The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max) novel Chapter 1
Felicia was twenty-five weeks pregnant when she caught her husband cheating at the hospital. Max, tall and striking in his black coat, was shielding a gorgeous, delicate girl in his arms. The girl was wrapped in a white fur coat, with rosy cheeks and a tiny face tucked into a soft wool scarf, her features perfect like a porcelain doll.
Felicia gripped her prenatal test results so tightly her knuckles turned white. The icy wind stung her cheeks, but it was nothing compared to the ache twisting inside her chest.
Max spotted her from across the parking lot. His face was unreadable, without even a flicker of guilt. In fact, he gently held the car door for the girl, his movements so caring it almost didn’t seem real. The cold, untouchable Max could actually be soft and attentive—just not with her.
The girl seemed to notice Felicia staring. She paused, shot Felicia a puzzled look, then turned to Max. “Why is that old lady watching you, Max? Do you know her?”
Felicia couldn’t hear the words, but she recognized the way the girl’s lips formed “old lady.” The sting of it made Felicia want to laugh. She was only twenty-four, but with her rounder frame, tired face, baggy black coat, and wool hat, plus the awkward heaviness of late pregnancy, she probably did look like someone at least a decade older than this dazzling, fresh-faced girl.
Max didn’t even glance her way as he helped the girl into the car. Felicia stood there, frozen, watching them drive off. Her whole body felt numb. Their marriage had never been a fairytale. It was a shotgun wedding, a deal made because she was pregnant. For Max, the golden boy who had everything, their marriage was just a stain. The baby in her belly was proof of the trap she’d set for him. He hated her for it.
But she had been in love with him in secret for eight years. She knew she’d never be good enough. All she could do was work hard, chase after his footsteps, and try to make herself better. Eventually, she’d become his assistant, and for a while, that had been enough—just being near him.
That night, though, had ruined everything. It didn’t just break Max—it destroyed her pride, her dignity, everything she had left when she stood in front of him. She’d never forget the way he looked at her afterward, like she was something filthy he couldn’t get off his skin.
A tear slipped down Felicia’s cheek, hot against the cold wind. A sharp pain shot through her belly, making her gasp. She grabbed her stomach and leaned against a stone pillar, struggling to catch her breath. A nurse noticed and hurried over, guiding her into a consultation room.
The maid muttered under her breath, “She waddles around like a monster. So embarrassing.”
Back in her room, Felicia sat down on the bed and stared at nothing. She felt empty, lost. Neither Max nor his family had ever really accepted her. Miranda had been the one to push for the marriage, but only because Max’s grandfather Brysen was seriously ill and Felicia showed up pregnant at just the right time. Miranda thought a wedding and a baby might cheer Brysen up and help him recover.
Maybe it was just a coincidence, but Brysen did start to get better. After that, Miranda’s attitude softened a little. Still, the rest of the Hawthornes looked down on Felicia, never missing a chance to remind her she didn’t belong.
Her checkup today had been to confirm the baby’s gender. It was a girl.
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The readers' comments on the novel: The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max)
Is this coming to an end...
Oh nooo!! Don’t tell me Max will get washed ashore on a remote island then loses all his memory, then falls inlove with the local girl who saves him. Then when he meets Felicia again he won’t recognize her and breaks her heart again. Additional plot twist is that Felicia is pregnant with their 2nd child. Please pleaseee don’t give us this scenario.. LOL!!!...
If Max can be forgiven Darrin can be forgiven. And I do not like this marriage business but if it has to happen I hope after he gets stranded on some remote island alone while Felicia and his family fight over custody she wins and also gets half his estate. Then by time he comes back she's found having and remarried. Lol...
The writer is good. They're making me interested in Max. I won't say like yet....
It seems the only one who hasn't suffered is Max. Even his family fakes anger and disappointment all their own doing so they suffer a little. Everyone else has suffered. Luke and Jeremy unrequited. Felicia has suffered the most from family to unrequited to romance to long suffering Mother. Even baby Anne never had a mother til Felicia suffered then came back only to suffer some more. lol...
Oh no what did Colton do?... I have a bone to pick. When Olisha had to go the hospital why beg for Felicia? When she so loved Max? Seemed like she was in on the setup for Felicia to see a suicide for the 2nd time orchestrated by holden and his brother again. I might drop this series it's becoming endless with no real satisfaction for me. I don't need it to end because it's like a soap opera but if things don't end up making sense, tying up loose storylines it's gonna get old fast for me. Good luck author....
Anne, I think your baby brother is on the way. Thank goodness it doesn't say that Felicia is crying just like the last time but still, there's no willingness on her part. Max! You need to try harder. Make her fall in love with you again....
The writer did a big one with Jeremy's speech to Max. He said almost everything that needed to be said. I have wanted Felicia or someone who knows the past to just tell that whole stinking family what they did and how disgusting they are and what they're doing now how unfair it all is to Felicia. A pity it was only Max but he really needed to hear this (plus more)....
I love the chase of this novel, how you’ve build each of the characters. They almost seem like real. I feel like I know them irl. But however I would like to know what’s max’s pov and what’s going on in his head. I truly believe max’s just a grey character. And also please please please update more!!!...
I was really hoping that Max and Felicia would end up together, but why did Max do that to Felicia? 😭 Is that his way of making Felicia overcome the trauma Holden caused her? I don't think that's helping at all. I just hope Max's character has some redeeming qualities in the coming chapters....