"You wouldn't speak to me for two days after I killed Ed. You didn't like the way I dressed or the way I ran the business. I thought you were tired of me. Then in Texas when you said we should think about it - and then the next morning you went down to see your father … what was that all about?"
His gaze wandered over her face. Finally he kneeled in front of her so that their eyes were on the level.
"I don't even know where to start. Obviously we have misinterpreted each other to the point of total confusion."
He looked away and ran a hand through his hair as he gazed absently at the floor. Finally his gaze returned to hers. His solemn expression made a chill go up her spine. He hadn't been considering divorce before, but now she had put it in his mind.
"I can't begin to describe to you what was going through my mind after you fell off that cliff. I was angry because you went up there alone - scared half out of my mind with the thought that you could have been killed. You were dressing different and acting different - honestly Carmen, I didn't know what to expect next."
She looked into his eyes and spoke softly. "So you left me."
He stood and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I told you why I left - and I don't want to get into that conversation again. You made it clear enough what I did wrong and I've apologized. It won't happen again. I thought I needed to get away for a while so I could think clearly. I felt like everything was closing in around me. I wanted to talk to you, but I didn't want to betray Morino. I'm sorry I betrayed you instead."
Yes, she'd made it clear enough alright. She'd accused him of ditching his responsibilities and being a poor husband and father. She stood and met his gaze.
"I was angry and hurt, Alex. You're a wonderful father and husband. I shouldn't have said what I did when I talked to you on the phone. I lost my temper and said things I didn't mean."
"You meant it," he said.
She nodded. "Maybe, but I didn't know what I was talking about. I was scared and jumping to conclusions. You were right. The children were picking up on my fears."
He sighed audibly and rubbed the back of his neck again.
"What were you to think? Gerald warned me, but I thought he didn't have enough experience to know. If I hadn't left, you wouldn't have been molested."