The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max) novel Chapter 53

Nate’s face tightened. “Let’s go!”

He turned and headed for the car parked just ahead. Aidan hurried over and pulled the door open, and Nate climbed in without another word.

Max helped Andrea into her car, watching as the black sedan rolled past before he looked away and got into his own.

Time slipped by. Golden ginkgo leaves drifted down in the cold wind, and the days kept getting colder.

Felicia’s belly seemed to grow bigger every day. She could barely walk for long without needing to sit and catch her breath. Getting dressed was a hassle, especially with pants—it took forever just to pull them on. She was up constantly at night, her back ached all the time, and sometimes her leg would cramp so badly it jolted her awake. Even breathing felt like a struggle now and then.

She and Max still kept their distance. They lived under the same roof, but she always tried to avoid having meals with him. And when they did run into each other, he acted like she wasn’t even there. Felicia had gotten used to it by now.

At the end of November, Max went away for a week on business. Marian reminded her to pack his suitcase, but Felicia shook her head. She didn’t see the point in doing something that would just annoy him.

With a huff, Marian packed his things herself.

While Max was away, Felicia went home to her parents’. Ava stayed with her every night, and it was such a relief to have someone looking out for her.

The day before Max was set to return, Miranda called to give her a heads-up.

Felicia had no choice but to go back.

She figured it was a good time to talk to Max about staying with her family for a while. As her pregnancy went on, it was getting harder to manage things by herself.

After lunch, she sat on the sofa, half-watching TV, half-resting.

Sometime around two, she heard the front door and glanced over.

Marian hurried forward, setting out slippers for Max. He was talking on his phone as he changed his shoes, his face dark and unreadable.

Max didn’t say a word. He just went straight upstairs.

The Hawthorne family wasn’t just in business. Some of them worked in politics too. Max’s dad, Brandon, held a high position in the government.

That meant Max usually got first-hand news on new policies and could land the best government contracts. So if something had gone wrong, it was a big deal.

When his call ended, Felicia knocked on the door.

“Come in.” His voice was cold, almost sharp.

Felicia pushed the door open, but stayed in the doorway. “Grandma just called. She said we’re having dinner at the estate tonight.”

Max pulled out his chair and glanced at her. “Make me a coffee,” he said, his tone flat.

Felicia nodded. “Okay.”

She went to make the coffee and brought it upstairs. Max was at his computer, deep into his work. Felicia set the cup down and quietly left the room.