Amber wanted to ask more, but she held back. Curiosity buzzed in her chest, yet now wasn’t the time.
Inside the main hall, Nate and Hope were already there. Both families’ elders filled the space, chatting and laughing. The air was warm and lively, the kind of scene that made a house feel like home.
When they stepped in, none of the elders seemed surprised. It was as if one extra person hardly made a difference in this big family.
Anne and Mandy greeted the adults, polite and sweet, making their rounds. Instantly, everyone’s attention shifted to the two kids.
Max and Wyatt followed suit, offering their greetings. Felicia, calm and respectful, only greeted Nate and Hope.
Miranda and Brysen sat off to the side. Brysen’s gaze was sharp, a flicker of disapproval in his eyes, while Miranda’s expression was harder to read.
Nate acknowledged them with a nod.
Hope smiled, genuine and warm. “You get more beautiful every time I see you. It’s been too long.”
Felicia smiled back, her posture graceful. “Thank you, ma’am. You’re looking wonderful yourself.”
Hope’s laughter filled the room, softening the mood.
Felicia asked after Nate’s health, suddenly realizing how long it had been since she last visited. Work had kept her running.
“These old bones are just fine,” Nate replied, waving it off.
Their easy exchange didn’t go unnoticed. The others watched, taking in the peaceful vibe between Felicia, Nate, and Hope.
Meanwhile, Felicia didn’t spare a glance for the Hawthornes. The feeling was mutual. No one from their side tried to speak with her.
Suddenly, Anne darted away from Brandon and bounced over to Felicia, grabbing her hand. “Mommy.”
The Hawthornes froze, caught off guard by Anne’s happy call.
Felicia bent down, her voice gentle. “What’s up, sweetheart?”
Anne greeted all the elders again, then announced, loud and proud, “Evelynn is going to be my mommy now!”
She spoke with confidence, not a trace of nerves.
Miranda finally responded, her voice layered with affection. “That’s wonderful. Anne has a mommy now.”
Rose replied, “He had to work late today, something came up last minute. He couldn’t make it.”
Miranda sighed. “He’s always so busy.”
“It’s the end of the year. There’s just too much to do,” Rose explained.
Miranda let it drop and didn’t push further.
During lunch, the elders started talking about Luke again, hinting that maybe it was time he started thinking about settling down.
Daniel spoke up, reassuring them. “Luke knows what he wants, Grandma, Grandpa. You don’t need to worry about him.”
That seemed to settle things for now.
Rose glanced over at Max and Felicia. Anne sat between them, the picture of a perfect little family. Rose felt a pang in her chest, a quiet sigh slipping out.
After lunch, Max’s phone rang. It was Darin calling.

Comments
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....