The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max) novel Chapter 12

Felicia tried to sound casual, but Greg could see right through her. He knew she was struggling and wished he could say something comforting, but all he managed was, “Give it time. Things will get better, I promise.” Felicia just nodded quietly.

When they reached the office, Felicia grabbed her lunch container, said goodbye to Greg, and headed inside. She’d barely made it through the doors before she spotted Max. He almost never stayed at home, and honestly, the only reason she’d stuck with her job after getting demoted was just to see him every day. Except, these last few months, he’d barely shown up at work. Even when he did, he treated her like she didn’t exist. She hadn’t expected to bump into him two days in a row.

Max stepped out of his car looking like he’d just walked off a magazine cover. His suit was crisp, his shoulders broad, his waist trim, and those long legs made him look like he owned the world. His features were sharp and striking, always catching people’s attention, and he carried himself with this confident, commanding energy. Even usually so cold and distant, he could be surprisingly gentle to the right person.

That memory stung. She looked down, moved aside, and greeted him quietly. “Morning, Mr. Hawthorne.”

Max barely glanced her way, his face turning even colder. He walked past her without a word and disappeared into the executive elevator. Only after he was gone did Felicia let herself breathe again and head for the employee elevator.

Yesterday had been a mess with Sandy. Today, Sandy was just as unfriendly, assigning someone else to handle Felicia’s work transition. Felicia didn’t care about Sandy’s attitude. All she wanted was to finish up and get out.

When her morning tasks ended, Felicia glanced out the window. The weather was perfect, and there was a park right behind the building. She grabbed her lunch and decided to eat outside, hoping some fresh air would help clear her head.

She took the elevator down and crossed the lobby. Two men were coming in. One was Kennedy. The guy next to him looked like one of Max’s friends—tall, polished, someone she didn’t recognize. Felicia kept her gaze low and tried to slip past them.

Felicia’s grip tightened on her lunchbox. Humiliation rushed over her, hot and sharp. She tried to step around him again, but Kennedy stuck out his leg.

She didn’t even see it coming. She stumbled and crashed down, her knees slamming into the hard floor with a painful thud. Her face went pale, pain shooting through her. Her lunchbox flew out of her hands, chicken soup and rice spilling everywhere.

From a few steps away, Darin, who’d been watching the whole thing, looked shocked.