Chapter 110
Chapter 0110
As the news of Mary’s pregnancy weighed on Peter, forcing him to make a difficult yet loving decision, in Valeria, Maximus visited Alexia at her apartment. He told her the divorce had been finalized, and he was now a free man.
“That’s excellent news, love!” Alexia exclaimed, practically jumping with joy.
“I know,” Maximus replied, though his tone was subdued. “It’s just… I’m a little wary of how easily Grandma made it happen. Knowing her, I can’t let my guard down.”
“Relax, love! What matters is that you’re legally single now. We can finally go out in the open and start planning our wedding!” Alexia said, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she began to massage his shoulders.
“Hey… You know I love you, right?” Maximus said, as though reassuring himself that she was the woman he was meant to be with.
“Of course, my love! And I love you too. You’ve made me so happy today! No more hiding from your family; we can finally make our relationship public again,” Alexia said, her face alight with happiness. Yet, beneath her glowing expression, her true thoughts churned–she was reveling in the triumph of taking from Mary the man who should have been hers all along.
Alexia leaned in, giving Maximus a passionate kiss as he sat on the sofa. She began unbuttoning his shirt, and when he realized what she was suggesting, He paused.
“Wait! Don’t you think we might hurt the baby?” he asked, glancing at her belly.
“I’ve read about it–it’s fine. It won’t hurt anything,” she assured him confidently.
Satisfied, Maximus gave in, and their night turned passionate. Later, Alexia fell asleep, but Maximus couldn’t. He got up and wandered to the bedroom terrace, staring out at the city lights. His mind drifted back to memories of Mary. He couldn’t shake the feeling of loss, wondering why it hurt so much when he had never truly loved her. He had tried to make things right before learning he’d be a father, but those good intentions now felt meaningless.
Lost in his thoughts, Maximus eventually returned to bed and wrapped his arms around the woman he believed he should have married from the start.
The next morning, at the Palmer Group office, Catherine arrived to speak with Leonard. After the last family meeting, Leonard had reluctantly resumed the presidency of the company. Marcus Bartz had refused the role, and Peter’s unwillingness to return to Valeria left Leonard with no choice but to take
control.
“My son! How are you? How’s it going being back at work?” Catherine asked cheerfully.
“Mom, don’t tease me! I thought I could finally retire and relax, and now look at me–back at the desk,” Leonard said, signing documents as Matthew handed them over.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” Matthew said politely before leaving the office.
Chapter 01 10
+25 BONUS
“You know why I’m here, don’t you?” Catherine asked
“Yes, Mom, I know. So, what did Peter say?
“You already know… Peter refuses to return to Valeria His life is in Galea, his business is there, and now Mary lives with him. I can’t shake this guilt.”
“Why guilt?”
“Because I all but pushed Mary into Maximus’s arms without considering Peter’s feelings. Now I realize Mary would have been far better off with your younger son. By now, you might be a grandfather, and I, a great–grandmother. Instead, look how it all turned out. I feel so responsible!”
“You couldn’t have known how things would play out. You did what you thought was right. I failed Peter years ago too. I never should have sent him to Galea. He hates me for it. No matter how I try to reconnect, he won’t even let me know where he lives.
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