Chapter 300 Please Don't Try to Persuade Her
Alexander started making serious plans. He studied maps, asked around for information about the roads, and thought of several small towns suitable for staying out of sight from acquaintances.
He even began paying attention to job postings in the newspapers, imagining himself first finding some physical labor to cover their expenses.
He also thought about a way out for Caroline. Maybe she could open a small tailor shop, or run a little grocery store...
Then when the time was right, once they got settled, he might even find a way to contact some old connections and send Caroline abroad to study. Or they could simply choose a school together and enroll at the same time.
Once they both graduated from college, they would get married and live like countless ordinary couples in the world.
Alexander laid out these plans one by one for Caroline. He spoke very seriously, as if spreading out their future before her eyes.
Caroline listened quietly the whole time. She occasionally offered small suggestions. There was hope in her eyes, but also worry she couldn't suppress. Alexander knew what she was afraid of, but they both tactfully avoided that topic.
They began quietly packing things, making sure they could leave at any time.
Irene came by once. She talked privately with Caroline for a while.
Irene told her that because Caroline hadn't gone home, Isabella was almost losing control, asking people everywhere for information. But recently Isabella had stopped.
Apparently the Simmons family had no intention of forming a marriage alliance with the Neville Family at all.
The reason wasn't that they looked down on the Neville Family. On the contrary, precisely because the Neville Family still held a respectable position in Grandhaven, the Simmons family found it troublesome. A girl from this kind of family, once married in, would likely not be easily controlled.
Plus Alan's mental state was unstable. If something really happened to the girl who married in, the Simmons family would have a hard time explaining it to the outside world, and might even cause bigger trouble.
So their target was very clear. They wouldn't choose girls from backgrounds too low with no connections, nor would they choose girls with backgrounds too strong and too much influence. They set their sights on families that were doing okay financially, but had almost no weight in Grandhaven.
Irene privately urged Caroline to go back. She spoke very directly.
"After you go back, your mother will definitely scold you, but it's still better than suffering hardship with a fallen young master. You didn't grow up with that kind of hard life. Right now you think you love Mr. Hamilton, so you're willing to do anything. But what about ten years from now? Twenty years? Can you really guarantee you won't regret it, that there won't come a day when you both grow tired of each other? Besides, you came out this time under the pretense of studying abroad. After you go back, your father will speak up for you and won't let your mother make things too ugly."
Caroline kept her head down and didn't say anything.
Alexander hid in the shadows, hearing every word clearly. He didn't come out, and didn't dare make a sound. He didn't want to influence Caroline's choice in any way.
He told himself that if Caroline decided to return to the Neville mansion, he wouldn't blame her. He loved her, loved her enough to give her complete freedom of choice. Even if this decision would push him toward the worst outcome, he wouldn't hold any resentment against her.
Caroline didn't answer Irene on the spot. After Caroline left, Irene suddenly spoke up.
"Mr. Hamilton, since you've heard everything, come out."
Alexander froze for a moment, then slowly emerged from the shadows.
Irene continued washing clothes without looking up, her voice very calm. "Mr. Hamilton, I know you heard. You might be angry, but I'm telling the truth. Ms. Neville comes from a good family. If she goes back, her future will be easier. If she really leaves with you, she'll lose a lot. If you truly love her, I hope you won't pressure her or keep urging her to leave with you."
"I never planned to pressure her." Alexander's response was steady.
Irene looked up at him. "Mr. Hamilton?"
Alexander walked over and squatted down beside her, reaching out to help her scrub the clothes. His movements were clumsy, but his attitude was sincere.
"Irene, at your age, is it hard to believe in promises made by people our age, and hard to believe in so-called love?"
Irene didn't answer, but her silence was enough to show her attitude.
Alexander looked at her and spoke clearly, word by word. "I won't force Caroline to leave with me. I respect every decision she makes."
He paused, his tone becoming more firm. "But I can promise you, my feelings for Caroline are real, and they won't change. I used to think I understood love. With Edith, it was just fondness, just at the stage of liking someone. But after being with Caroline, I finally understand what real love is. Real love isn't possession, and it's not asking the other person to become someone else for you. Real love is letting them be who they are."
"So whatever Caroline chooses, I'll support her. Even if the situation completely falls apart, I'll stand in front of her. Even if one day she stops loving me, my promise to her won't change."
Irene had to admit these words struck her. She'd seen too many people make beautiful promises they could never keep. But when Alexander spoke these words, there was no escape route in his eyes.
He really didn't try to persuade Caroline. He just waited, quietly waited for her to make her own decision.
Until one night, Caroline suddenly came to Alexander's room.
She stood in the doorway holding a pillow, her voice soft. "Can I sleep with you tonight?"
Alexander froze. The next second, as if choking on his own breath, he coughed violently several times. While coughing, he nodded hard, as if afraid she would change her mind the next second, or disappear from before his eyes.
Caroline walked to the bed and lay down beside him.
That night Alexander was so nervous he barely dared to move. His whole body was tense, not daring to lean toward her, afraid of offending her.
But Caroline turned toward him first. She gently placed her hand on his tense arm, her fingertips soft, but her movement clear.
"Irene talked to you that day, didn't she?"
Alexander's heart immediately jumped. He knew Caroline would give him an answer tonight. He longed for that answer, but also feared it, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Caroline continued, her voice steady. "I know what Irene is worried about. In the Neville Family home, besides my father, she's one of the few people who truly cares about me. But Alexander, you know what? I'm willing to leave with you, not just because I love you, but also because I don't want to go back to that home."
Alexander froze. He turned to look at Caroline. "Why?"