people who made her life a living hell in the past were already buried six feet under. Maybe, it's God's way of punishing them for making her life miserable.
She looked at Alex's sad face. He must be feeling depressed that he lost two siblings one after another, his sorrow must be great. She reached for his hand and intertwined it with hers. Alex gripped her hand, thankful for her warmth and understanding.
They stayed in the cemetery until 5:30 in the afternoon and decided to go home.
Inside the car.
Alex looked at Caroline. "Do you still hate them after what they have done to you in the past?" he asked.
Caroline sighed and shook her head "The moment they left this world, I stopped hating them," she replied. "There's still some pain left in my heart but I'm sure that in due time the pain will fade away..." she said, giving him an honest answer.
"Thank you for no longer hating them, babe. It means a lot to me," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Caroline patted his arms affectionately, to reassure him that she won't let their dark past destroy what they have right now, including their bright future.
One hour later, they arrived home safely.