Love Is Out of Balance

Chapter 6

That night, I was on a flight to another country, where a new world awaited me. The moment I landed, I headed straight to the branch office and threw myself into my work. It wasn't until three days later that Xavier called. As soon as I answered, he started yelling and cursing.

"Grace, where the hell have you been? You emptied out the house! Are you really going to divorce me?"

I stayed quiet, letting him vent until he ran out of steam. Then, I responded coldly.

"Xavier, the divorce papers are on the table. If you're not calling to discuss the divorce, don't call me again."

He shot back, "Where did you go? Why can't I reach you? Did you go abroad?"

I hung up impatiently and blocked his number. Moments later, his texts flooded my phone, full of accusations and questions. I blocked him too. Finally, I had some peace and quiet.

Ten days later, Xavier sent me a heartfelt apology letter. It was forwarded to me by my boss, Owen. I skimmed through it:

Grace, I'm sorry. Over the past few days, I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I realize how much I've missed you. Losing you made me realize that you've always been the one who gave and tolerated everything while I took you for granted. After you left, looking at the empty house made me feel lost. I now understand that my regret shouldn't come at the expense of your feelings. Nicole is my first love, and I didn't want to lose her, but I've ended things with her. Can you give me another chance?

Xavier's letter seemed genuine, but I didn't believe men like him ever changed. I'd invested too much love and hope in him already, and now, I couldn't feel anything for him. I asked Owen to relay a simple message to Xavier: Do not contact me unless it's about the divorce.

After that, Xavier didn't contact me again, and I moved on.

About a month later, I was working late when I stepped out of the office and saw a familiar figure standing in front of me. It was Xavier, looking disheveled in an old jacket, unshaven, and his hair messy.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised.

Without warning, Xavier dropped to his knees, his eyes filled with regret.

"Grace, I'm so sorry. Please come back. Let's start over."

I shook my head. "No. If you keep harassing me, I'll call the police."

I started to walk away, but Xavier grabbed my leg, holding on tight.

"Why? Why don't you want to start over with me? Is it because of Caleb? Are you really in love with him? Let me tell you, a guy like him can't love you. He's just playing with you. You can't..."

"What? Who said I'm just playing with her?"

From the shadows, Caleb's tall figure emerged, stepping in front of me protectively.

"I arrived just in time, didn't I?" he said, his voice steady.

I blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Caleb smiled. "Well, our business is global. Your company can expand here, but why can't we?"

I was about to respond when Caleb suddenly pulled out a small jewelry box and knelt down in front of me.

"Grace Lewis, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked, his eyes sincere and full of warmth.

I felt a flutter in my chest, but reality kicked in.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hall. I haven't finalized my divorce with Mr. Walsh yet. Technically, I'm still married, so this doesn't seem appropriate."

Caleb glanced at Xavier, who was still kneeling, and his eyes turned mocking.

"Mr. Walsh," Caleb said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "I hear your company is struggling. How about we make a deal? I'll invest $1 million to save your company, but the condition is you finalize your divorce with Ms. Lewis quickly."

Xavier's face tightened as he weighed the offer. After a tense pause, he looked at Caleb, his resolve hardening.

"Two million dollars. Not a cent less!"

Caleb nodded. "Two million? Sure. We'll book our tickets back now, and once Ms. Lewis finalizes the divorce, the money will be transferred."

The next morning, Caleb accompanied me and Xavier to the law office. We finalized the divorce, and Caleb promptly transferred two million dollars to Xavier's company. Xavier barely spared me a glance as he walked out, his eyes cold.

Caleb grinned beside me. "Well, Xavier's sincerity and repentance are worth two million dollars, I guess. Ms. Lewis, will you marry me?"

He pulled out a bouquet of roses and a huge diamond ring, dropping to one knee right outside the law office.

I was stunned for a moment, my heart racing.

"This... didn't you say you wanted me to be your girlfriend? How did this turn into a proposal?"

"Well, we're right in front of the law office," Caleb said with a playful smile. "Why not just make it official? You've got your divorce papers, let's get married."

Without thinking, I said yes. Just like that, I became Mrs. Hall.

Three years later, I had two children, one son and one daughter. Life is full of choices, and no one can guarantee every decision will be the right one. But I knew without a doubt, this time, I made the right choice.

Losing a self-deceiving love gave way to a real one, one that warmed my heart and made my life feel whole. My life was finally beautiful.

The end.