Once Loved, Forever broken

Alexander's POV

My veins popped out of my temple as I held on to the lady's hand like my life depended on it.

I was on my way home when I noticed a feminine figure hanging onto a rod. I wondered what she was doing there for such an hour but before I could get out of my car, she crossed over the road.

‘Suicide?’ The only thought that came to mind as I quickly plopped out of my car headed towards the lady.

Her actions were the last of things I want to see anyone do. A sense of urgency rushed through my veins as I quickly caught hold of her hand before she jumped out of reach.

Today was one of the times I was thankful for hitting the gym often as my muscles enabled me to lift the lady up until she was back on the road.

“Why-why did you save me?” She questioned the moment I let go of her hand.

My brows pulled together in confusion,”Excuse me? You think I was going to let you kill yourself? What were you even thinking trying to kill yourself by the highway?”

Her eyes glistened with tears before her lips turned downward, making her face wear a frown.

“Well, what do you do when you've lost hope in living? What do you do when you get tired of trying? What do you do when-when the one you love betrays you?” She sobbed profusely as she finished.

It was unusual for me but I felt so concerned about this lady. Her beautiful face looked like it should only wear a smile and seeing her in such a sensitive state made me worried.

I pulled the lady into a warm embrace, her warm body trembled in my arms but she didn't stop crying, “Hey, don't cry. It's okay, I understand.”

Well, technically that was a lie. I had no idea what it felt like to be betrayed or to be tired of living. As a matter of fact, the only thing that frustrated me was my mother's consistent disturbance to get married soon and that was not enough reason for me to want to kill myself.

We stood in each other's arms for some minutes, the only sounds audible enough to hear were her sobbing and cricket sounds. The streetlight standing beside did well to provide a little light in the midst of the darkness.

Seconds ticked into minutes and the lady slowly stopped crying.

She broke the embrace while trying to wipe her tears so I offered her a handkerchief, “Thank you, I really needed that.”

A smile spread across my lips seeing that she was now calm, “I'm glad I was able to help. Well, wanna talk about why you were trying to do that?” I pointed towards the stream beside us.

She stared at me as if trying to see if she could trust me with her problems before looking away, “I just caught my husband cheating on me with my step sister.”

My jaws dropped, “I'm so sorry about that. How long was your relationship with him?”

She crossed her arms as she turned her back on me, “Two years. We had a beautiful marriage for two years and he just decided to-”

I rested a palm on her shoulder, “It's fine. I get it. Did he hurt you so bad that you wanted to end your own life? For a man who isn't even worth it?”

She spun around, “Isn't that enough reason? My dad who were supposed to be there for me died and left me with a stepmother who doesn’t give two fucks about my existence. The only person I considered family has just been taken away from me and you think I should still have a reason to live?”

I sighed softly as I tried to gather my thoughts, “I know it's difficult but I don't think it should be the end of your world. You're a beautiful woman who would sweep anyone off their feet with your smile. You can always have anyone you want if it's about your lover. As for your parents, sometimes we can't control how life works, it happens for the best.”

Her eyes flared up in anger upon my statement which was quite different from what I was expecting.

“If beauty could help me this whole time, why couldn't I pay my father's accumulated debts with my smile? Hell, life would be fucking easy if all I had to do was go around and smile. I mean I'm stranded right now so why don't I just smile at you and have you help me?”

Her question made me smirk, “Go for it.”

Her lips turned upwards and they curved into the most beautiful smile I've seen from a woman different from my mother. Her eyes still sparkled with the sorrow drowning her inside but her cheeks stood prominent, complimenting her pretty set of dentition.

The crazy urge to cup her face surged in my heart so I pocketed my hands in my pocket to bow the pressure.

“How bout I help you get a place to stay?”

She gasped softly, “Really? I'd be so grateful! Thank you so much!”

Guilt welled up in my belly as I stared at the excited lady because I was only taking advantage of her situation even though I did find her attractive.

“On one condition”

Her profile twisted in disappointment,“Oh. What do I have to do?”

I drove my hands into my hair, “Get married to me.”