How did Ned & Alex think this would end?

Before all of this became heard of around the globe, how did they think this would end for them? Knowing this has been going on for roughly a year give or take, did they ever discuss what direction they’re taking this affair? If they kept the adultery more under wraps & not so public, were they gonna keep going with their relationship & eventually spilt up with their significant others or keep going until they got bored of each other? It’s so odd that they became SO cocky with their affair that they went fully public about it with no second thought behind it. So I wonder if they discussed their future together or didn’t think that far ahead bc of “dangerous love”. It really doesn’t matter too much at this point but the thought still crosses my mind. Either way Ariel & Will didn’t deserve any of this., I hope they can someday live in peace in spite of this.