"Let bygones be bygones. We should look into the future. Sara doesn't understand you. So, I won't
cajole her into anything. I will try to persuade her, but I have to be there for you now. Do you know that
all the hatred I felt towards you quickly disappeared the moment you walked through that door? I just
couldn't continue to bottle it up. You came back because you consider this place as your home."
Carlos' eyes twinkled. He smiled, as he reached out to touch Tasha's face.
Her face was actually smooth and there were very little wrinkles. She seemed not to have aged at all!
However, the corners of her eyes wrinkled whenever she smiled. Also, her hair was scantier than
usual. This was because of the fierce battle with cancer.
"I didn't have the courage to come back. I was too afraid to do so. After all, I was the one who chose to
leave in the first place. I thought you wouldn't welcome me back. So, I had to endure my suffering all
alone. My husband was wealthy, but he was also very stingy. He never gave me a dime. I now
understand that a man's wealth doesn't matter. All that really matters is if he loves me or not."
She paused. It appeared as if she had a lump in her throat. Indeed, she had divorced Carlos because
she thought he didn't care about her. At that time, she was so convinced that he didn't love her. She
saw him as a deceiver.
She had continued to say that to herself. Eventually, she believed that he actually betrayed her.
However, she later realized her costly mistake. It had dawned on her that he actually took good care of
her.
For a very long time, she thought of coming back to find Carlos. Her heart ached whenever she thought
of him. Sadly, returning wasn't an option. She had a new family and she knew she would betray them, if
she ever tried to get a divorce.
So, she didn't dare to come back to him. Nonetheless, she kept all their memories in her heart. Tasha's
greatest fear was that Carlos had already remarried. She didn't want to see that after she came back.
Because of this, their paths never crossed for more than 10 years. Their hearts suffered during this
time. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't forget all the beautiful memories.
Whenever she remembered him, she would buy a pot of beautiful flowers. Gradually, each pot of
flowers formed a small garden in her new home. Sadly, she had no one to confide in. Not a single
companion!
Indeed, the experience people had always contributed to their personality. All her life, she had lived like
a wind. She couldn't figure out which direction to take.
Because she was confused, she remained stuck in one place. Years passed by, and she heard no
news about Carlos.
Although, she never set eyes on him, he was tucked safely in her heart. Nevertheless, she didn't regret
her actions. Neither was she in any way bitter. In life, everyone had to make their personal choices.
She had chosen a difficult path, but she had to endure it.
After the death of her husband and she had almost gone broke, she longed to reunite with her beloved
daughter and former lover. The urge was stronger than ever.
"I know you've suffered all these years. I always wanted to look for you, but I lacked the courage. I
wanted to make my company successful, and then went to find you. Unfortunately, it is still struggling. I
think it's because I am no good. Or maybe it's because I couldn't take care of my personal problems."
Carlos couldn't help but laugh at his luck. He wondered what good thing happened to him in his
lifetime. Things never seemed stable for him. Asides from the frequent ups and down, he got nothing
else.
The only thing he was grateful for was that Sara was now grown. The poor girl had gone through a lot
at a tender age. Nevertheless, the future was now looking bright for her.
"No, don't blame yourself. You did a great job. After my departure, I thought extensively about what
happened. I don't think I would've performed so well, if I was placed in your shoes. It wasn't that you
didn't do your best. The problem was that my standards were too high."
Tasha choked with sobs and held Carlos' hand tightly. At that instant, the bond between them wasn't
love. It was family affection. They both felt the magnetic connection of their blood.
Although, love is only momentary. Family affection takes a long time to nurture. In fact, the most
intense feeling of love isn't so excellent. It isn't until, it is mixed with family affection.
It doesn't matter where life takes a person to, or how life has changed their personality. As long as they
find their way back, their family would eventually welcome them with open arms.
Although she believed she could never properly shed tears since she had already dried up her tears,
her eyes became wet all over again. In her lifetime, the most fortunate thing that happened was
meeting this man.
"Had I known, I would have never left your side. I was just so attracted to the fake life. I coveted things
that glittered. My greed has landed me into this situation. I don't expect Sara to forgive me. That will be
too selfish of me. Not after all I put her through. Same goes for you, I won't ask for your forgiveness.
Notwithstanding my illness, I would not expect you to check up on me. You are not responsible for my
wellbeing. I totally deserve it."
Hot tears rolled down her face again. The tears weren't like those of an aged woman. They were like
that of a young lady.
"Stop crying, or your face will look horrible." Carlos used his fingers to wipe the tears off her face.
Meanwhile, Sara was standing by the door. She was already crying, as she watched her parents.
Jacob was also present, but he couldn't say a word. Despite the fact that the adults spoke in low tones,
every word they said was audible.
Jacob knew everyone had their own story. However, he never knew his wife's story was so complicated
and long.
Affectionately, he tightened his grip on her shoulder. "Do you know what I want to say the most now?"
Confused, she stared up at him. "What do you want to say?"
"Thank you for staying by my side." His affectionate gaze caused a spark in her whole being. Her heart
felt like it was about to burst open.
Instead of replying, she simply nodded. She was just speechless. The best part about being with him
was that she knew he adored her. Even if he didn't tell her, she just knew. They both shared a deep
connection. The love they shared was reciprocal.
With wide eyes, Sara stared at her mom. All the memories she had of her mom suddenly flashed
through her mind. She had not forgotten them, after all.
Her mother was just a little naïve. Although, she was an adult, she behaved like an inexperienced little
girl. When she was a child, this behavior had confused her so much.
Why did her dad tell her mother goodbye, every single day before he left for work? The reason had just
occurred to her now.
A woman's biggest success is to completely own a man. For a female, a man is her whole world. In
fact, from the very beginning, Tasha had Carlos all to herself. However, her greed overtook her sense
of reasoning. She wanted more.
She had no idea that she was all he had. When she left, he was shattered. Now, she wanted to walk
back into his heart. But, she no longer had chance.
"Don't beat yourself up about the past. Sara is doing pretty well. She is already married to a good man.
Although, there are still some obstacles, she's good. You don't need to worry about my loneliness. I
have become friends with it. These past years have taught me so much. Presently, the most important
thing is your health. You have to get better. Once that is done, you can worry about other things,"
Carlos consoled her with a soothing voice. Even though, she had hurt him, she was only a human and
she was bound to make mistakes. As a result, he didn't want to discuss about the past anymore. He
just wanted to make sure that she got better.
"No, you let me finish. I think this is my punishment. I am not talking about this sickness. I am referring
to the chance I lost to reunite with you. I had only one chance, but I threw it away."
Tasha burst into tears. She was weeping like a child, who was smacked by her mother. She had just
realized her mistakes, but it was already too late.
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